The Interaction Between the Impeller and Casing in a Small-Size Turbo-Compressor

The effects of casing shape on the performance and the interaction between the impeller and casing in a small-size turbo-compressor are investigated. Numerical analysis is conducted for the compressor with circular and single volute casings from inlet to discharge nozzle. In order to predict the flow pattern inside the entire impeller, vaneless diffuer and casing, calculations with multiple frames of reference method between the rotating and stationery parts of the domain are carried out. For compressible turbulent flow fields, the continuity and three-dimensional time-averaged Navier-Stokes equations are employed. To evaluate the performance of two types of casings, the static pressure and loss coefficients are obtained with various flow rates. Also, static pressure distributions around casings are studied for different casing shapes, which are very important to predict the distribution of radial load. To prove the accuracy of numerical results, measurements of static pressure around casing and pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the compressor are performed for the circular casing. Comparison of these results between the experimental and numerical analyses are conducted, and reasonable agreement is obtained.