A Performance Evaluation of a Three Splitter Diffuser and Vaneless Diffuser Installed on the Power Turbine Exhaust of a TF40B Gas Turbine

A field test was conducted on a three splitter diffuser and a vaneless diffuser (no splitters) to determine, the pressure recovery coefficient, effects on engine performance, exhaust collector temperature distribution, and exhaust gas noise.

This paper presents the cause of the mechanical failure of the three splitter diffuser, basic diffuser design, field test instrumentation, and the test results. The test results found the vaneless diffuser had a higher pressure recovery, created a lower back pressure, and did not raise the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) nor fuel consumption of the engine, as compared to the three splitter diffuser.