What is compressor inlet guide vane?
Inlet Guide Vanes (IGVs) and Inlet Butterfly Valves (IBVs) perform an important task—to regulate the airflow and pressure that enters a centrifugal compressor’s first stage of compression. Historically, IBVs had been the industry standard for centrifugal compressors.
What is the purpose of the rotating guide vanes on a centrifugal compressor?
Figure 1:Inlet guide vane assembly mounted to first stage inlet of a centrifugal compressor. Inlet guide vanes impart a whirling motion to the inlet airflow in the same rotational direction as the impeller. This decreases the power required to deliver the rated airflow and pressure.
What is the purpose of compressor variable inlet guide vanes?
Variable Inlet Guide Vanes, with EFS Variable Inlet Guide Vanes (VIGVs) regulate airflow into the Low-Pressure Compressor (LPC) to enhance turbine efficiency at part loads.
Do guide vanes rotate?
The remaining nozzle guide vanes are, in effect, turbine blades attached to a rotating casing, which revolves in the opposite direction to a rotating drum.
How do variable inlet guide vanes work?
HOW IT WORKS: When throttling back the compressor, the inlet vanes impart a whirling motion to the gas flow in the same direction of rotation as the impeller. This motion reduces work input at the impeller, requiring less power to deliver target flow and pressure.
What is vane in turbine?
Guide Vanes are fixed grooves found in turbines that help direct water, gas, or air around bends at maximum efficiency. As Impellers increase or decrease the flow of a substance through a system, Guide Vanes ensure that the substance is passed evenly and as smoothly as possible.
Which is the best inlet guide vane for centrifugal compressors?
Historically, IBVs had been the industry standard for centrifugal compressors. However, in the last twenty years, the IGV has come to the forefront as an option providing additional energy saving benefits. The IBV directs the airflow into the first stage of compression in a straight line.
When to use a variable inlet guide vane?
By replacing a standard inlet butterfly valve with a new inlet guide vane assembly, substantial energy savings can be realized whenever the compressor operates at less than full load or when ambient air temperature is less than design temperature (usually 95°F, 35°C). Many manufacturers offer this option as a retrofit for existing compressors.
How are vanes turned in a centrifugal flow pipe?
They are turned in synchronization by a ring or yoke assembly on the outside of the pipe. Each vane is designed with an airfoil cross-section (similar to an airplane wing) to minimize air resistance when in its full open position (vanes positioned parallel to the air stream).
Which is better a variable speed fan or an inlet vane?
Note that in both of these illustrations, the dashed horsepower curve only applies to the full speed, non-actuated inlet vane fan curve. The chief advantage of the variable speed approach when contrasted to inlet vanes is it does a better job of preserving the fan efficiency.