Energy Storage Science and Technology ›› 2024, Vol. 13 ›› Issue (6): 1940-1962.doi: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2024.0057

• Energy Storage System and Engineering • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Research progress on flow and control of compressor tip clearance

Wenxin HAN1,2(), Xuehui ZHANG1,2(), Jian XU3, Xin JIANG1, Lihong FU1,4, Wenbin GUO1,2, Haisheng CHEN1,2   

  1. 1.Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100190, China
    2.University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    3.General Office, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100045, China
    4.Institute for Energy Studies, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang, China
  • Received:2024-01-17 Revised:2024-03-03 Online:2024-06-28 Published:2024-06-26
  • Contact: Xuehui ZHANG E-mail:hanwenxin@iet.cn;zhangxuehui@iet.cn

Abstract:

Compressed air energy storage is regarded as one of the most promising technologies for physical energy storage, as the compressor's performance plays a crucial role in determining the economic viability and efficiency of the system. The efficiency of the compressor is significantly influenced by its tip-clearing flow, owing to its complex three-dimensional flow characteristics. This flow affects the structural changes within the internal flow field of the compressor, marking it as a key factor in the compressor's performance. Tip clearance flow remains a challenging and crucial topic in this field owing to its complex flow properties and significant effect on the aerodynamic design of the compressor. This study classifies and summarizes the mechanisms and research significance of blade tip clearance flow across various compressor types: shrouded and unshrouded axial compressors, as well as open/semi-open and closed centrifugal compressors. According to the flow characteristics of compressors, the research progress on blade tip clearance flow domestically and abroad is further reviewed. The key findings include: unsteady tip clearance in unshrouded axial-flow compressors, which is closely related to stall, blade noise, and vibration, underscoring the need to optimize tip design. Shrouded axial compressors have received little attention owing to the lack of experimental data and limited flow control methods. The application of control technologies in different fields could be beneficial. For centrifugal processors, future studies should investigate how variable clearance characteristics and circumferential inhomogeneity affect the flow structure and improve the adaptability of flow field variation. Future research should focus on the application and popularization of high-precision numerical simulation methods, attempts at cross-domain control technology, and the exploration of composite structures.

Key words: compressed air energy storage, compressor, tip clearance flow, flow control techniques

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