Numerical Investigation of Compression and Expansion Process of Twin-Screw Machine Using R-134a

Chia-Cheng Tsao, Wen-Kai Lin, Kai-Yuan Lai, Savas Yavuzkurt and Yao-Hsien Liu ()
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Chia-Cheng Tsao: Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300093, Taiwan
Wen-Kai Lin: Fu Sheng Industrial Co., Ltd., New Taipei City 241020, Taiwan
Kai-Yuan Lai: Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300093, Taiwan
Savas Yavuzkurt: Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300093, Taiwan
Yao-Hsien Liu: Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300093, Taiwan

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 8, 1-14

Abstract: Increasing the efficiency of twin-screw machines is beneficial for gas compression and expansion applications. We used a computation fluid dynamic approach to obtain the flow field and efficiency of a twin-screw machine that used R-134a as the working fluid. The leakage flow and sealing lines were obtained to study their geometrical effects during the compression and expansion process. The effects of the wrap angle (280°, 290°, and 300°) and pressure ratios on the compression efficiency were studied. During the compression process, the volumetric efficiency was more than 70% regardless of the wrap angle. We found that the volumetric efficiency slightly decreased when the wrap angle increased. However, the effect of the wrap angle on the isentropic efficiency was not substantial. An increase in the pressure ratio decreased the mass flow rate and increased the leakage flow. This screw machine can also be operated in an expansion process, and the simulated expansion ratio was 3:1. However, this expansion ratio contributed to an underexpanded condition, which led to a lower volumetric and isentropic efficiencies compared with the original built-in expansion ratio scenario.

Keywords: twin screw compressor; expander; wrap angle; twin-mesh (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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