The leakage analysis in a twin-screw supercharger by using an integrated CAD/CFD three-dimensional model

The performance of a twin-screw supercharger is influenced more by the internal air leakages than by any other thermo-fluid aspect of its behaviour. The distribution of leakage through the various leakage paths within the machine is, thus, important for the improvement of the performance. The numerical analysis is conducted using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software commercially available, FLUENT. The main innovation in this research is to integrate this advanced CFD modelling technique, which is used for modelling complex airflow behaviour in the complex supercharger passages, with an advanced CAD module, which is used for design of new supercharger rotors and manifolds. This has allowed creating a new innovative fully integrated CAD/CFD supercharger design environment, which can address all aspects of fluid and geometry requirements for the future supercharger designs. This approach will insure the production of the highest quality designs at the lowest manufacturing cost and in the shortest turn around time.