Armfield Engineering Education
CAPTURE FLUID MACHINES
FM42 Centrifugal Compressor Demonstration Unit - issue 2
Multi-stage compressors are used industrially for high pressure
deliveries of gas flows or suction duties. The kinetic energy imparted
to the gas by the impeller rotation is converted into pressure energy which
progressively increases from stage to stage.
Ordering Specification
• A small-scale multi-stage centrifugal compressor demonstration unit, comprising of an inlet duct, the compressor, an outlet duct and an adjustable aperture, all mounted on a stainless steel base.
• Seven stages in the compressor.
• Equipped with electronic measurement sensors for head pressure, flow-rate (via orifice plate) and air temperature.
• Capable of
being linked to a PC
(not supplied) via a dedicated interface console (an essential accessory).
• Supplied with software providing full instructions for setting up, operating, calibrating and performing the teaching exercises. Facilities for logging, processing and displaying data graphically.
• Full theoretical back-up together with a student questions and answers session.
INSTRUCTIONAL CAPABILITIES
• Measurement of constant-speed machine performance in terms of static and total pressures, rotor speed and motor shaft power, as a function of inlet flow
• Measurement of compressor efficiency and estimation of impeller power efficiency
• Measurement of performance at constant speeds
• Introduction to similarity laws for scale-up
• Comparison of student calculations with computer results
Description
A motor driven multi-stage centrifugal compressor, mounted on a stainless steel plinth with transparent air inlet and air outlet ducts. A manually operated adjustable aperture allows the air flow rate to be varied at constant fan speed.
A calibrated orifice plate is used on the discharge to measure
the air flow rate.
Electronic sensors measure the pressure head developed across the blower,
the pressure across the orifice plate (and hence the flow rate) and the
air
temperature.
The compressor speed is accurately controlled by an advanced electronic inverter within the IFD7 (an essential accessory). This inverter also calculates the torque produced at the motor drive shaft, allowing the power used by the fan to be derived. The IFD7 also provides the conditioning electronics for the sensors and allows their readings to be displayed on the computer software.
Connections to the IFD7 are a single multi-way connector for the sensors and a connector for the pump motor drive.
The equipment is provided with advanced education and data logging software. See the software section of this datasheet for further details.
PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION
Max Flow Rate: 20 l/s typical
Max Head: 6.0KPa
Max fan speed 3000rpm
Motor Power rating 250W
Number of stages 7
SOFTWARE
Windows based software is supplied with the CAPTURE range of equipment offering a complete teaching package of coursework and laboratory investigation.
The familiar Windows environment allows the student to explore the principles of each machine quickly and easily, highlighting the difference between theoretical and practical measurements, thus providing a good understanding of the principles involved.
This software runs under Windows 98, 2000 or XP operating systems and has been designed for maximum flexibility and ease of use. Comprehensive ‘Help’ screens guide the student through both the theoretical background and the practical investigation of the machine under examination. Suggested laboratory investigations and further questions for the student to answer are included in the software, together with all the information required to set up and run the teaching exercises.
SOFTWARE CAPABILITIES
This software includes a range of functions and capabilities designed to make the operation of the equipment and processing of the results more straightforward, and also to enhance student understanding of the subjects being covered.
It includes:
> Diagrammatic representation of the equipment, complete with real time
display of the various sensor outputs
> Presentation screens, giving an
overview of the software, the equipment, the procedure and associated theory
> Detailed ‘Help’ facilities giving in depth guidance
> Automatic data logging of sensor values into a spreadsheet format
> Control over sampling intervals
> Student questions and answers, including a layered ‘Hint’
facility
> Processing of sampled values (this may be linked to the questions and
answers to ensure student understanding)
> Sophisticated graph plotting facilities of both measured and calculated
values, including comparisons taken under different conditions
> Export of data to Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheets
> Links to user defined word processor
> Calibration facility for sensors
> Real time bar graph display of sensor outputs
> Recent history graphical display
TECHNICAL DETAILS
The analogue output data is digitised and transferred to a computer using the standard USB (Universal Serial Bus). This allows any standard modern Windows computer to be used, including notebooks, and does not require any internal access to the computer.
The equipment is supplied complete with a USB lead for connection to the computer.
The FM42 interfaces to the computer using the IFD7 device and the USB port of the computer.
Also available is a software driver that allows the outputs to be read in other software programs, such as Labview.
ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT
• Armfield IFD7 Interface Unit
• PC with spare USB port
Shipping Specification
Volume: 0.758m³
Gross Weight: 100kg
Overall Dimensions
Height: 0.945m
Length: 0.88m
Width: 0.51m
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