Impact of rotor geometry and fluid injection on screw compressor performance

Abstract Screw compressors are widely used in industrial and commercial applications due to their high efficiency, reliability, and durability. However, there is still room for improvement in terms of energy efficiency and performance. To address this, the current study investigates the impact of screw rotor geometrical parameters: wrap angle, relative length, and built-in volume ratio and fluid injection methods (oil, and water injection) on the performance of screw compressors. The research offers a detailed analysis of these parameters, with a focus on the empirical validation of water injection’s influence through experimental testing on an industrial screw compressor. The findings reveal that water injection reduces specific power consumption by 4.78 % compared to oil injection, highlighting its potential for improving compressor efficiency. This work contributes valuable insights into optimizing screw compressor design for enhanced performance and energy efficiency.