Particle Image Velocity Investigation of a High Speed Centrifugal Compressor Diffuser: Spanwise and Loading Variations

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beni Cukurel ◽  
Patrick B. Lawless ◽  
Sanford Fleeter
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Particle Image ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Vaned Diffuser ◽  
Image Velocity ◽  
Operation Conditions ◽  
Diffuser Flow

An efficient diffuser is essential to a modern compressor stage due to its significance in stage performance, durability, and operability. To address the need for data that describe the complex, unsteady flow field in a vaned diffuser, particle image velocity is utilized to characterize the spanwise and circumferential variations in the flow features in the vaned diffuser passage of a transonic centrifugal compressor. The spanwise variation in the diffuser flow field is further investigated by the comparison of three different operating conditions representative of low, nominal, and high loading. These data demonstrate that not only the diffuser flow field is highly dependent on the operation conditions, e.g., hub-to-shroud variation increases with loading, but also the circumferential periodicity, created by the highly three dimensional impeller discharge flow, generates a larger unsteadiness toward the hub region of the vaned diffuser.

PIV Investigation of a High Speed Centrifugal Compressor Diffuser: Spanwise and Loading Variations

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beni Cukurel ◽  
Patrick B. Lawless ◽  
Sanford Fleeter
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Vaned Diffuser ◽  
Operation Conditions ◽  
Diffuser Flow ◽  
Transonic Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Flow Features

An efficient diffuser is essential to a modern compressor stage, due to its significance in stage performance, durability and operability. To address the need for data that describe the complex, unsteady flow field in a vaned diffuser, Particle Image Velocity is utilized to characterize the spanwise and circumferential variations of the flow features in the vaned diffuser passage of a transonic centrifugal compressor. The spanwise variation in the diffuser flow field is further investigated by comparison of 3 different operating conditions representative of low, nominal and high loading. These data demonstrate that not only the diffuser flow field is highly dependent on the operation conditions, e.g. hub-to-shroud variation increases with loading, but also the circumferential periodicity, created by the highly three dimensional impeller discharge flow, generates a larger unsteadiness towards the hub region of the vaned diffuser.

Design and Off-Design Numerical Investigation of a Transonic Double-Splitter Centrifugal Compressor

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Marconcini ◽  
Filippo Rubechini ◽  
Andrea Arnone ◽  
Seiichi Ibaraki
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Complex Flow ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
Vaned Diffuser

The flow field of a high pressure ratio centrifugal compressor for turbocharger applications is investigated using a three-dimensional Navier-Stokes solver. The compressor is composed of a double-splitter impeller followed by a vaned diffuser. The flow field of the transonic open-shrouded impeller is highly three-dimensional, and it is influenced by shock waves, tip leakage vortices and secondary flows. Their interactions generate complex flow structures which are convected and distorted through the impeller blades. Both steady and unsteady computations are performed in order to understand the physical mechanisms which govern the impeller flow field while the operation ranges from choke to surge. Detailed Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) flow measurements are available at various cross-sections inside the impeller blades at both design and off-design operating conditions.

Experimental and numerical investigation of the flow field in a high-pressure centrifugal compressor impeller near surge

2009 ◽  
Vol 223 (6) ◽  
pp. 657-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Bulot ◽  
I Trébinjac ◽  
X Ottavy ◽  
P Kulisa ◽  
G Halter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Laser Doppler Anemometry ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Compressor Stage ◽  
Peak Efficiency ◽  
Vaned Diffuser

Numerical and experimental investigations were conducted in a transonic centrifugal compressor stage composed of a backswept splittered unshrouded impeller and a vaned diffuser. The present article focuses on the results obtained within the impeller, at an operating condition close to the surge of the compressor. The experimental results were obtained from a laser Doppler anemometry investigation. Unsteady numerical simulations of the compressor stage were performed using a three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier—Stokes code with a phase-lagged technique, at both peak efficiency and close to surge operating conditions. A good agreement between the experiments and simulations were obtained, which justifies the use of the computational fluid dynamics results for the comparison of the flow field at both operating conditions (peak efficiency and near surge). Even if the change in flow field within the impeller from peak efficiency to near surge looked to be gradual, an overall rotation of the whole flow in the blade passages led to a non-homogeneous flow at the impeller exit in terms of angle and velocity level. Therefore, the vaned diffuser has to tolerate upstream flows, which are all the more distorted as the operating point moves towards surge.

Aerodynamic Optimization Design of Vaned Diffusers for the 100 kW Micro Gas Turbine’s Centrifugal Compressor

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guang Xi ◽  
Zhiheng Wang ◽  
Chunmei Zhang ◽  
Minjian Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Surrogate Model ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Optimization Design ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Aerodynamic Optimization ◽  
Vaned Diffuser ◽  
Practical Engineering

In this paper the design optimization of vaned diffuser for the 100kW microturbine’s centrifugal compressor is carried out. The forward-loaded and the conventional airfoil diffusers are respectively redesigned based on the surrogate model and the three dimensional viscous flow analyses. The objective of the optimization is to redesign the diffuser that assures, for a given operating condition of the centrifugal impeller, the stage isentropic efficiency to be highest. Using the surrogate model the optimization process is accelerated and the 3D flow analysis’s application to the practical engineering design is efficiently realized. To validate the optimization result, the compressor stage performance test is performed on a high speed centrifugal compressor test rig with one original diffuser and its redesigned, respectively.

Investigation of Unsteady Flow Field in a Vaned Diffuser of a Transonic Centrifugal Compressor

2006 ◽  
Vol 129 (4) ◽  
pp. 686-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seiichi Ibaraki ◽  
Tetsuya Matsuo ◽  
Takao Yokoyama
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Unsteady Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
Vaned Diffuser ◽  
Transonic Compressor ◽  
Inlet Conditions

Transonic centrifugal compressors are used with high-load turbochargers and turboshaft engines. These compressors usually have a vaned diffuser to increase the efficiency and the pressure ratio. To improve the performance of such a centrifugal compressor, it is required to optimize not only the impeller but also the diffuser. However the flow field of the diffuser is quite complex and unsteady because of the impeller located upstream. Although some research on vaned diffusers has been published, the diffuser flow is strongly dependent on the particular impeller exit flow, and some of the flow physics remain to be elucidated. In the research reported here, detailed flow measurements within a vaned diffuser were conducted using a particle image velocimetery (PIV). The vaned diffuser was designed with high subsonic inlet conditions marked by an inlet Mach number of 0.95 for the transonic compressor. As a result, a complex three-dimensional flow with distortion between the shroud and the hub was observed. Also, unsteady flow accompanying the inflow of the impeller wake was confirmed. Steady computational flow analysis was performed and compared with the experimental results.

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Unsteady Flow Field in a Vaned Diffuser of a High-Speed Centrifugal Compressor

2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Klemens Vogel ◽  
Reza S. Abhari ◽  
Armin Zemp
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Wake Flow ◽  
Vaned Diffuser ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Vaned diffusers in centrifugal compressor stages are used to achieve higher stage pressure ratios, higher stage efficiencies, and more compact designs. The interaction of the stationary diffuser with the impeller can lead to resonant vibration with potentially devastating effects. This paper presents unsteady diffuser vane surface pressure measurements using in-house developed, flush mounted, fast response piezoresistive pressure transducers. The unsteady pressures were recorded for nine operating conditions, covering a wide range of the compressor map. Experimental work was complemented by 3D unsteady computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations using ansys cfx V12.1 to detail the unsteady diffuser aerodynamics. Pressure fluctuations of up to 34.4% of the inlet pressure were found. High pressure variations are present all along the vane and are not restricted to the leading edge region. Frequency analysis of the measured vane surface pressures show that reduced impeller loading, and the corresponding reduction of tip leakage fluid changes the characteristics of the fluctuations from a main blade count to a total blade count. The unsteady pressure fluctuations in the diffuser originate from three distinct locations. The impact of the jet-wake flow leaving the impeller results in high variation close to the leading edge. It was observed that CFD results overpredicted the amplitude of the pressure fluctuation on average by 62%.

Numerical Analysis of the Vaned Diffuser of a Transonic Centrifugal Compressor

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Marconcini ◽  
Filippo Rubechini ◽  
Andrea Arnone ◽  
Seiichi Ibaraki
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
Vaned Diffuser ◽  
High Pressure Ratio ◽  
Unsteady Interaction ◽  
Inlet Conditions

A three-dimensional Navier–Stokes solver is used to investigate the flow field of a high pressure ratio centrifugal compressor for turbocharger applications. Such a compressor consists of a double-splitter impeller followed by a vaned diffuser. Particular attention is focused on the analysis of the vaned diffuser, designed for high subsonic inlet conditions. The diffuser is characterized by a complex three-dimensional flow field and influenced by the unsteady interaction with the impeller. Detailed particle image velocimetry flow measurements within the diffuser are available for comparison purposes.

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Unsteady Flow Field in a Vaned Diffuser of a High-Speed Centrifugal Compressor

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klemens Vogel ◽  
Reza S. Abhari ◽  
Armin Zemp
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Wake Flow ◽  
Vaned Diffuser ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Vaned diffusers in centrifugal compressor stages are used to achieve higher stage pressure ratios, higher stage efficiencies and more compact designs. The interaction of the stationary diffuser with the impeller can lead to resonant vibration with potentially devastating effects. This paper presents unsteady diffuser vane surface pressure measurements using in-house developed, flush mounted, fast response piezo-resistive pressure transducers. The unsteady pressures were recorded for 9 operating conditions, covering a wide range of the compressor map. Experimental work was complemented by 3D unsteady CFD simulations using ANSYS CFX V12.1 to detail the unsteady diffuser aerodynamics. Pressure fluctuations of up to 34.4% of the inlet pressure were found. High pressure variations are present all along the vane and are not restricted to the leading edge region. Frequency analysis of the measured vane surface pressures show that reduced impeller loading and the corresponding reduction of tip leakage fluid changes the characteristics of the fluctuations from a main blade count to a total blade count. The unsteady pressure fluctuations in the diffuser originate from three distinct locations. The impact of the jet wake flow leaving the impeller results in high variation close to the leading edge. It was observed that CFD results overpredicted the amplitude of the pressure fluctuation on average by 62%.

Numerical Analysis of the Vaned Diffuser of a Transonic Centrifugal Compressor

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Marconcini ◽  
Filippo Rubechini ◽  
Andrea Arnone ◽  
Seiichi Ibaraki
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
Vaned Diffuser ◽  
High Pressure Ratio ◽  
Unsteady Interaction ◽  
Inlet Conditions

A three-dimensional Navier-Stokes solver is used to investigate the flow field of a high pressure ratio centrifugal compressor for turbocharger applications. Such a compressor consists of a double-splitter impeller followed by a vaned diffuser. Particular attention is focused on the analysis of the vaned diffuser, designed for high subsonic inlet conditions. The diffuser is characterized by a complex three-dimensional flow field, and influenced by the unsteady interaction with the impeller. Detailed Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) flow measurements within the diffuser are available for comparison purposes.

LDV Characterization of Unsteady Vaned Diffuser Flow in a Centrifugal Compressor

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Gooding ◽  
John C. Fabian ◽  
Nicole L. Key
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Wake Flow ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Complex Flow ◽  
Vaned Diffuser ◽  
Diffuser Flow ◽  
Component Velocity ◽  
Unsteady Effects

Abstract Modern turbomachinery faces increased performance demands in terms of efficiency, compactness, and pressure-rise. Advancements in computational technology have allowed numerical methods to become the backbone of design development efforts. However, the unique complexities of centrifugal compressor flow-fields pose difficult computational problems. As such, advanced experimental methods must be used to obtain high-quality datasets to further inform, improve, and validate computational methods in complex flow regimes. Recent experimental work on a high-speed centrifugal compressor has provided detailed, unsteady, three-component velocity data using Laser Doppler Velocimetry. A passage vortex is present and its nascent tied to the increased incidence at mid-span associated with impeller wake flow. This vortex begins in the hub-pressure side corner and grows to fill the passage and become temporally stable. The vortex development is unsteady in nature and the unsteady effects persist 40% downstream of the throat. Distinct jet and wake flow patterns from the impeller also do not agglomerate until 40% downstream of the throat. Additionally, the critical impact of the unsteady flow development on the time-averaged flow-field is explained.

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