Improving screw compressor housing design using simulation

A Johnson Controls Inc. screw compressor was investigated and the simulation model of the compressor was first validated experimentally. Simulation results were compared to measurements to adjust the model and the model was then used to simulate the acoustic performance for four redesigns. Results include validation and the successful application of the model to drive design changes for the rotary-screw compressor. The results show that the sound power is especially high at the four pumping frequencies, 490, 980, 1470, and 1960 Hz. redesigns. For consistency, 2% damping was selected for all modes for the forced-response analyses instead of the measured damping. The simulation results indicate that a thicker cylinder would suppress the sound power at the second and fourth pumping frequencies without adversely impacting the sound at the first and third pumping frequencies.