Flow visualisation studies and the effect of tongue area on the performance of volute casings of centrifugal machines

Abstract

The present paper deals with flow visualization studies and the effect of tongue area on the performance of the volute casings of centrifugal machines with a swirling flow free from jets and wakes at their inlet. The flow visualization studies by wool tuft movements were conducted in the volute channel as well as in the exit diffuser and interpreted according to Moore and Kline[1]. Flow separation was observed at high inlet swirl angles near the volute tongue as well as in the exit diffuser. It was found that the volute performance was strongly dependent on the tongue area at low and high inlet swirl angles.