Abstract
A numerical model for the genetic optimization of the volute of a centrifugal compressor for light commercial vehicles is presented. The volute cross-sectional shape is represented by cubic B-splines and its control points are used as design variables. The goal of the global optimization is to maximize the average compressor isentropic efficiency and total pressure ratio at design speed and four operating points. The numerical model consists of a density-based solver in combination with the SSTk-ωturbulence model with rotation/curvature correction and the multiple reference frame approach. The initial validation shows a good agreement between the numerical model and test bench measurements. As a result of the optimization, the average total pressure rise and efficiency are increased by over1.0%compared to the initial designs of the optimization, while the maximum efficiency rise is nearly 2.5% atm˙corr=0.19 kg/s.
Highlights
Due to increasing environmental awareness and stricter pollution policies, the demand for low carbon vehicles is steadily growing
The total pressure ratio as well as the isentropic efficiency is plotted for a cell count of (2.01–5.98) × 106
The results reveal a linear correlation between total pressure ratio and isentropic efficiency
Summary
Due to increasing environmental awareness and stricter pollution policies, the demand for low carbon vehicles is steadily growing. Despite an increase in CFD-based optimization, the vast amount of research work is unilaterally focused on the improvement of the compressor wheel and blade design. Parametrization of the cross-sectional shape can be achieved using splines in combination with extrusion in pitchwise direction This allows for fast geometry and mesh generation, which is essential for automatic optimization. It is more time consuming compared to blade or impeller investigations For these reasons, research work on the field of volute optimization is very limited or restricted to simplified geometric variations. The efficiency of the volute is increased by about 6% (see Figure 3(b)) and the total pressure loss coefficient is reduced by about 0.04. Despite the significance of the volute geometry, research work regarding the numerical optimization of this part of a centrifugal compressor is very limited. The goal is the improvement of the compressor total pressure ratio and isentropic efficiency
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
