Open AccessCFD and experimental investigation into a non‐intrusive method for measuring cooling air mass flow rate through a synchronous generator
Author(s) -
Bersch Kevin,
Connor Peter H.,
Eastwick Carol N.,
Galea Michael
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
the journal of engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2051-3305
DOI - 10.1049/joe.2018.8236
Subject(s) - computational fluid dynamics , mass flow rate , mass flow , volumetric flow rate , pressure drop , flow (mathematics) , mass flow meter , mechanics , airflow , generator (circuit theory) , air mass (solar energy) , computer science , thermal mass flow meter , simulation , torque , mechanical engineering , control theory (sociology) , engineering , thermodynamics , power (physics) , physics , control (management) , boundary layer , artificial intelligence
This study presents a detailed methodology for non‐intrusive measurement of cooling air mass flow rate that enables an overall machine evaluation. This approach enables the simultaneous measurement of air mass flow with shaft torque at differing operating points while minimising the change in air flow introduced by the measurement system. The impact of geometric parameters in the designed system is investigated using a detailed 180° computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. Special attention was paid to minimising their influence on pressure drop, the mass flow rate through the machine, and measurement uncertainty. Based on the results of this investigation, the system was designed and manufactured, and the experimentally measured data was used to validate the CFD predictions. For the as optimal identified configuration, the flow rate is predicted to decrease by 2.2% relative to unrestricted operation. The achieved measurement uncertainty is ± 2.6% at synchronous speed.