Comparison of Classic and Finned Piston Reciprocating Linear Air Compressor Using COMSOL Multiphyics®

M. Heidari[1], P. Barrade[1], A. Rufer[1]
[1]LEI, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
Published in 2014

The current work is dedicated to develop a FEM model for compressors using moving mesh. An analytical model is already developed for a classic compressor based on mass and energy balance and is extended to a finned piston compressor. COMSOL Multiphysics® is employed to verify the analytical results and to provide an insight to detailed modeling of the system in desired areas.

Moving mesh is used to describe the compression chamber changing volume over time. Heat transfer, fluid flow and valves is modeled. Finite element model developed in this work helps to understand detailed distribution of pressure and temperature at all points of the control volume. In addition it provides a visual insight to the behavior of the dynamic system.