IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v314y2025ics0360544224039707.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

CFD Analysis of lab-scale prototypes two-phase fluid flow twin-scroll compressor and expander

Author

Listed:
  • Lyu, Wenjing
  • Luzi, Giovanni
  • Delgado, Antonio
  • Schellin, Thomas E.

Abstract

Computational Fluid Dynamics is a crucial tool for designing Positive Displacement machines. In this regard, we have developed a Computational Fluid Dynamics in-house solver to predict phase change phenomena inside the chambers of twin-scroll compressors and expanders handling two-phase fluid flow. The main numerical assessments of this work include velocity and pressure distribution, average inlet and outlet mass flow rates, vapor condensation and liquid evaporation phenomena, as well as isentropic, adiabatic, and volumetric efficiencies. These are essential for determining whether the machines experience excessive vibrations or work under overloaded conditions. The numerical results obtained with our solver align well with those obtained with a Deterministic Model found in existing literature. Additionally, the pressure and velocity distribution inside the scroll machines are similar to those reported in numerical studies of single-phase flow scroll compressors and expanders available in the literature.

Suggested Citation

  • Lyu, Wenjing & Luzi, Giovanni & Delgado, Antonio & Schellin, Thomas E., 2025. "CFD Analysis of lab-scale prototypes two-phase fluid flow twin-scroll compressor and expander," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:314:y:2025:i:c:s0360544224039707
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.134192
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544224039707
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2024.134192?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ziviani, D. & Gusev, S. & Lecompte, S. & Groll, E.A. & Braun, J.E. & Horton, W.T. & van den Broek, M. & De Paepe, M., 2016. "Characterizing the performance of a single-screw expander in a small-scale organic Rankine cycle for waste heat recovery," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 155-170.
    2. Kisorthman Vimalakanthan & Matthew Read & Ahmed Kovacevic, 2020. "Numerical Modelling and Experimental Validation of Twin-Screw Expanders," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-13, September.
    3. Emhardt, Simon & Tian, Guohong & Song, Panpan & Chew, John & Wei, Mingshan, 2020. "CFD modelling of small scale ORC scroll expanders using variable wall thicknesses," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    4. Briola, Stefano & Gabbrielli, Roberto & Baccioli, Andrea & Fino, Andrea & Bischi, Aldo, 2021. "Thermo-economic analysis of a novel trigeneration cycle enabled by two-phase machines," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    5. Zhang, Xinjing & Xu, Yujie & Xu, Jian & Sheng, Yong & Zuo, Zhitao & Liu, Jimin & Chen, Haisheng & Wang, Yaodong & Huang, Ye, 2017. "Study on the performance and optimization of a scroll expander driven by compressed air," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(P3), pages 347-358.
    6. Giovanna Cavazzini & Francesco Giacomel & Alberto Benato & Francesco Nascimben & Guido Ardizzon, 2021. "Analysis of the Inner Fluid-Dynamics of Scroll Compressors and Comparison between CFD Numerical and Modelling Approaches," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-28, February.
    7. Rak, Józef & Pietrowicz, Sławomir, 2020. "Internal flow field and heat transfer investigation inside the working chamber of a scroll compressor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    8. Xiaoran Li & Weifeng Wu & Jing Zhang & Chengqiang Guo & Feng Ke & Fuqiang Jiang, 2023. "Analysis of 3D Transient Flow in a High-Speed Scroll Refrigeration Compressor," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-18, March.
    9. Jai Pyo Sung & Joon Hong Boo & Eui Guk Jung, 2020. "Transient Thermodynamic Modeling of a Scroll Compressor Using R22 Refrigerant," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-21, July.
    10. Jian Sun & Bin Peng & Bingguo Zhu, 2021. "Performance Analysis and Test Research of PEMFC Oil-Free Positive Displacement Compressor for Vehicle," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-18, November.
    11. Briola, Stefano & Gabbrielli, Roberto & Fino, Andrea & Bischi, Aldo & Di Marco, Paolo, 2019. "Working fluid selection and extensive sensitivity analysis for the thermodynamic optimization of a novel trigeneration cycle with two-phase expanders and compressors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 709-726.
    12. Ziviani, D. & Gusev, S. & Lecompte, S. & Groll, E.A. & Braun, J.E. & Horton, W.T. & van den Broek, M. & De Paepe, M., 2017. "Optimizing the performance of small-scale organic Rankine cycle that utilizes a single-screw expander," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 416-432.
    13. Briola, Stefano & Di Marco, Paolo & Gabbrielli, Roberto, 2017. "Thermodynamic sensitivity analysis of a novel trigeneration thermodynamic cycle with two-phase expanders and two-phase compressors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 335-350.
    14. Ettore Fadiga & Nicola Casari & Alessio Suman & Michele Pinelli, 2020. "Structured Mesh Generation and Numerical Analysis of a Scroll Expander in an Open-Source Environment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-13, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Massimo Cardone & Bonaventura Gargiulo, 2020. "Numerical Simulation and Experimental Validation of an Oil Free Scroll Compressor," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-11, November.
    2. Jian Sun & Bin Peng & Bingguo Zhu, 2021. "Performance Analysis and Test Research of PEMFC Oil-Free Positive Displacement Compressor for Vehicle," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-18, November.
    3. Xiao Qu & Yantao Shi & Jiongjiong Cai, 2022. "Target Force Curve Searching Method for Axial Electromagnetic Dynamic Balance of Scroll Compressor," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-17, February.
    4. Casari, Nicola & Fadiga, Ettore & Pinelli, Michele & Randi, Saverio & Suman, Alessio & Ziviani, Davide, 2020. "Investigation of flow characteristics in a single screw expander: A numerical approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    5. Murthy, Anarghya Ananda & Krishan, Gopal & Shenoy, Praveen & Patil, Ishwaragouda S, 2024. "Theoretical, CFD modelling and experimental investigation of a four-intersecting-vane rotary expander," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 353(PB).
    6. Tian, Yafen & Xing, Ziwen & He, Zhilong & Wu, Huagen, 2017. "Modeling and performance analysis of twin-screw steam expander under fluctuating operating conditions in steam pipeline pressure energy recovery applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 692-701.
    7. Li, Guoqiang & Lei, Biao & Wu, Yuting & Zhi, Ruiping & Zhao, Yingkun & Guo, Zhiyu & Liu, Guangyu & Ma, Chongfang, 2018. "Influence of inlet pressure and rotational speed on the performance of high pressure single screw expander prototype," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 279-285.
    8. Briola, Stefano & Gabbrielli, Roberto & Baccioli, Andrea & Fino, Andrea & Bischi, Aldo, 2021. "Thermo-economic analysis of a novel trigeneration cycle enabled by two-phase machines," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    9. Cao, Shuang & Xu, Jinliang & Miao, Zheng & Liu, Xiulong & Zhang, Ming & Xie, Xuewang & Li, Zhi & Zhao, Xiaoli & Tang, Guihua, 2019. "Steady and transient operation of an organic Rankine cycle power system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 284-294.
    10. Lei, Biao & Yu, Hai-bin & Li, Guo-qiang & Wu, Yu-Ting & Wang, Wei, 2022. "Thermodynamic investigations on internal generator cooling for hermetic expanders in Organic Rankine Cycles," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    11. Eppinger, Bernd & Zigan, Lars & Karl, Jürgen & Will, Stefan, 2020. "Pumped thermal energy storage with heat pump-ORC-systems: Comparison of latent and sensible thermal storages for various fluids," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    12. Wang, Wei & Qiao, Han & Lei, Biao & Wu, Yu-ting & Ma, Chong-fang, 2021. "Experimental study on the influence of inlet and exhaust pressure loss on the performance of single screw expanders," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 232(C).
    13. Kutlu, Cagri & Erdinc, Mehmet Tahir & Li, Jing & Su, Yuehong & Pei, Gang & Gao, Guangtao & Riffat, Saffa, 2020. "Evaluate the validity of the empirical correlations of clearance and friction coefficients to improve a scroll expander semi-empirical model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    14. Li, Zengyao & Liu, Xiaoyu & Wang, Jun & Liu, Liexin & Wang, Zengli & Cui, Dong, 2025. "Modeling and characterization of scroll expanders with variable wrap thickness used in micro compressed air energy storage systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    15. Yuheng Du & Shuang Li & Michael Pekris & Wei Li & Guohong Tian, 2023. "Surrogate-Assisted Multi-Objective Optimisation of Transcritical Carbon Dioxide Scroll Expander Flank Clearance Based on Computational Fluid Dynamics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-19, July.
    16. Ping, Xu & Yang, Fubin & Zhang, Hongguang & Wang, Yan & Lei, Biao & Wu, Yuting, 2022. "Performance limits of the single screw expander in organic Rankine cycle with ensemble learning and hyperdimensional evolutionary many-objective optimization algorithm intervention," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    17. Shen, Lili & Wang, Wei & Wu, Yuting & Lei, Biao & Zhi, Ruiping & Lu, Yuanwei & Wang, Jingfu & Ma, Chongfang, 2018. "A study of clearance height on the performance of single-screw expanders in small-scale organic Rankine cycles," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 45-55.
    18. Dawo, Fabian & Eyerer, Sebastian & Pili, Roberto & Wieland, Christoph & Spliethoff, Hartmut, 2021. "Experimental investigation, model validation and application of twin-screw expanders with different built-in volume ratios," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(PA).
    19. Yubo Zhang & Bin Peng & Pengcheng Zhang & Jian Sun & Zhixiang Liao, 2024. "Key Technologies and Application of Electric Scroll Compressors: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-18, April.
    20. Guelpa, Elisa & Bischi, Aldo & Verda, Vittorio & Chertkov, Michael & Lund, Henrik, 2019. "Towards future infrastructures for sustainable multi-energy systems: A review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 2-21.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:314:y:2025:i:c:s0360544224039707. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.