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Computational study of radial gap effect between impeller and diffuser on the unsteadiness of vaned diffuser in a centrifugal compressor

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Abstract

Understanding the unsteady fluid dynamics inside the diffuser holds the key to improve the performance of centrifugal compressor. A detailed computational study has been conducted in a low-speed centrifugal compressor to understand the unsteady flow mechanisms that govern the static pressure recovery inside the vaned diffusers. Simulations are carried out for three different leading edge locations at design and off-design conditions. The study is carried out using Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes simulations. This study revealed that the unsteady fluctuations exhibit contrasting behavior at different radial gaps and flow coefficients. An optimum radial gap is strictly a function of the stage loading. A high radial gap helps contain the fluctuations at low flow coefficients, but it enhances the fluctuations at high flow coefficients. If the leading edge is kept close to the impeller blade, then the above design flow coefficient of the vaned passage facilitates a reduction in the unsteady fluctuations. On the contrary, keeping the leading edge close to the impeller blade can accelerate the unsteady fluctuations at low flow coefficients.

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Author notes

  1. N. Sitaram

    Present address: Present Address: School of Aeronautical Sciences, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, 1, Rajiv Gandhi Salai (OMR), Padur, (Via) Kelambakkam, Chennai, 603103, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Turbomachines Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Mangalore, 575025, India

    S. Anish

  2. Turbomachines Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, Chennai, 600036, India

    N. Sitaram

Authors
  1. S. Anish
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Correspondence to S. Anish.

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Recommended by Associate Editor Donghyun You

S. Anish received his Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras). He is currently an Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka, India. His research interests are fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and turbomachinery aerodynamics.

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Anish, S., Sitaram, N. Computational study of radial gap effect between impeller and diffuser on the unsteadiness of vaned diffuser in a centrifugal compressor. J Mech Sci Technol 31, 5291–5298 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-017-1023-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-017-1023-2

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