The Forecasting of the Single-row Reciprocating Expander Temperature Fields

Abstract

The single-row reciprocating expander units and elements heat flows and temperature state forecasting results obtained on the basis of the programme KOMDET-M and calculation complex ANSYS are represented in the paper. The single-row expander temperature field dependence on the moving and fixed stage elements design features and materials properties, exhaust chamber and outlet parth geometry, external and internal thermal insulation availability and unit base elements cooling methods was examined in the course of numerical experiment. Isentropic efficiency ηs which maximum level corresponds to the gas final temperature minimum of the stage exhaust chamber Tf is accepted as the perfection criterion of the obtained engineering solutions. The application of the expander stage nonmetallic body having additional internal thermal insulation combined with defining and calculation explanation of optimal volume values, heat exchange surface area, exhaust chamber channels form and section as well as advanced valves and base elements cooling schemes at the design stage was shown to produce a positive effect in low and medium pressure low-consumption expanders at the shaft speed of n ≤ 50 s-1.