The interaction between impeller and diffuser is considered to have strong influence on the flow in centrifugal compressors. However, the knowledge about this influence is still not satisfying. This two-part paper presents an experimental investigation of the effect of impeller-diffuser interaction on the unsteady and the time averaged flow field configuration in impeller and diffuser and the performance of these components. The flat wedge vaned diffuser of the investigated compressor allows an independent adjustment of diffuser vane angle and radial gap between impeller exit and diffuser vane inlet. Attention is mainly directed to the radial gap, as it determines the intensity of the impeller-diffuser interaction. Part I deals with the integral flow losses and the diffusion in impeller, diffuser and the entire compressor. An extensive test series with steady probe measurements at impeller exit and diffuser exit was performed at 10 different diffuser geometries and different operating points. The results show that in most cases smaller radial gaps are leading to a more homogeneous flow field at diffuser vane exit and to a higher diffuser pressure recovery resulting in a higher compressor efficiency. On the other hand, impeller efficiency is hardly affected by the radial gap. In Part II, measurements with a laser-2-focus velocimeter are presented illuminating the reasons for the effects found. The experimental results are published as an open CFD test case under the name “Radiver.”
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e-mail: kai.ziegler@muc.mtu.de
e-mail: niehuis@ist.rwth-aachen.de
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January 2003
Technical Papers
A Study on Impeller-Diffuser Interaction—Part I: Influence on the Performance
Kai U. Ziegler,
e-mail: kai.ziegler@muc.mtu.de
Kai U. Ziegler
RWTH Aachen, University of Technology, Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery, 52062 Aachen, Germany
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Heinz E. Gallus,
Heinz E. Gallus
RWTH Aachen, University of Technology, Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery, 52062 Aachen, Germany
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Reinhard Niehuis
e-mail: niehuis@ist.rwth-aachen.de
Reinhard Niehuis
RWTH Aachen, University of Technology, Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery, 52062 Aachen, Germany
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Kai U. Ziegler
11
RWTH Aachen, University of Technology, Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery, 52062 Aachen, Germany
e-mail: kai.ziegler@muc.mtu.de
Heinz E. Gallus
RWTH Aachen, University of Technology, Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery, 52062 Aachen, Germany
Reinhard Niehuis
RWTH Aachen, University of Technology, Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery, 52062 Aachen, Germany
e-mail: niehuis@ist.rwth-aachen.de
Contributed by the International Gas Turbine Institute and presented at the International Gas Turbine and Aeroengine Congress and Exhibition, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, June 3–6, 2002. Manuscript received by the IGTI, October 26, 2001. Paper No. 2002-GT-30381. Review Chair: E. Benvenuti.
J. Turbomach. Jan 2003, 125(1): 173-182 (10 pages)
Published Online: January 23, 2003
Article history
Received:
October 26, 2001
Online:
January 23, 2003
Citation
Ziegler, K. U., Gallus , H. E., and Niehuis, R. (January 23, 2003). "A Study on Impeller-Diffuser Interaction—Part I: Influence on the Performance ." ASME. J. Turbomach. January 2003; 125(1): 173–182. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1516814
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