Integrally geared compressors (IGCs) comprise single stage impellers installed on the ends of pinion shafts, all driven by a main bull gear (BG) and shaft system. When compared to single shaft multistage centrifugal compressors, the benefits of IGCs include better thermal efficiency, reduced footprint and simple foundation, dispensing with a high speed coupling, as well as better access for maintenance and overhauls. In IGCs, the compression of the process gas induces axial loads on the pinion shafts that are transmitted via thrust collars (TCs) to the main drive shaft and balanced by a single thrust bearing. The TCs, located on either side of pinion gears, slightly overlap with the BG outer diameter to form lentil-shaped lubricant-wetted regions. Archival literature on the design and optimization of TCs is scant, in spite of their widespread usage as they are comprised of simple geometry mechanical elements. This paper presents an analysis of the hydrodynamic film pressure generated in a lubricated TC due to the rotation of both TC and BGs and specified taper angles for both bodies. The model solves the Reynolds equation of hydrodynamic lubrication to predict the operating film thickness that generates a pressure field reacting to impellers' thrust loads, these forces being a function of the pinion speed and the process gas physical properties. The model also predicts performance parameters, such as power loss and axial stiffness, and damping force coefficients. A parametric study brings out the taper angles in the TC and BG that balance the transmitted load with a lesser friction factor and peak pressure, along with large axial stiffness and damping.
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Research-Article
On the Predicted Performance of Oil Lubricated Thrust Collars in Integrally Geared Compressors
Luis San Andrés,
Luis San Andrés
Mast-Childs Chair Professor
Fellow ASME
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
e-mail: Lsanandres@tamu.edu
Fellow ASME
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Texas A&M University
,College Station, TX 77843
e-mail: Lsanandres@tamu.edu
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Travis A. Cable,
Travis A. Cable
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
e-mail: cable.travis@tamu.edu
Texas A&M University
,College Station, TX 77843
e-mail: cable.travis@tamu.edu
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Karl Wygant,
Karl Wygant
Samsung Techwin
,11757 Katy Fwy #110
,Houston, TX 77079
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Andron Morton
Andron Morton
Samsung Techwin
,11757 Katy Fwy #110
,Houston, TX 77079
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Luis San Andrés
Mast-Childs Chair Professor
Fellow ASME
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
e-mail: Lsanandres@tamu.edu
Fellow ASME
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Texas A&M University
,College Station, TX 77843
e-mail: Lsanandres@tamu.edu
Travis A. Cable
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
e-mail: cable.travis@tamu.edu
Texas A&M University
,College Station, TX 77843
e-mail: cable.travis@tamu.edu
Karl Wygant
Samsung Techwin
,11757 Katy Fwy #110
,Houston, TX 77079
Andron Morton
Samsung Techwin
,11757 Katy Fwy #110
,Houston, TX 77079
Contributed by the Structures and Dynamics Committee of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING FOR GAS TURBINES AND POWER. Manuscript received July 21, 2014; final manuscript received August 7, 2014; published online November 18, 2014. Editor: David Wisler.
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. May 2015, 137(5): 052502 (9 pages)
Published Online: May 1, 2015
Article history
Received:
July 21, 2014
Revision Received:
August 7, 2014
Online:
November 18, 2014
Citation
San Andrés, L., Cable, T. A., Wygant, K., and Morton, A. (May 1, 2015). "On the Predicted Performance of Oil Lubricated Thrust Collars in Integrally Geared Compressors." ASME. J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. May 2015; 137(5): 052502. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4028663
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