Numerical Simulation of Unsteady Flow in a Scroll Compressor

A new template simulation tool is developed for scroll compressors/expanders. This scroll template generates a high quality multi-block structured mesh from the outlines of stationary and orbiting rotors, which are inputs from a user. The mesh movement is also automatically calculated to account for every position of the orbiting rotor, maintaining good grid quality and smooth movement throughout the whole revolution. The new approach is demonstrated on a generic scroll compressor with a dynamically controlled reed valve at the discharge port. It is shown that the new template greatly simplifies the setup of the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation and can significantly reduce turn-around time, thus making it an ideal candidate for a Three-Dimensional (3D) CFD based design tool.