Open AccessDevelopment of a Reconfigurable Prototype Peristaltic Compressor
Author(s) -
Mazharul Islam,
C. Tubbs,
C. Bengs,
Craig R. Bradshaw
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
iop conference series. materials science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1757-899X
pISSN - 1757-8981
DOI - 10.1088/1757-899x/1180/1/012046
Subject(s) - gas compressor , positive displacement meter , compression (physics) , diaphragm (acoustics) , volume (thermodynamics) , displacement (psychology) , ranging , compression ratio , actuator , mechanical engineering , air compressor , engineering , materials science , physics , electrical engineering , composite material , psychology , telecommunications , quantum mechanics , loudspeaker , psychotherapist , internal combustion engine
Traditional positive displacement compressors require valves, internal volume ratios or both to operate. These two features generate the majority of the losses in compressors. The peristaltic compressor is a novel compressor architecture that feature valve-less compression with variable volume ratios, which provides the potential for highly efficient compression. This paper will present a design of a reconfigurable prototype peristaltic compressor and illustrate how the structure of the compression chamber and actuation pattern affect the compressor efficiency. The prototype utilizes a flexible diaphragm constrained and sealed against a female die to make a compression chamber. Linear actuators with male dies press the diaphragm sequentially against the female die to move and compress the fluid. Preliminary experiments were performed using air as the working fluid for volume ratios ranging from 1.143 to 8 and operational frequencies ranging from 1.28 to 2.31 Hz. These results suggest that the actuation pattern has an impact on the major parameters such as mass flow, displacement volume, and pressure ratio which influence the overall efficiency of the compressor.