Experimental study on performance of helium low pressure compressor of HTR-10GT

Helium Gas Turbine System (HGTS) has compact and simple configuration, and can make full use of high temperature heat source to achieve high power generation efficiency. It will be the desirable power conversion system for the Modular High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (Modular HTGR) in the future. But there are some technical challenges to be solved for HGTS, including helium compressor and active magnetic bearings, etc. Helium compressor is key component for HGTS. Its aerodynamic performance had direct influences on the efficiency of the HGTS. Its features are different from those of conventional air compressors or gas turbines due to the different working fluids. The experimental and theoretical studies on helium compressors were very limited. In this paper, a performance test system for HTR-10GT project was established for the full-stage and full-scale helium compressors. Performance of low-pressure compressor (LPC) of HTR-10GT was tested and investigated on this test system. The pressure ratio and efficiency of the LPC were obtained at rated conditions and at different rotating speed, different inventory level. Surge and block boundaries of LPC were also explored. The results showed that the performance of LPC satisfied the design requirements. And the experimental study in the paper verified the validity and effectiveness of the design methods of the helium compressors at the LPC conditions, and provided the key aerodynamic performance data for further studies, such as off-design conditions, inventory control and load rejection control.