Abstract
A three-dimensional viscous code has been developed to solve Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. The governing equations in finite volume form are solved by two-step Runge-Kutta scheme with implicit residual smoothing. The eddy viscous is obtained using the Baldwin-Lomax model. A prediction of the 3-D turbulent flow and the performance in the “all-over controlled vortex distribution” centrifugal impeller with a vaneless diffuser has been made for the compressor at design and off-design condition. The predicted effi-ciency is a little higher than the experiment data. These results suggest that the present calculation code is able to determine the flow development in the impeller and also the turbulence model in the centrifugal im-peller should be improved.
Highlights
Centrifugal compressors are used widely in industry due to their advantages of simple structure and high-pressure ratio
A prediction of the 3-D turbulent flow and the performance in the “all-over controlled vortex distribution” centrifugal impeller with a vaneless diffuser has been made for the compressor at design and off-design condition
The predicted efficiency is a little higher than the experiment data. These results suggest that the present calculation code is able to determine the flow development in the impeller and the turbulence model in the centrifugal impeller should be improved
Summary
Centrifugal compressors are used widely in industry due to their advantages of simple structure and high-pressure ratio Their efficiency and stability are adversely influenced by the present of impeller exit flow non-uniformity. The work of Eckardt’s [1] and Krain’s [2] are most representative in all related experimental research Their studies indicated that both complicated secondary flows and separated boundary layer would cause the radial and circumferential non-uniform flows at the outlet, and the performance of the centrifugal compressor decreases. Further research is necessary to develop a more accurate and faster, numerical predicting code, which will provide the sophisticated tool to predict the aerodynamic performance of a high-speed centrifugal compressor for designing an impeller with higher pressure-ratio and efficiency. It is hoped that the present study will provide a useful predication tool to aid in the future experimental work and the industrial design
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