Abstract
The scroll compressor serves as a pivotal component in compressed air energy storage (CAES) systems, where a comprehensive understanding of transient flow properties is imperative for optimizing structural design and enhancing compression efficiency. In this study, a numerical computational method is developed to investigate the dynamic flow behaviors of a scroll compressor within in a CAES framework. Furthermore, the influence of pressure ratio on air compression and energy storage performance is also analyzed. The computational results reveal that the pressure distribution within the compression chamber is homogeneous, accompanied by rapid air diffusion. In contrast, the velocity distribution exhibits significant spatial variations, with pronounced unevenness intensifying as the compression process progresses. Notably, the vortices and fluctuations in airflow are intensified in regions with steep pressure gradients. The temperature distribution is influenced by both pressure and velocity, leading to a higher temperature observed in the central compression chamber. Moreover, promotion of the pressure ratio results in a substantial increase in energy storage capacity where the energy storage capacity per unit volume of air is improved by 63.7% as pressure ratio increases to 5. While the instability of flow in compression chamber is enhanced, and the maximum temperature is promoted which may pose a risk of overheating, reducing the system operation stability and thermal efficiency. Thus, the structure of the scroll compression and its operation conditions can be optimized based on the analysis of flow details, ultimately aiming to improve system efficiency and reduce thermal losses.
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