Texas A&M’s Dr. Delgado Talks Component-Level Testing, Power Density Trends
Adolfo Delgado of Texas A&M’s Turbomachinery Laboratory says component-level testing and development have significant impacts on the industry as a whole.
Dr. Adolfo Delgado, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University’s Turbomachinery Laboratory, guided the Turbomachinery International team through the lab, located in College Station, Texas, during our visit last month.
During our tour, he spoke about the latest research being conducted on rotating equipment systems and components and relevant trends and changes. According to Delgado, the industry’s most prevalent trend is transitioning toward high-power density machines, which the Lab’s component-level testing addresses.
TURBO: What improvements or research have been applied to rotating equipment, rotor dynamics, pumps, etc., at the Turbo Lab?
Delgado: There are a number of developments and improvements that have been made over the years. We constantly work with our sponsors to understand the industry’s needs and how we can help improve their equipment. In terms of what we do here, we’ve mainly worked with components and have improved bearings, seals, and dampers. These are components that go directly into the machines and have a significant impact on the industry.
TURBO: What trends are you seeing in the rotating equipment space?
Delgado: A constant trend that we’re seeing in the industry is increasing power density, and everything we do in terms of improving machinery is toward that goal. We work at a component and system level to find ways to improve power density. Another trend we’re seeing is high-power density CO2 for power generation, and it’s pushing the need for high-power density machines.
TURBO: What changes have you seen in rotating equipment in the past 3 – 5 years?
Delgado: The main change we’re seeing in the rotating equipment field goes, again, toward having machines that can increase their power output while maintaining the size or shrinking the machine and maintaining the same power output. These initiatives require new mechanical components that are able to withstand high velocities or high speeds, as well as high forces. We may have to revisit some of these mechanical components.
