Heat transfer-deformation analysis and optimization of air-cooled reciprocating compressor cylinders under heat-flow-solid coupling

Abstract

Heat transfer deterioration and deformation can jeopardize the operating safety of compressor-air-cooled cylinders. To comprehend the heat transfer-deformation mechanism, enhance the heat dissipation and cooling effects, and reduce the deformation effect, a study on the control and optimization of heat transfer-deformation of compressor cylinders under the influence of multi-field coupling was conducted. The orthogonal experiment method is used to examine the effects of rib height, air chamber width, and working wall thickness on the cylinder's heat transfer properties and deformation effect. The results show that the average temperatures of the exhaust chamber and the working chamber of the air-cooled cylinder are higher, at 99.2 °C and 96 °C, respectively, and the proportion of the hot zone is as high as 44.1 %. The maximum radial deformation of each section of the working chamber and the maximum deformation of the cylinder are 0.223 mm and 0.451 mm, respectively. Through orthogonal experimentation and range analysis, it was found that the height of the cylinder rib plate has the greatest influence on the deformation. Besides, the cylinder structure is optimized, and the average temperatures of the exhaust chamber and the working chamber of the optimized cylinder are reduced to 98.4 °C and 95.5 °C, respectively. The maximum radial deformation is suppressed to 0.193 mm and 0.440 mm, respectively, preventing the sealing failure of the cylinder's working chamber and guaranteeing the compressor's operation efficiency. This study provides theoretical guidance for the optimization of heat transfer, deformation control, and the standardized design of reciprocating compressor cylinders.