Radial Flow Compressor Research Articles

Schlieren Systems for Flow Visualization in Axial and Radial Flow Compressors

Optical setups have been designed and built at ONERA to visualize aerodynamic flows within a fixed annular cascade, a supersonic axial compressor, and a supersonic centrifugal compressor. As these setups work by reflection on the metallic surfaces carrying the blades, special devices had to be devised for each installation. In rotating machines, the rapid evolution of the phenomena necessitates, for image recording, the use of strotoscopic synchronization devices, of fast, flash-synchronized cameras, of electronic shutters and of flash lamps. The schlieren visualization of the flow, made possible by these devices, is a precious tool to define more compact machines with high compression rates and minimum losses.

Supersonic Diffuser for Radial and Mixed Flow Compressors

Presentation is made for the design concepts of a novel diffuser that handles supersonic flow at the exit of radial and mixed flow compressors. The guide vanes incorporating a V shape at the inlet are shown to offer potentialities of a shock free deceleration of the supersonic flow. Optimum diffusion of a high-speed flow is considered. The results are applied to the design of two sets of guide vanes for the diffusing system. The experimental evaluation of these guide vanes confirms the original conceptual thinking, with a highest diffuser performance of 0.792 at an inlet Mach number of 1.3. Effect of the blade loading and of the subsonic inlet Mach number on the guide vanes are presented. Actual performance of the diffuser in a compressor of a gas turbine is discussed.

Radial-Flow Compressors and Turbines for the Simple Small Gas Turbine

Abstract This paper describes the procedure followed in developing an acceptable radial-flow turbine for use with a lightweight gas-turbine-driven fire pump for the Navy Bureau of Ships. In the course of this work considerable data were accumulated on general design information and practice on radial compressors and turbines. A review is given of these data as well as the current design approach for a simple cycle radial-flow gas turbine. A discussion of the factors and variables which affect the performance of radial turbomachines is included.

Closure to “Discussions of ‘Radial-Flow Compressors and Turbines for the Simple Small Gas Turbine’” (1952, Trans. ASME, 74, pp. 1345–1346)

Closure to “Discussions of ‘Radial-Flow Compressors and Turbines for the Simple Small Gas Turbine’” (1952, Trans. ASME, 74, pp. 1345–1346)