The reciprocating element types have seen a number of improvements that increase their ease of use, and their accuracy and robustness. This makes them a more viable alternative for the traditional reciprocating boundary condition types.
BOSpulse offers two approaches for modelling reciprocating equipment such as compressors and pumps. In one approach flow boundary conditions are imposed at locations of the discharge outlets and suction inlets. In the alternative approach reciprocating elements are added to a model at the locations of the cylinders. The latter approach makes it possibly to simulate the motion of the discharge and suction valves, and how their motion is affected by the pressure pulsations arising in the piping system. Another advantage is that they can be combined with pressure boundary conditions, which is a particular advantage in compressor interstage systems.
The reciprocating element types have been introduced in BOSpulse 4.0 and have been significantly improved in BOSpulse 4.1. The improvements include the resolution of an ambiguity in the temperature specification; more accurate calculation of the gas properties in compressor cylinders; improved convergence of the steady state flow solver; and more accurate modelling of the flow out of and into pump cylinders. In addition to that, compressor flange nodes can now also refer to compressor elements in order to obtain the compression ratio.
Although the majority of the improvements to the reciprocating element types are not directly visible, they make BOSpulse a much better tool for the analysis of reciprocating equipment and the attached piping system.
For more information, please contact:
+31 85 058 00 46
Relevant articles:
Improved structural analysis interface
Support for the ASME B31J Piping Code
