Reverse engineering and performance analysis of a small-scale centrifugal compressor impeller

Abstract

Analysing the performance of centrifugal compressors can be a time-consuming process, depending on the direction from which the problem is approached: conventional or reverse. For devices such as micro gas turbines (MGTs), the methodology of design often involves taking existing components (e.g., turbocharger impellers) and modifying them to fit into an MGT assembly. The reengineered design is analysed aerodynamically and structurally to predict the performance of the design under normal operating conditions. To achieve this, the reengineered design must be virtualised using methods of reverse-engineering. The purpose of this project was to compare two methods of virtualisation and to evaluate the performance of the resulting CAD models based on CFD calculations and experimental measurements. The ultimate goal was to determine which of the two methods would deliver the best solution in future virtualisation projects.