Application of a CFD-Based Program for the Optimization of a Centrifugal Impeller

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Pazzi ◽  
Francesco Martelli ◽  
Marco Giachi ◽  
Michela Testa
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Computational Effort ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Geometrical Parameters ◽  
Design Point ◽  
Blade Thickness ◽  
Geometrical Constraints

A typical centrifugal impeller characterized by a low flow coefficient and cylindrical blades is redesigned by means of an intelligent automatic search program. The procedure consists of a Feasible Sequential Quadratic Programming (FSQP) algorithm [6] coupled to a Lazy Learning (LL) interpolator [1] to speed-up the process. The program is able to handle geometrical constraints to reduce the computational effort devoted to the analysis of non-physical configurations. The objective function evaluator is an in-house developed structured CFD code. The LL approximator is called each time the stored database can provide a sufficiently accurate performance estimate for a given geometry, thus reducing the effective CFD computations. The impeller is represented by 25 geometrical parameters describing the vane in the meridional and s-θ planes, the blade thickness and the leading edge shape. The optimisation is carried out on the impeller design point maximizing the polytropic efficiency with more or less constant flow coefficient and polytropic head. The optimization is accomplished keeping unaltered those geometrical parameters which have to be kept fixed in order to make the impeller fit the original stage. The optimisation, carried out on a cluster of sixteen PCs, is self-learning and leads to a geometry presenting an increased design point efficiency. The program is completely general and can be applied to any component which can be described by a finite number of geometrical parameters and computed by any numerical instrument to provide performance indices. The work presented in this paper has been developed inside the METHOD EC funded project for the implementation of new technologies for optimisation of centrifugal compressors.

Automatic computational fluid dynamics-based procedure for the optimization of a centrifugal impeller

2005 ◽  
Vol 219 (7) ◽  
pp. 549-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Martelli ◽  
S Pazzi ◽  
V Michelassi
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Geometric Constraints ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Geometrical Parameters ◽  
Design Point ◽  
Blade Thickness

A typical centrifugal impeller characterized by a low flow coefficient and cylindrical blades is redesigned by means of an intelligent automatic search program. The procedure consists of a feasible sequential quadratic programming algorithm (Fletcher, R. Practical Methods of optimization, 2000 (Wiley)) coupled to a lazy learning (LL) interpolator 1 to speed-up the process. The program is able to handle geometric constraints to reduce the computational effort devoted to the analysis of non-physical configurations. The objective function evaluator is an in-house developed structured computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code. The LL approx-imator is called each time the stored database can provide a sufficiently accurate performance estimate for a given geometry, thus reducing the effective CFD computations. The impeller is represented by 25 geometric parameters describing the vane in the meridional and s-0 planes, the blade thickness, and the leading edge shape. The optimization is carried out on the impeller design point maximizing the polytropic efficiency with nearly constant flow coefficient and polytropic head. The optimization is accomplished by maintaining unaltered those geometrical parameters which have to be kept fixed in order to make the impeller fit the original stage. The optimization, carried out on a cluster of 16 PCs, is self-learning and leads to a geometry presenting an increased design point efficiency. The program is completely general and can be applied to any component which can be described by a finite number of geometrical parameters and computed by any numerical instrument to provide performance indices. The work presented in this paper was done under the METHOD EC funded project for the implementation of new technologies for optimization of centrifugal compressors.

CFD Applications to Industrial Centrifugal Compressor Design

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Arnone ◽  
Duccio Bonaiuti ◽  
Paolo Boncinelli ◽  
Mirco Ermini ◽  
Alberto Milani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Computational Procedure ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Geometrical Parameters ◽  
Future Design ◽  
Numerical Predictions ◽  
The Impact

The aerodynamic redesign of an industrial transonic centrifugal impeller by means of CFD techniques is presented here. The computational procedure was validated by comparing numerical predictions of efficiency and work input coefficient to data from experimental tests on two different typologies of impellers: a low flow coefficient subsonic radial impeller and a high flow coefficient one. Three–dimensional, fully viscous computations were used to investigate the transonic impeller aerodynamic performance in terms of both the characteristic curves and details of the flow structure, suggesting possible improvements in the design. In order to standardize the redesign process of 3D impellers, a number of geometrical parameters, capable of describing the main features of the geometry, were identified. The original configuration was modified by varying the values of such parameters, and the impact of changes was assessed by means of 3D computations. As a result, the designer would be able to recognize which parameters have greater influence, and understand the physical effect of each change. This made it possible to establish some design rules to be exploited in future design processes.

Radial Impeller Forces Using CFD: Part II — A Comparison Between Compressible and Incompressible Flows

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel O. Baun ◽  
Ronald D. Flack
Keyword(s):  
Mach Number ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Incompressible Flows ◽  
Lateral Force ◽  
Magnetic Bearing ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Cfd Model

Lateral centrifugal impeller forces are calculated using the CFD model developed in Part I of this paper. The impeller forces are evaluated by integrating the pressure and momentum profiles at both the impeller inlet and exit planes. Direct impeller lateral force measurements were made using a magnetic bearing supported pump rotor. Comparisons between the simulated and measured forces are first made for both average and transient impeller forces with water as the working fluid. Air was then substituted as the working fluid in the validated CFD model and the effect of impeller Mach number and Reynolds number on the static impeller lateral forces was investigated. The non-dimensional lateral impeller force characteristics as a function of normalized flow coefficient are similar in character between the incompressible and compressible case. At the matching point flow coefficient the non-dimensional impeller force magnitude was the same for all compressible and incompressible simulations. For any normalized flow rate other than the matching point flow rate, the magnitude of the non-dimensional impeller force increased as the Mach number increased. As the choke condition was approached the magnitude of the impeller force increased exponentially. As the Mach number increased the transition of the force orientation vector from the low flow asymptote to the high flow asymptote occurred over a progressively smaller range of flows.

Investigations of the Flow Through a High Pressure Ratio Centrifugal Impeller

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gernot Eisenlohr ◽  
Hartmut Krain ◽  
Franz-Arno Richter ◽  
Valentin Tiede
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Flow Separation ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Angle Distribution ◽  
Blade Angle ◽  
Minor Variation ◽  
Design Point ◽  
High Pressure Ratio

In an industrial research project of German and Swiss Turbo Compressor manufacturers a high pressure ratio centrifugal impeller was designed and investigated. Performance measurements and extensive laser measurements (L2F) of the flow field upstream, along the blade passage and downstream of the impeller have been carried out. In addition to that, 3D calculations have been performed, mainly for the design point. Results have been presented by Krain et al., 1995 and 1998, Eisenlohr et al., 1998 and Hah et al.,1999. During the design period of this impeller a radial blade at the inlet region was mandatory to avoid a rub at the shroud due to stress reasons. The measurements and the 3D calculations performed later, however, showed a flow separation at the hub near the leading edge due to too high incidence. Additionally a rather large exit width and a high shroud curvature near the exit caused a flow separation near the exit, which is enlarged by the radially transported wake of the already addressed hub separation. Changes to the hub blade angle distribution to reduce the hub incidence and an adaptation of the shroud blade angle distribution for the same impeller mass-flow at the design point were investigated by means of 3D calculations first with the same contours at hub and shroud; this was followed by calculations with a major change of the shroud contour including an exit width change with a minor variation of the hub contour. These calculations showed encouraging results; some of them will be presented in conjunction with the geometry data of the original impeller design.

Blade Thickness Effect on Impeller Slip Factor

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donghui Zhang ◽  
Jean-Luc Di Liberti ◽  
Michael Cave
Keyword(s):  
Factor Model ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Thickness Effect ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Slip Factor ◽  
Blade Thickness ◽  
Blockage Factor

A numerical study of the effect of the blade thickness on centrifugal impeller slip factor is presented in this paper. The CFD results show that generally the slip factor decreases as the blade thickness increases. Changing the thickness at different locations has different effects on the slip factor. The shroud side blade thickness has more effect on the impeller slip factor than the hub side blade thickness. In the flow direction, the blade thickness at 50% meridional distance is the major factor affecting the slip factor. The leading edge thickness has little effect on slip factor. There is an optimum thickness at the trailing edge for the maximum slip factor. For this impeller, the hub side thickness ratio of 0.5 between the trailing edge and the middle of the impeller gives the highest value of the slip factor, while the ratio of 0.25 at shroud side gives the highest value of the slip factor. A blockage factor is added into the slip factor model to include the aerodynamic blockage effect on the slip factor. The model explains the phenomena observed in the CFD results and the test data very well.

On the Correlation Between Span-Wise Inducer Incidence and Impeller Diffusion for Ruled Surface and Barreled Sweep-Bow Impeller Design at IGV-Off-Design

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Hildebrandt ◽  
T. Ceyrowsky ◽  
J. Klausmann ◽  
K. A. Metz
Keyword(s):  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Neutral Position ◽  
Design Point ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Centrifugal Stage ◽  
Edge Based

Abstract In the present paper, three centrifugal stages of high volume flow coefficient are compared to each-other regarding their aerodynamic performance in design point and off-design point conditions at different speed and IGV-setting angle: two stages with full-blade design (no splitter blades) have been numerically designed with different design geometry methodology. One geometry is based on a classical ruling surface design with a linear leading edge, the second geometry based on a fully-3d surface including a blade bow at the trailing edge and a barreled sweep at the leading edge. According to impeller test rig measurements and CFD-calculation, the classical ruling surface designed impeller outperforms the more sophisticated centrifugal stage with fully-3D-blade at fully axially guided IGV-flow. In the contrary, at closing IGV-off-design setting angles, towards surge operation, the fully-3D-blade-impeller performs with higher efficiency and steeper negative pressure slope. On the search of the geometrical causes for the different aerodynamic performance (especially at IGV-off-design conditions), focus is set on the analysis of IGV-flow-interaction with the inducer flow, and impeller diffusion. The one-dimensional -analysis of the span-wise flow at the impeller leading edge reveals that, compared with the ruling surface impeller, the fully 3D-blade performs with lower flow incidence losses in favor to IGV-off-design operation than at IGV-neutral position. The stream-wise flow analysis confirms the improved flow incidence characteristics of the 3D-blade impeller due to reduction of aerodynamic blockage and entropy production in the vicinity of the impeller leading edge. Based on CFD-calculations, a new correlation of secondary flow and flow incidence is proposed, to be used for one-dimensional modelling.

Numerical Investigation on the Labyrinth Seal Design for a Low Flow Coefficient Centrifugal Compressor

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiheng Wang ◽  
Liqun Xu ◽  
Guang Xi
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Computational Domain ◽  
Cfd Simulations ◽  
Isentropic Efficiency ◽  
Low Flow Coefficient

The leakage flow across the shroud of a centrifugal compressor impeller has an important effect on the compressor’s performance, in particular, in the low flow coefficient compressor. This paper presents the three-dimensional CFD simulations and the Radial Basis Function (RBF) model to investigate the aerodynamic performance of the labyrinth seal as well as the low flow coefficient centrifugal impeller. The CFD simulations are performed on the computational domain consisting of the labyrinth seal and the impeller. The relationship between the leakage loss coefficient and the isentropic efficiency is indicated. With the application of the RBF model, the global sensitivity analysis to the seal geometric design parameters is carried out, and the geometry of the labyrinth seal is optimized. The leakage of the optimized labyrinth seal is reduced remarkably and the impeller’s isentropic efficiency improved by 2% in a wide operating range.

Numerical Investigation of Effects of Different Hub Tip Diameter Ratios on Aerodynamic Performance of Single Shaft Multistage Centrifugal Compression Systems

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Ceyrowsky ◽  
Andre Hildebrandt
Keyword(s):  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Design Flow ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Stage Design ◽  
Design Point ◽  
Thermodynamic Behaviour ◽  
The Impact

Regarding industrial centrifugal compressors in single shaft design, different configurations with e.g. varying numbers of stages or diverse circumferential speeds, necessitate different shaft diameters. Thus the application of impellers with different hub/tip ratios (dh/d2) is daily routine in industrial practice. Increasing hub/tip ratio leads to higher radii and therefore higher relative speeds, to a reduction in the impeller’s meridional length and hence more rapid diffusion, and to a sharper bending from axial to radial direction. In this paper the impact of hub/tip ratio on stage performance is investigated for three different centrifugal compressor stages, by steady state CFD-calculations. The hub/tip ratio is varied between 0.325 < dh/d2 < 0.45. The relation between design stage flow coefficient and hub/tip ratio is also analysed, both at design and off-design. Thermodynamic behaviour is assessed by 1D-data and also by the investigation of secondary flow features. The current analysis shows, that hub/tip ratio’s influence on characteristics is strongly dependent on the particular stage’s design flow coefficient and circumferential Mach-Number. Increasing a high flow stage’s hub/tip ratio is shown to decrease peak efficiency as well, as to limit the operating range. On the contrary, in case of a low flow stage, design point efficiency is hardly affected, but the characteristic curve is tilted around design point, by applying a different hub/tip ratio. However severity of hub/tip ratio’s impact on thermodynamic behaviour shows to decrease together with stage design flow coefficient.

scholarly journals Low-Flow-Coefficient Centrifugal Compressor Design for Supercritical CO2

2014 ◽  
Vol 136 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Lettieri ◽  
N. Baltadjiev ◽  
M. Casey ◽  
Z. Spakovszky
Keyword(s):  
Vortex Shedding ◽  
Supercritical Co2 ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Design Strategy ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Vaneless Diffuser ◽  
Vaned Diffuser ◽  
Compressor Design ◽  
Low Flow Coefficient

This paper presents a design strategy for very low flow coefficient multistage compressors operating with supercritical CO2 for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) and enhanced oil recovery (EOR). At flow coefficients less than 0.01, the stage efficiency is much reduced due to dissipation in the gas-path and more prominent leakage and windage losses. Instead of using a vaneless diffuser as is standard design practice in such applications, the current design employs a vaned diffuser to decrease the meridional velocity and to widen the gas path. The aim is to achieve a step change in performance. The impeller exit width is increased in a systematic parameter study to explore the limitations of this design strategy and to define the upper limit in efficiency gain. The design strategy is applied to a full-scale reinjection compressor currently in service. Three-dimensional, steady, supercritical CO2 computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of the full stage with leakage flows are carried out with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) real gas model. The design study suggests that a nondimensional impeller exit width parameter b2* = (b2/R)ϕ of six yields a 3.5 point increase in adiabatic efficiency relative to that of a conventional compressor design with vaneless diffuser. Furthermore, it is shown that in such stages the vaned diffuser limits the overall stability and that the onset of rotating stall is likely caused by vortex shedding near the diffuser leading edge. The inverse of the nondimensional impeller exit width parameter b2* can be interpreted as the Rossby number. The investigation shows that, for very low flow coefficient designs, the Coriolis accelerations dominate the relative flow accelerations, which leads to inverted swirl angle distributions at impeller exit. Combined with the two-orders-of-magnitude higher Reynolds number for supercritical CO2, the leading edge vortex shedding occurs at lower flow coefficients than in air suggesting an improved stall margin.

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Labyrinth Seal Clearance Impact on Centrifugal Impeller Performance

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell Marechale ◽  
Min Ji ◽  
Michael Cave
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Compressor Performance ◽  
The Impact

Labyrinth seals are widely used in industrial multistage centrifugal compressors to reduce internal leakage and maintain compressor performance for a prolonged operation time. The leakage flow across the shroud seal of covered impellers and the hub seal of the rotating shaft has an important effect on the compressor performance. The amount of leakage flow is primarily a function of seal running clearances, which is typically designed based on the compressor working environment, such as pressure and temperature conditions. The present paper discusses the experimental and numerical studies of seal clearance impact on the performance and operation of a single stage centrifugal compressor. Two experimental campaigns of running a medium-flow coefficient impeller and a low-flow coefficient impeller with various radial clearances of the impeller shroud and the hub labyrinth seal were conducted based on the configuration of the impeller and the return channel system in a closed-loop compressor test rig. The experimental investigation consists of both the overall stage performance test and the traverse test of the flow field downstream of the impeller using three-hole Cobra probes. Static pressure taps were arranged in the impeller shroud cavity in order to obtain the stream-wise pressure distribution. CFD simulations were then performed to compare with the test results. The paper presents the analysis of test data and simulation results of five arrangements of the impeller shroud and the hub seal radial clearances. The impacts of seal clearance height on stage efficiency and head are quantitatively evaluated. The impact on impeller internal flow field and cavity pressure distributions and swirl angle are discussed. Findings from this study are that efficiency reduction with increased seal clearance was as expected, but impeller Euler work was significantly reduced. CFD simulation was validated as a tool for predicting these effects and provides some understanding of the flow mechanisms.

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