A novel method for rotor profile optimization of high temperature screw expanders employed in waste heat recovery systems

International Journal of Energy ResearchVolume 45, Issue 6 p. 8551-8563 RESEARCH ARTICLE A novel method for rotor profile optimization of high temperature screw expanders employed in waste heat recovery systems Zhaorui Zhao, Corresponding Author Zhaorui Zhao zrzhao@usst.edu.cn orcid.org/0000-0001-7139-6960 School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China Correspondence Zhaorui Zhao, School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China. Email: zrzhao@usst.edu.cnSearch for more papers by this authorHao Yuan, Hao Yuan School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China Department of power system, Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute (SMDERI), Shanghai, ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorYafen Tian, Yafen Tian orcid.org/0000-0002-8932-5199 School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorHua Zhang, Hua Zhang School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, ChinaSearch for more papers by this author Zhaorui Zhao, Corresponding Author Zhaorui Zhao zrzhao@usst.edu.cn orcid.org/0000-0001-7139-6960 School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China Correspondence Zhaorui Zhao, School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China. Email: zrzhao@usst.edu.cnSearch for more papers by this authorHao Yuan, Hao Yuan School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China Department of power system, Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute (SMDERI), Shanghai, ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorYafen Tian, Yafen Tian orcid.org/0000-0002-8932-5199 School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorHua Zhang, Hua Zhang School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, ChinaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 04 January 2021 https://doi.org/10.1002/er.6392 Zhaorui Zhao and Hao Yuan contributed equally to this work. Funding information: Shanghai Sailing Program, Grant/Award Number: 20YF1431700 Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Summary High temperature expanders have always been employed in industrial waste heat recovery systems, where twin-screw expanders were frequently adopted. However, the significant thermal deformation of rotors contributes to much technical difficulty on the designation and manufacturing of high temperature twin-screw expanders. The profile should be optimized with consideration of its thermal deformation in high temperature working conditions. In this article, a novel method for twin-screw expander profile optimization is developed. The thermal deformation of rotors is considered with meshing pair rules and interlobe clearance presetting. Theoretical analysis on interlobe clearance is made any steam inlet temperature from 20°C to 400°C, while experimental facility was built to figure out its reliability at high temperature. The optimized profile proved the effectiveness of this method. The clearance decreases significantly, decreasing from 1.28 mm at the working temperature of 20°C to 0.16 mm at 400°C. The testing results illustrated that the significant thermal deformation of rotors causes much interlobe abrasion once the operating temperature reached 400°C. With clearance of 0.1 mm and the radius correction angle of 0.0758°, the screw expander was proved to be reliably working at 400°C. Open Research DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT The data that support the findings of this study are available from SMDERI. Restrictions apply to the availability of these data, which were used under license for this study. Data are available from the author with the permission of SMDERI. Volume45, Issue6Special Issue: Progress in Alternative Fuels and EnergiesMay 2021Pages 8551-8563 RelatedInformation