Experimental Investigation of Rotating Stall Characteristics in a Radial Vaneless Diffuser

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. B. Abidogun ◽  
S. A. Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Flow Instability ◽  
Cell Structure ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Critical Flow ◽  
Vaneless Diffuser ◽  
Pressure Transducers ◽  
Mass Flowrate ◽  
Hot Wires ◽  
Good Agreement

Rotating stall characteristics in a radial vaneless diffuser model was investigated experimentally. Measurements were made using hot-wires and pressure transducers (static and dynamic). The mass flowrate through the blower, at constant impeller speed, was gradually reduced until flow instability occurred in the diffuser. This enabled the onset and propagation of rotating stall to be fully described. The blower was operated without the vaneless diffuser in order to ascertain the cause of the flow instability. It was discovered that the impeller did not stall at the flow rates at which the blower was operated with the diffuser. The critical flow angles measured at the diffuser inlet, and midway between the diffuser walls, were in good agreement with earlier reported values in the open literature. The maximum number of rotating stall cells found in this study was two. The single-stall cell structure was found to be dominant over the two-stall cell structure at flow coefficients much lower than the critical flow coefficient.

Study of Vaneless Diffuser Rotating Stall Based on Two-Dimensional Inviscid Flow Analysis

1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshinobu Tsujimoto ◽  
Yoshiki Yoshida ◽  
Yasumasa Mori
Keyword(s):  
Propagation Velocity ◽  
Flow Instability ◽  
Present Report ◽  
Inviscid Flow ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Critical Flow ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Vaneless Diffuser ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Pressure Disturbance

Rotating stalls in vaneless diffusers are studied from the viewpoint that they are basically two-dimensional inviscid flow instability under the boundary conditions of vanishing velocity disturbance at the diffuser inlet and of vanishing pressure disturbance at the diffuser outlet. The linear analysis in the present report shows that the critical flow angle and the propagation velocity are functions of only the diffuser radius ratio. It is shown that the present analysis can reproduce most of the general characteristics observed in experiments: critical flow angle, propagation velocity, velocity, and pressure disturbance fields. It is shown that the vanishing velocity disturbance at the diffuser inlet is caused by the nature of impellers as a “resistance” and an “inertial resistance,” which is generally strong enough to suppress the velocity disturbance at the diffuser inlet. This explains the general experimental observations that vaneless diffuser rotating stalls are not largely affected by the impeller.

Effects of Vaneless Diffuser Geometries on Rotating Stall

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. B. Abidogun
Keyword(s):  
Angular Speed ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Diameter Ratio ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Critical Flow ◽  
Appreciable Effect ◽  
Vaneless Diffuser ◽  
Centrifugal Blower ◽  
Flow Perturbation

Detailed experimental investigation was carried out to document the effects of vaneless diffuser diameter and width ratios on the fundamental characteristics of flow perturbation in the vaneless diffuser of a centrifugal blower. In addition, a benchmark set of experimental data will be provided to aid numerical investigation of instabilities in the vaneless diffuser flowfield in particular and the entire compression system in general. The current data showed that a decrease of the diffuser width, at constant impeller angular speed, resulted in a decrease of the critical flow coefficient. The data further revealed that a decrease in the diffuser diameter ratio, resulted in an increase in the frequency of rotating stall. Variation of the diffuser width does not have any appreciable effect on the frequency of rotating stall. The effects of flow coefficient on stall characteristics are also reported.

Stall Inception in a High Speed Centrifugal Compressor During Speed Transients

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangyuan Lou ◽  
John C. Fabian ◽  
Nicole L. Key
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Flow Instability ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Transient Performance ◽  
Stall Inception ◽  
Pressure Transducers

The inception and evolution of rotating stall in a high-speed centrifugal compressor are characterized during speed transients. Experiments were performed in the Single Stage Centrifugal Compressor (SSCC) facility at Purdue University and include speed transients from sub-idle to full speed at different throttle settings while collecting transient performance data. Results show a substantial difference in the compressor transient performance for accelerations versus decelerations. This difference is associated with the heat transfer between the flow and the hardware. The heat transfer from the hardware to the flow during the decelerations locates the compressor operating condition closer to the surge line and results in a significant reduction in surge margin during decelerations. Additionally, data were acquired from fast-response pressure transducers along the impeller shroud, in the vaneless space, and along the diffuser passages. Two different patterns of flow instabilities, including mild surge and short-length-scale rotating stall, are observed during the decelerations. The instability starts with a small pressure perturbation at the impeller leading edge and quickly develops into a single-lobe rotating stall burst. The stall cell propagates in the direction opposite of impeller rotation at approximately one third of the rotor speed. The rotating stall bursts are observed in both the impeller and diffuser, with the largest magnitudes near the diffuser throat. Furthermore, the flow instability develops into a continuous high frequency stall and remains in the fully developed stall condition.

An Analytical and Experimental Assessment of a Diffuser Flow Phenomenon as a Precursor to Stall

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Sorokes ◽  
Jorge E. Pacheco ◽  
Clementine Vezier ◽  
Syed Fakhri
Keyword(s):  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Vaneless Diffuser ◽  
Diffuser Flow ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Cfd Analyses ◽  
Validation Testing ◽  
Lower Flow Rate

The paper describes an experimental and analytical study on the vaneless diffuser downstream of a high flow coefficient, high inlet relative Mach number centrifugal impeller. The diffuser flowfield exhibited a unique behavior in which the low momentum zone typically found along the shroud side of a centrifugal compressor diffuser suddenly shifted to the hub side of the diffuser just prior to the onset of diffuser rotating stall. The phenomenon was observed in the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses conducted as well as in the experimental data obtained during stage validation testing. A review of the analytical and test results suggested that the phenomenon was at least partially attributable to the level of diffusion in the vaneless diffuser. Modifications made to reduce the diffusion rate were shown by CFD analysis to move the onset of the unusual shift of low momentum flow to a much lower flow rate. The modifications also increased the efficiency of the overall stage by 1.2%.

Delay of Unsteady Flow in a Radial Diffuser

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saad A. Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Flow Instability ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Width Ratio ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Lower Flow ◽  
Low Mass

The operation of centrifugal compressor systems is limited at low-mass flow rates by fluid flow instabilities leading to rotating stall or surge. These instabilities limit the flow range in which the compressor can operate. They also lower the performance and efficiency of the compressor. Experiments were conducted to investigate a model of radial vaneless diffuser at stall as well as stall-free operating conditions. The speed of the impeller was kept constant at 2000 RPM, while the mass flow rate was reduced gradually to scan the steady and unsteady operating conditions of the compressor. The flow rate through the compressor was gradually decreased until flow instability is initiated at the diffuser. The flow rate was further reduced to study the characteristics of rotating stall. These measurements were reported for diffuser diameter ratios, Do/Di, of 2.0 with diffuser width ratio, b/Di, of 0.055. At lower flow rates than the critical, the rotating stall pattern with one stall cell was dominant over the pattern with two cells. In addition, the instability in the diffuser was successfully delayed to a lower flow coefficient when rough surfaces were attached to one or both sides of the diffuser with the lowest values achieved by attaching the rough surface to the shroud. Results show that the roughness has no significant effect on stall cell characteristics.

Control of Rotating Stall in the Diffuser of a Low Speed Centrifugal Compressor

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saad A. Ahmed ◽  
Mohamed A. Gadalla
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Investigation ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Flow Instability ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Centrifugal Blower ◽  
Flow Area ◽  
Lower Flow ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Control Delay

An experimental investigation to delay the onset of the rotating stall in the radial diffuser of a centrifugal blower was carried out. The method involved reducing the flow area by 50% at the diffuser exit using throttle rings attached to either diffuser shroud wall, or the diffuser hub wall. Simultaneous attachments of the throttle rings to both the diffuser’s shroud and the hub walls were also made. The following blockage ratios were used: 25% from both walls, 50% from the diffuser shroud and 0% from the diffuser hub and vice versa. The preliminary results suggest that the onset of the flow instability in the diffuser (stall) could be delayed (i.e., lower flow coefficient) when throttle rings were attached to the diffuser walls to reduce its exit flow area. The results also confirmed that the throttle rings could be an effective method to control/delay the stall in the vaneless radial diffuser.

Experimental Study of Vaneless Diffuser Rotating Stall Development and Cell-Merging Phenomena

2021 ◽  
Vol 143 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Filip Grapow ◽  
Krzysztof Olasek ◽  
Grzegorz Liśkiewicz ◽  
Radomir Magiera ◽  
Władysław Kryłłowicz
Keyword(s):  
Cell Size ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Vaneless Diffuser ◽  
Image Velocimetry ◽  
Radial Cell ◽  
Mass Flowrate ◽  
Cell Merging ◽  
Development Processes

Abstract This paper describes the vaneless diffuser rotating stall (VDRS) development and cell-merging phenomena. A centrifugal compressor’s lifespan may be limited by flow instabilities occurring in off-design operation. One such instability is the VDRS, which generates oscillating, asymmetrical flow fields in the diffuser and, thus, undesired forces acting on the rotor. Understanding and prevention of VDRS behavior are crucial for achieving safe and undisturbed compressor operation. Experimental measurements of centrifugal compressors operating under the influence of VDRS have been presented. Two different approaches were used for the identification of VDRS: pressure measurements and two-dimensional (2D) particle image velocimetry (PIV). Frequency analysis based on spectral maps and cell development processes were investigated. The presented results showed that mass flowrate has an impact on the rotating frequency of both the entire structure and single cells. Additionally, it affects radial cell size, which grows with compressor throttling and ultimately reaches the length of the diffuser. During the experiments, the cell-merging phenomenon was observed which has not been widely described in the literature. The results presented in this paper allow a better understanding of vaneless diffuser rotating stall behavior. The phenomenon of the change of cell size and frequency could be very important for machine fatigue. Cell-merging could also have an impact on the machine’s vibrations and flow stability. Since it is believed that VDRS is one of the factors inducing surge, its understanding and prevention may have a positive influence on surge margins.

A Distinction Between Different Types of Stall in a Centrifugal Compressor Stage

1986 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Ka¨mmer ◽  
M. Rautenberg
Keyword(s):  
Energy Transfer ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Compressor Stage ◽  
Vaneless Diffuser ◽  
Pressure Transducers ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Probe Measurements

The flow at the stall line of a centrifugal compressor with vaneless diffuser was investigated at different speeds. A distinction between three kinds of stall phenomena could be made. One type of stall with regurgitation of fluid at the impeller inlet was of a nonperiodic character, whereas two different types of periodic stall appeared at higher speeds. The rotating nature of these two types of stall was verified from a comparison of signals of peripherally spaced pressure transducers. The low-frequency rotating stall exhibited features of diffuser generated stall and a lobe number of three was measured. From a detailed investigation of the high-frequency rotating stall, which included unsteady probe measurements upstream and downstream of the impeller, it can be shown that this type of rotating stall is generated in the impeller by a periodic breakdown of energy transfer from the rotor to the flow. This conclusion is supported by the distribution of shroud static pressures.

Rotating Stall Induced in Vaneless Diffusers of Very Low Specific Speed Centrifugal Blowers

1985 ◽  
Vol 107 (2) ◽  
pp. 514-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Kinoshita ◽  
Y. Senoo
Keyword(s):  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Critical Flow ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Small Flow ◽  
Low Specific Speed ◽  
Specific Speed ◽  
Vaneless Diffusers

The limit of rotating stall was experimentally determined for three very small specific speed centrifugal blowers. The impellers were specially designed for stall-free at very small flow rates, so that the cause of rotating stall could be attributed to the vaneless diffusers. Experimental results demonstrated that the blowers did not stall until the flow coefficient was reduced to very small values, which had never been reported in the literature. The critical flow coefficient for rotating stall agreed very well with the prediction based on a flow analysis and a criterion for rotating stall in vaneless diffusers developed by the authors.

Stall Inception in a High-Speed Centrifugal Compressor During Speed Transients

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangyuan Lou ◽  
John C. Fabian ◽  
Nicole L. Key
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Flow Instability ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Transient Performance ◽  
Stall Inception ◽  
Pressure Transducers

The inception and evolution of rotating stall in a high-speed centrifugal compressor are characterized during speed transients. Experiments were performed in the single stage centrifugal compressor (SSCC) facility at Purdue University and include speed transients from subidle to full speed at different throttle settings while collecting transient performance data. Results show a substantial difference in the compressor transient performance for accelerations versus decelerations. This difference is associated with the heat transfer between the flow and the hardware. The heat transfer from the hardware to the flow during the decelerations locates the compressor operating condition closer to the surge line and results in a significant reduction in surge margin during decelerations. Additionally, data were acquired from fast-response pressure transducers along the impeller shroud, in the vaneless space, and along the diffuser passages. Two different patterns of flow instabilities, including mild surge and short-length-scale rotating stall, are observed during the decelerations. The instability starts with a small pressure perturbation at the impeller leading edge (LE) and quickly develops into a single-lobe rotating stall burst. The stall cell propagates in the direction opposite of impeller rotation at approximately one-third of the rotor speed. The rotating stall bursts are observed in both the impeller and diffuser, with the largest magnitudes near the diffuser throat. Furthermore, the flow instability develops into a continuous high frequency stall and remains in the fully developed stall condition.

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