Numerical Simulation of Gas-Dynamic and Heat-Transfer Processes in Two-Stage, Very High-Pressure Gas Compressors

Very high-pressure gas compressors have been utilized to compress inert gases, liquids, and combustible gaseous mixtures for various industrial applications, e.g., hot isostatic presses and waterjet cuning. In order to design reliable and efficient very high-pressure gas compressors, the compression processes must be fully understood. In this study a numerical simulation of the gas-dyn:tmic and heattransfer processes in a two-stage very high-pressure compressor was conducted to achieve better understanding of rhe compression processes and to aid the design of future compressors. A parametric study was conducted to investigate the effect of various compressor parameters, i.e., interstage volume, dead-end volume, and stroke length, on the compressor performance. Among these parameters, it was found that dead-end volume had the strongest effect on the perfom1nnce of the compressor. A reduced dead-end volume would increase volumetric efficiency and maximum g<ts-phase temperature and pressure m the first-stage cylinder.