Turbomachinery CFD Simulation

What is Turbomachinery?

A turbomachine is a device in which energy is exchanged between a rotating element and a fluid flow. Energy can be transferred from a fluid to a turbomachine, as in the case of a turbine, or from a turbomachine to a fluid, as in the case of a compressor.

A normal fan is a turbomachine that creates airflow by turning its blades

Kinds of Turbomachines

The common turbomachines are:

• Wind turbine: It converts the wind energy into mechanical energy and then into electrical energy. These turbomachines are widely used to provide renewable energy.
• Gas turbine: These turbines extract energy from fluid flow in the gas phase. They are used in the Brayton thermal cycle. Gas turbines are commonly found in some thermal power plants and jet engines.
• Steam turbine: These turbines are designed to extract energy from steam flow. Compared to gas turbines, they have much higher temperature resistance. They are used in thermal power plants that operate based on the Rankine cycle. The fluid phase inside the turbine must be steam; if water droplets appear, they can severely damage the turbine blades.
• Hydraulic turbines: These turbines extract energy from the flow of liquid fluids, usually water. They come in different types, such as the Pelton turbine and the Francis turbine. You can see them near the dams of hydropower plants.
• Compressors: These turbomachines are used to increase the pressure and velocity of fluids in the gas phase. There are different types, including axial and centrifugal compressors. Compressors are found in the Brayton thermal cycle, for example, in airplane jet engines.
• Pumps: These turbomachines are used to increase the pressure and speed of fluids in the liquid phase. Pumps are very diverse and include various types such as axial, centrifugal, and piston pumps.
• Fans: These turbomachines are used to create flow and displacement of fluids in the gas phase.

Turbomachines Applications

Turbomachines are used in many industries. Here we mention some of them:

• Aerospace:Turbomachines have many applications in the aerospace industry. Each jet engine operates based on the Brayton cycle, meaning that a compressor and a turbine are integral components of every jet engine. In helicopters, the rotating blades serve as a type of turbomachine. These are just a few examples of the turbomachines used in aerospace. turbomachinery CFD simulations are widely used to study turbomachines in aerospace applications.

Aerospace CFD 

• HVAC:In many HVAC systems, depending on the type, turbomachines are used to pressurize and move the fluid in the refrigeration cycle or heat pump. Additionally, turbomachines are used to circulate air within the environment and the duct system. turbomachinery CFD simulation is a popular method to analyze and optimize turbomachines in HVAC systems.

HVAC CFD 

• Power generation: Turbomachines are utilized in various methods of generating electrical energy, including thermal cycles, hydroelectricity, and wind turbines. Depending on their type, pumps, compressors, and turbines are employed in heating cycles.
• Water management: In many water and sewage facilities, various types of pumps are used to move water.
• Construction: : Cylindrical pumps are used to pump cement. These pumps have the ability to increase the fluid’s pressure significantly. It is difficult to study the details of cylindrical pumps working performance experimentally, So turbomachinery CFD simulation is a proper method for this application.
• Transportation: Turbomachines are used in various types of vehicles for fuel transfer, ventilation, cooling systems, etc.

A turboprop engine. From “Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach” by YUNUS A. ÇENGEL And MICHAEL A.BOLES

Simulation of Turbomachines by ANSYS Fluent

In ANSYS Fluent, it is possible to simulate all types of turbomachines and their applications. This software allows for simulations of turbulent fluid flow, heat transfer, chemical reactions, and phase change simultaneously. It can also be coupled with other ANSYS software, such as ANSYS Mechanical, to analyze shape changes and calculate stresses in turbocharger blades of cars.

Many phenomena occurring in turbomachines can be studied using turbomachinery CFD simulations. For instance, cavitation, the formation of bubbles in liquid fluids, can be simulated and investigated using Fluent. These bubbles can damage pump vanes upon impact.
In general, Fluent is highly suitable software for designing, analyzing, optimizing, and troubleshooting all types of turbomachines.

Fluid velocity contour in a centrifugal fan. Simulated with ANSYS Fluent. From “Erosion in Centrifugal Fan CFD Simulation”

CFDLAND expertise in Turbomachines Modeling Using ANSYS Fluent Software

Our experts at CFDLAND simulate all types of turbomachines efficiently with ANSYS Fluent. Trust us and order your projects through Order Project. You will be surprised by the quality and accuracy of our work.

We have completed numerous turbomachine projects, which you can explore above this page. Dive into them; perhaps you will find the project you are looking for. You can also view examples of our projects in CFD Shop covering all fields of CFD simulation.