RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR CYLINDER’S COOLING: A NUMERICAL APPROACH USING CFD WITH CONJUGATE HEAT TRANSFER

The working cycle of a reciprocating compressor is characterized by heat generation, mainly due to compression transformation and friction phenomena. The main consequences are a reduction of the volumetric efficiency and an increase in the gas discharge temperature. Current regulations such as API618 for reciprocating compressors require a cylinder cooling system. Therefore, a proper design of the cooling circuit is needed in order to achieve the best balance between refrigerating potential and system capacity. A systematic methodology for the evaluation of the heat transfer process is essential and since experimental characterization of the circuit is complex and case-dependent, the use of a numerical technique is the most favorable and generalizable approach. Within this scenario, 3D analysi