Software

PCA has developed software for turbomachinery analysis since 1990 and has since achieved a worldwide user-base. The software comprises a range of systems for the entire aerothermal design process for all types of turbomachines, including radial and axial machines, and compressible and incompressible flow. PCA also undertakes custom software development, implementing new or existing analysis procedures into a professional software systems.

Preliminary design software

PCA has developed the Vista™ range of tools for the preliminary design of axial and radial turbines, of axial and centrifugal compressors , and of centrifugal pumps.   The common features of all the Vista™ tools are:

• easy and intuitive use
  
  
• clear and well-organised user-interface
  
  
• sound one-dimensional methods, firmly based in decades of experience
  
  
• robust and well-validated
  
  
• seamless file export
  
  
• inexpensive
  
  

The individual tools are: 

• Vista CCD for preliminary design of centrifugal compressors
• Vista CCP for performance prediction of centrifugal compressors
  
• Vista RTD for preliminary design of radial turbines
  
• Vista ATD preliminary design of axial turbines
  
• Vista ACPD for preliminary design and performance prediction of axial compressors
• Vista CPD for preliminary design of centrifugal and mixed-flow pumps
  
• Vista GT for preliminary design and analysis
  of gas turbine cycles
  

Other (non-Vista) tools for preliminary design and performance prediction are:

• RITA for performance prediction of radial turbines
• TPM for performance prediction of axial turbines

Integration in ANSYS ® CFX

All the above programs are available as standalone tools. However, as part of an ANSYS-PCA joint strategy for software integration, Vista CCD and Vista CPD are integrated into ANSYS BladeModeler™ in ANSYS 11.   The designer can use the Vista™ tools to achieve a 1D design to suit the prescribed duty of the machine and move seamlessly to a first-attempt 3D impeller geometry based on the 1D design. The aim is to reduce the time needed for a CFD-led turbomachine design by enabling the designer to achieve a reliable and correct 1D design before embarking on the more time-consuming 3D geometry modelling and CFD analysis.  More of the Vista™ tools - including a throughflow code, Vista TF (see below) - will appear in ANSYS 12 in 2008.  

Throughflow codes

Since 1990 PCA has developed the twin throughflow codes SC90T and SC90C for application to axial turbines and axial compressors respectively.  Both tools can be used in 'performance mode' or in 'quasi-design' mode and have a very wide range of functionality. 

Throughflow for axial turbines: SC90T's features include:

• Semi-perfect gas properties
• 'Fuel Library' for combustion gas composition of any hydrocarbon fuel
• 'Fuel Library' for non-combusted gases
• Wet-steam properties
• Inbuilt loss and gas angle correlations
• Spanwise mixing
• Intra-bladerow calculating planes
• Robustness and wide range of applicability

Throughflow for axial compressors: SC90's features include:

• Semi-perfect gas properties
• Inbuilt loss and deviation correlations
• Spanwise mixing
• Modelling of annulus wall boundary layers
• Bleed
• robust transonic capability
  
• By-pass (as for aero-engine fans)
  

A new throughflow code, Vista TF, to be integrated into ANSYS 12:

PCA has also developed a new, generally applicable throughflow code called Vista TF.  Vista TF is currently applicable to radial- and mixed-flow machines, compressible or incompressible flow.  The new tool is already proving its value in modelling the principal features of a turbomachine axisymmetric flowfield as a precursor to CFD analysis.  Additionally, the subsequent CFD-led design process is significantly speeded up.  Vista TF will continue as a standalone tool, tightly interfaced with the Vista preliminary design tools (above) but it will be integrated into ANSYS BladeModeler in ANSYS 12, thus completing the perfect partnership of turbomachinery design tools in a single design system from preliminary design to throughflow to 3D modelling and CFD.

Downloads

Coming soon:

A summary of Vista CCD, the preliminary design tool for centrifugal compressors 

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