scholarly journals Generation Mechanism of Diffuser Stall in a Centrifugal Compressor with Vaneless Diffuser

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 190-201
Author(s):  
Nobumichi Fujisawa ◽  
Kenta Tajima ◽  
Hiroshi Miida ◽  
Yutaka Ohta
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Flow Region ◽  
Generation Mechanism ◽  
Cfd Analysis ◽  
Vaneless Diffuser ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Boundary Separation

The generation mechanism of a diffuser stall in a centrifugal compressor with a vaneless diffuser was investigated by experimental and computational analyses. The diffuser stall generated as the mass flow rate decreased. The diffuser stall cell rotated at 25-30 % of the impeller rotational speed, with diffuser stall fluctuations observed at 180° from the cutoff. The diffuser stall fluctuation magnitude gradually increased near the cutoff. According to the CFD analysis, the mass flow fluctuations at the diffuser exit showed a low mass flow region, rotating at approximately 25% of the impeller rotational speed. They began at 180° from the cutoff and developed as this region approached the cutoff. Therefore, the diffuser stall could be simulated by CFD analysis. First, the diffuser stall cell originated at 180° from the cutoff by interaction with boundary separation and impeller discharge vortex. Then, the diffuser stall cell further developed by boundary separation accumulation and the induced low velocity area The low velocity region formed a blockage across the diffuser passage span. The diffuser stall cell expanded due to boundary separation caused by a positive flow angle. Finally, the diffuser stall cell vanished when it passed the cutoff, because mass flow recovery occurred.

The Unsteady Behavior of Diffuser Stall in a Centrifugal Compressor With Vaneless Diffuser

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Miida ◽  
Kenta Tajima ◽  
Nobumichi Fujisawa ◽  
Yutaka Ohta
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Flow Region ◽  
Cfd Analysis ◽  
Vaneless Diffuser ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Boundary Separation ◽  
Low Mass

Abstract The unsteady diffuser stall behavior in a centrifugal compressor with a vaneless diffuser was investigated by experimental and computational analyses. The diffuser stall generated as the mass flow rate decreased. The diffuser stall cell rotated at 25–30% of the impeller rotational speed, with diffuser stall fluctuations observed at 180° from the cutoff. The diffuser stall fluctuation magnitude gradually increased near the cutoff. Based on diffuser inlet velocity measurements, the diffuser stall fluctuations generated near both the shroud and hub sides, and the diffuser stall appeared at 180° and 240° from the cutoff. According to the CFD analysis, the mass flow fluctuations at the diffuser exit showed a low mass flow region, rotating at approximately 25% of the impeller rotational speed. They began at 180° from the cutoff and developed as this region approached the cutoff. Therefore, the diffuser stall could be simulated by CFD analysis. First, the diffuser stall cell originated at 180° from the cutoff by interaction with boundary separation and impeller discharge vortex. Then, the diffuser stall cell further developed by boundary separation accumulation and the induced low velocity area, located at the stall cell center. The low velocity region formed a blockage across the diffuser passage span. The diffuser stall cell expanded in the impeller rotational direction due to boundary separation caused by a positive flow angle. Finally, the diffuser stall cell vanished when it passed the cutoff, because mass flow recovery occurred.

Rotating Mechanism of Diffuser Stall in a Centrifugal Compressor With Vaneless Diffuser

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobumichi Fujisawa ◽  
Yuki Agari ◽  
Yoshifumi Yamao ◽  
Yutaka Ohta
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Reverse Flow ◽  
Boundary Layer Separation ◽  
Vaneless Diffuser ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Discharge Flow ◽  
Layer Separation

Abstract The rotating mechanism of diffuser stall in a centrifugal compressor with a vaneless diffuser is investigated via experimental and computational analyses. Diffuser stall is generated as the mass flow rate decreases, and it rotates at 25%–30% of the impeller rotational speed. First, a diffuser stall cell emerges at 180° from the cutoff by the hub-side boundary layer separation. Subsequently, the diffuser stall cell develops further owing to boundary layer separation accumulation and an induced low-velocity area. The low-velocity region forms a blockage across the diffuser passage span. The diffuser stall cell expands owing to the boundary layer separations that occurred on the shroud and hub wall by turns. Finally, the diffuser stall cell vanishes when it passes the cutoff because mass flow recovery occurred. Furthermore, the static pressure ahead of the rotating stall decreases because of the merging of the impeller discharge flow and the reverse flow from the casing. Accordingly, a reverse flow occurred owing to the evolution of the separation vortex at the diffuser exit. In addition, the flow angle decreases by the merging of the impeller discharge flow and reverse flow from the casing. Therefore, boundary layer separations start occurring on the shroud and hub wall ahead of the stall cell. The rotating mechanism of the diffuser stall is induced by the reverse flow development and a decrease in the flow angle ahead of the stall cell.

Numerical Analysis of the Flow Inside a Centrifugal Compressor’s Vaneless Diffuser and Volute

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hooman Rezaei ◽  
Abraham Engeda ◽  
Paul Haley
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Vaneless Diffuser ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Minimum Medium ◽  
Good Agreement

Abstract The objective of this work was to perform numerical analysis of the flow inside a modified single stage CVHF 1280 Trane centrifugal compressor’s vaneless diffuser and volute. Gambit was utilized to read the casing geometry and generating the vaneless diffuser. An unstructured mesh was generated for the path from vaneless diffuser inlet to conic diffuser outlet. At the same time a meanline analysis was performed corresponding to speeds and mass flow rates of the experimental data in order to obtain the absolute velocity and flow angle leaving the impeller for those operating conditions. These values and experimental data were used as inlet and outlet boundary conditions for the simulations. Simulations were performed in Fluent 5.0 for three speeds of 2000, 3000 and 3497 RPM and mass flow rates of minimum, medium and maximum. Results are in good agreement with the experimental ones and present the flow structures inside the vaneless diffuser and volute.

Centrifugal Compressor Performance Prediction Using Gaussian Process Regression and Artificial Neural Networks

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pau Cutrina Vilalta ◽  
Hui Wan ◽  
Soumya S. Patnaik
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow Rate ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Data Augmentation ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Gaussian Process Regression ◽  
Compressor Performance ◽  
Artificial Neural

Abstract In this paper, we use various regression models and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to predict the centrifugal compressor performance map. Particularly, we study the accuracy and efficiency of Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) and Artificial Neural Networks in modelling the pressure ratio, given the mass flow rate and rotational speed of a centrifugal compressor. Preliminary results show that both GPR and ANN can predict the compressor performance map well, for both interpolation and extrapolation. We also study the data augmentation and data minimzation effects using the GPR. Due to the inherent pressure ratio data distribution in mass-flow-rate and rotational-speed space, data augmentation in the rotational speed is more effective to improve the ANN performance than the mass flow rate data augmentation.

Instability of the Flow in a Mixed-Flow-Type Vaneless Diffuser System

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiromu Tsurusaki
Keyword(s):  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Velocity Ratio ◽  
Inlet Pipe ◽  
Vaneless Diffuser ◽  
Unstable Flow ◽  
Mixed Flow ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Fast Speed ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Speed Mode

This study was carried out in order to investigate the unstable flow through a mixed-flow-type vaneless diffuser system. The testing equipment consists of a vaneless diffuser, an inlet pipe, and a swirl flow generator. Pressure fluctuations of the flow through the diffuser were measured. In the experiment, the velocity ratio (axial velocity/peripheral velocity) at the diffuser inlet, diffuser width, inlet pipe length, hub diameter, and mixed flow angle of the diffuser were varied. The internal flow condition existing when the unstable flow occurred is discussed in terms of turbulent flow analysis. The main findings of this study are as follows. The unstable flow is excited when the aforementioned velocity ratio is lowered under a critical value. The source of the unstable flow is the mixed flow vaneless diffuser. The rotational speed of the cell and the intensity of pressure fluctuation are influenced remarkably by diffuser width. The inlet pipe acts as an attenuator for the unstable flow of the diffuser. A prediction equation for rotational speed of the cell is proposed. Prediction of back flow in the diffuser is useful for prediction of the onset of unstable flow. Unstable flow with a fast-speed mode was measured when the diffuser had a small hub and a small mixed flow angle. The fast-speed mode is believed to arise from instability in the inlet pipe system.

Off-Design Flow Measurements in a Centrifugal Compressor Vaneless Diffuser

1995 ◽  
Vol 117 (4) ◽  
pp. 602-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Pinarbasi ◽  
M. W. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Design Flow ◽  
Vaneless Diffuser ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
Vaned Diffuser ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Study Results

Detailed measurements have been taken of the three-dimensional velocity field within the vaneless diffuser of a backswept low speed centrifugal compressor using hot-wire anemometry. A 16 percent below and an 11 percent above design flow rate were used in the present study. Results at both flow rates show how the blade wake mixes out more rapidly than the passage wake. Strong secondary flows inherited from the impeller at the higher flow rate delay the mixing out of the circumferential velocity variations, but at both flow rates these circumferential variations are negligible at the last measurement station. The measured tangential/radial flow angle is used to recommend optimum values for the vaneless space and vane angle for design of a vaned diffuser.

CFD-model of Vaneless Diffuser of Centrifugal Compressor

2021 ◽  
pp. 109-130
Author(s):  
О.А. Solovyeva ◽  
А.А. Drozdov ◽  
E.Yu. Popova ◽  
K.V. Soldatova
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Dynamic Characteristics ◽  
Modeling Method ◽  
Relative Width ◽  
Vaneless Diffuser ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Flow Parameters ◽  
Gas Dynamic ◽  
Vaneless Diffusers

The centrifugal compressor design involves the use of approximate engineering techniques based on mathematical modeling. One of such techniques is the universal modeling method, which proves to be practically applicable. Having generalized a series of CFD calculations, we used a mathematical model in the latest version of the compressor model to calculate flow parameters in vaneless diffusers. The diffuser model was identified based on the results of experimental studies of average-flow model stages carried out at SPbPU. The model is also used to calculate Clark low-flow centrifugal compressor stages with narrow diffusers with a relative width in the range of 0.5--2.0 %. For these stages, the developed mathematical model showed insufficient efficiency, since the dimensions of the diffusers go beyond the limits of its applicability. To solve this problem, we calculated a series of vaneless diffusers with a relative width in the range of 0.6--1.2 % in the ANSYS CFX software package. Relying on the results of CFD calculations, we plotted the gas dynamic characteristics of the loss coefficients and changes in the flow angle depending on the flow angle at the inlet to the vaneless diffuser. To process the calculated data, the method of regression analysis was applied, with the help of which a system of algebraic equations was developed that connects geometric, gas-dynamic parameters and similarity criteria. The obtained equations are included in a new mathematical model of the universal modeling method for calculating the flow parameters of vaneless diffusers. Comparison of the calculated gas-dynamic characteristics according to the new model with experimental data showed the average error of modeling the calculated (maximum) efficiency equal to 1.08 %

Investigation of the instability mechanisms in a turbocharger centrifugal compressor with a vaneless diffuser by means of unsteady simulations

2016 ◽  
Vol 231 (11) ◽  
pp. 1558-1567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinqian Zheng ◽  
Anxiong Liu ◽  
Zhenzhong Sun
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Simulation Method ◽  
Great Accuracy ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Vaneless Diffuser ◽  
Unstable Flow ◽  
Low Velocity

The stable-flow range of a compressor is predominantly limited by surge and stall. In this paper, an unsteady simulation method was employed to investigate the instability mechanisms of a high-speed turbocharger centrifugal compressor with a vaneless diffuser. In comparison with the variation in the pressure obtained by dynamic experiments on the same compressor, unsteady simulations show a great accuracy in representing the stall behaviour. The predicted frequency of the rotating stall is 22.5% of the rotor frequency, which agrees with to the value for the high-frequency short-term rotating stall obtained experimentally. By investigating the instability of the flow field, it is found that the unstable flow of the turbocharger compressor at high rotational speeds is caused by the tip clearance leakage flow and the ‘backflow vortices’ originating from the interaction of the incoming flow and the backflow in the tip region of the passages. The asymmetric volute helps to induce the occurrence of stall in certain impeller passages because it generates an asymmetric flow field. The high-pressure low-velocity area from the 180° circumferential position to the 270° circumferential position is dominant and strengthens the backflow at the trailing edge of the impeller, finally triggering the stall.

Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Tip Clearance to the Performance of a Small Centrifugal Compressor

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Tang ◽  
Teemu Turunen-Saaresti ◽  
Arttu Reunanen ◽  
Juha Honkatukia ◽  
Jaakko Larjola
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Ideal Gas ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Real Gas ◽  
Mass Flow Rates

Numerical analysis is conducted for the 3-dimensional impeller and vaneless diffuser of a small centrifugal compressor. The influence of impeller tip clearance is investigated. A Navier-Stokes flow solver Finflo has been applied for the simulation. A practical real gas model has been generated for the calculation. Simulations with different sizes of tip clearance at different mass flow rates have been made. The results are compared to experimental results at a certain tip clearance and one operating point. Reasonable agreement has been obtained. The ideal gas model has also been applied to compare with the real gas model. The numerical results show that tip clearance has a significant effect on the performance of a small centrifugal compressor. As the size of tip clearance increases, both the pressure ratio and the efficiency decrease. The decreasing rate of efficiency is higher at higher mass flow rates and lower at lower mass flow rates. The input power of the compressor hardly changes with different sizes of tip clearance, but increases as the mass flow rate increases. The incidence of impeller and flow angle at the exit of the impeller increase as the size of tip clearance increases. Correlations of the size of tip clearance with the efficiency drop and change of flow angle at the exit of impeller are given. The detailed flow distribution shows that as the size of tip clearance increases, the tangential leaking flow at the tip clearance makes the low velocity flow region grow larger and move from the suction-shroud corner to the center of the flow channel. The main flow at the pressure side is compressed and accelerated. Therefore the uniformity of the flow in the whole channel decreases. The detailed flow distribution also shows that the leaking flow is stronger at higher mass flow rates.

Experimental and Theoretical Analysis of the Flow in a Centrifugal Compressor Volute

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abraham Engeda
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Analysis ◽  
Flow Structure ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Sudden Expansion ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Vaneless Diffuser ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Pressure Distributions ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Good Agreement

Volute scroll, conic diffuser and sudden expansion discharge loss account for 4–6 points of efficiency decrement in a typical centrifugal compressor stage. The flow in a volute is highly comlex. It is strongly believed that understanding of the detailed flow structure in a volute will provide insights on minimizing the losses by isolating the mechanisms that contributes to entropy generation. The result will be more efficient centrifugal compressor product for customers at higher profitability levels for manufacturers. Results of an experimental and theoretical analysis of the flow inside in a single stage centrifugal compressor volute are presented. Experiments were performed at three speeds and eight mass flow rates per speed. Static pressure distributions were mapped on the vaneless diffuser and volute casings. This data gave a good understanding of the flow structure in the volute. A meanline analysis was performed using the experimental results in order to obtain the absolute velocity and flow angle leaving the impeller. The combination of the two data sets was used as boundary conditions for a theoretical analysis. Theoretical results showed the detail flow structures inside the vaneless diffuser and volute with good agreement to the experiment.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document