Implications of phase change on the aerodynamics of centrifugal compressors for supercritical carbon dioxide applications

Closed Joule-Bryton cycles operating with carbon dioxide in supercritical conditions (sCO2) are nowadays collecting a significant scientific interest, due to their high potential efficiency, the compactness of their components, and the flexibility that makes them suitable to exploit diverse energy sources. However, the technical implementation of sCO2 power systems introduces new challenges related to the design and operation of the components. The compressor, in particular, operates in a thermodynamic condition close to the critical point, whereby the fluid exhibits significant non-ideal gas effects and is prone to phase change in the intake region of the machine. These new challenges require novel design concepts and strategies, as well as proper tools to achieve reliable predictions. In the present study, we consider an exemplary sCO2 power cycle with main compressor operating in proximity to the critical point, with an intake entropy level of the fluid lower than the critical value. In this condition, the phase change occurs as evaporation/flashing, thus resembling cavitation phenomena observed in liquid pumps, even though with specific issues associated to compressibility effects occurring in both the phases. The flow configuration is therefore highly non-conventional and demands the development of proper tools for fluid and flow modeling, which are instrumental for the compressor design. The paper discusses the modeling issues from the thermodynamic perspective and then highlighting the implications on the compressor aerodynamics. We propose tailored models to account for the effect of the phase change in 0D mean-line design tools as well as in fully 3D computational fluid-dynamic (CFD) simulations. In this way, a design strategy is build-up as a combination of mean-line tools, industrial design experience, and CFD for detailed flow analysis. The application of the design strategy reveals that the potential onset of the phase change might alter significantly the performance and operation of the compressor, both in design and in off-design conditions.