Experimental and numerical investigation on application of half vane diffusers for centrifugal pump

Vaned diffusers are widely used in centrifugal pumps, but little research has been published regarding action mechanism and the influence of diffuser vane height on dynamics performance of centrifugal pumps. Experimentally and numerically, the present investigation was focused on the dynamics performances of a low specific speed centrifugal pump equipped with vane diffusers with different vane heights. The pump performance was appraised when the diffuser vane height (h/b) was 0 (vaneless), 0.5, 0.6, 0.8 and 1 (vaned) times the diffuser width respectively. The pressure fields were numerically simulated in order to study the influence of half vane diffusers on inner flow field. The experimental results of operating performance showed that the efficiency was significantly improved for 2.5% at design flow point and the head was significantly improved for nearly 3 m at over flow point. The best efficiency point shifted towards higher flow rate with h/b reducing, and the high efficiency area was broadened by using half vane diffusers. Besides, half vane diffusers could reduce the intensity of pressure fluctuations at the leading edge of the stator vanes, and reduce the influence of rotor-stator interaction in tongue region. The numerical results showed that half vane diffusers could enhance flow uniformity in pumps, symmetry of pressure distributions on the impeller outlet and preferable regularity of radial force distributions. Therefore, it is very useful and feasible to apply half vane diffusers in centrifugal pumps.     

Influence of various volute designs on volute overall performance

This paper discusses the influence of various volute designs on volute overall performance for a certain centrifu- gal compressor with both vaned and vaneless diffuser. Firstly, based on a free vortex flow pattern and the assumption of a circumferentially uniform flow at the design condition, a corrected method for volute design is adopted. By means of this method, corresponding to five geometric parameters affecting the volute overall performance, ten volute cases are designed. Secondly, the numerical simulation is employed and the detailed flow field and losses in different volutes with different geometric parameters are analyzed. The numerical investigation reveals that in all of the five geometric parameters, the radial location of the cross-section has the strongest influence on the performance of the volute. The non-uniform volute inlet formed by the upward vaned diffuser outlet flow is another important factor. Finally a relatively better value of D1/D2 is concluded.     

叶片安装角对离心压气机扩压器气动性能及失速机理影响研究

为了研究离心压气机扩压器异常叶片对于失速现象的诱发效果，以带有叶扩压器的高速离心压气机为研究对象，通过整体或局部改变扩压器叶片安装角，开展非定常数值模拟研究并与实验结果对比验证，研究叶片安装角改变对离心压气机性能、动态特性以及失速机理的影响规律。研究表明：整体负方向旋转叶片安装角会促使扩压器更加不稳定，旋转角度从-5°到5°，最高效率点对应的质量流量逐渐增大。其中安装角偏转+5°扩压器叶片前缘靠近轮缘壁面发生流动分离，诱使无叶区间产生回流；而偏转-5°扩压器轮毂附近的流动分离主要发生在尾缘，造成扩压器叶片吸力面附近产生大范围回流。单个叶片安装角发生较大偏转(大于10°)时，扩压器比叶轮更早进入失速状态，且失速的机制可能会随着安装角偏移的增大发生改变。     

离心压气机错排叶栅扩压器性能研究

依据叶片设计的基本理论,在原设计单列圆弧叶栅扩压器的基础上,根据相似准则设计了一种新型的双列错排叶栅扩压器;同时利用NACA叶型又设计了另一种双列错排叶栅扩压器。随后重点对三种扩压器与离心叶轮相连后的结构性能进行了详细的三维粘性数值模拟研究,并对流场中的压力、速度、极限流线和熵分布情况进行了全面的分析。研究结果表明：基于NACA叶型的双列错排叶栅扩压器可以更好地利用叶轮出口的动能,从而提高叶轮-扩压器结构的效率;但若叶栅的叶型设计不合理,则会使总压比降低,效率反而降低,即叶型对错排叶栅扩压器的性能影响较大。     

Aerodynamic Performance and Noise Characteristics of a Centrifugal Compressor with Modified Vaned Diffusers

Improvement of aerodynamic performance and reduction of interaction tone noise of a centrifugal compressorwith vaned diffusers are discussed by experiments and visualization techniques using a colored oil-film method.The focus of the research is concentrated on the leading edge shape of diffuser vanes that are deeply related to thegeneration mechanism of the interaction tone noise.The compressor-radiated noise can be reduced by more thanten decibels by using modified diffuser vanes which have 3-D tapered shapes on both pressure and suction sur-faces of the leading edge.Furthermore,by adopting the proposed modified diffuser vanes,the secondary flowwhich is considered to be an obstruction of diffuser pressure recovery can be suppressed,and also the pressuredecrease observed in the throat part of the diffuser flow passage is reducible.Thus,the proposed diffuser vanesshow a favorable result for both noise and the aerodynamic performance of the centrifugal compressor,and offera few basic guidelines for the diffuser vane design.     

A Real-coded Genetic Algorithm Applied to Optimum Design of a Low Solidity Vaned Diffuser for Diffuser Pinup

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A Real—coded Genetic Algorithm Applied to Optimum Design of a Low Solidity Vaned Diffuser for Diffuser Pump

A numerical procedure for hydrodynamic redesign of the conventional vaned diffuser into the low solidity vaned diffuser by means of a real-coded genetic algorithm with Boltzmann,Tournament and Roulette Wheel selection is presented.In the first part,an investigation on the relative efficiency of the different real-coded genetic algorithm is carried out on a typical mathematical test function.The real-coded genetic algorithm with Boltzmann selection shows the best optimization performance compared to the Tournament and Roulette Wheel selection.In the second part,an approach to redesign the vaned diffuser profile is introduced.Goal of the optimum design is to search the highest static pressure recovery coefficient and low solidity vaned diffuser.The result of the low solidity vaned diffuser optimum design confirms that the efficiency and optimization performance of the real-coded Boltzmann selection genetic algorithm outperforms the other selection methods.A comparison between the designed low solidity vaned diffuser and original vaned diffuser shows that the diffuser pump with the redesigned low solidity vaned diffuser has the higher static pressure recovery and improved total hydrodynamic performance.In addition,the smaller outlet diameter of designed vaned diffuser tends to a more compact size of diffuser pump compared to the original diffuser pump.The obtained results also demonstrate the real-coded Boltzmann selection genetic algorithm is a promising optimization algorithm for centrifugal pumps design．     

Diffuser design influence on the performance of solar thermal storage tanks

The effect of the inlet and outlet diffuser design on the performance of thermal stratification in a vertical water tank is investigated experimentally. Two sets of diffusers are used in the experiments, which are conducted with a moving thermocline (both up and down) for different flow rates. The results indicate that the preservation of the initial thermocline is excellent when using a settling mesh. It is also shown that the extraction efficiency of the tank is higher at low flow rates during charging, whereas it is lower at low flow rates during discharging.     

离心压缩机无叶扩压器的改进新方法

研究了某高压比离心压缩机无叶扩压器的性能，提出在无叶扩压器轮盘侧加装一定高度机翼型导叶的改进方法。结果表明，这种扩压器可以改善其内部流动，提高自身的压力恢复系数和效率，从而改善离心压缩机的整级性能。     

An experimental description of the flow in a centrifugal compressor from alternate stall to surge

The present paper gives the experimental results obtained in a centrifugal compressor stage designed and built by SAFRAN Helicopter Engines.The compressor is composed of inlet guide vanes,a backswept splittered unshrouded impeller,a splittered vaned radial diffuser and axial outlet guide vanes.Previous numerical simulations revealed a particular S-shape pressure rise characteristic at partial rotation speed and predicted an alternate flow pattern in the vaned radial diffuser at low mass flow rate.This alternate flow pattern involves two adjacent vane passages.One passage exhibits very low momentum and a low pressure recovery,whereas the adjacent passage has very high momentum in the passage inlet and diffuses efficiently.Experimental measurements confirm the S-shape of the pressure rise characteristic even if the stability limit experimentally occurs at higher mass flow than numerically predicted.At low mass flow the alternate stall pattern is confirmed thanks to the data obtained by high-frequency pressure sensors.As the compressor is throttled the path to instability has been registered and a first scenario of the surge inception is given.The compressor first experiences a steady alternate stall in the diffuser.As the mass flow decreases,the alternate stall amplifies and triggers the mild surge in the vaned diffuser.An unsteady behavior results from the interaction of the alternate stall and the mild surge.Finally,when the pressure gradient becomes too strong,the alternate stall blows away and the compressor enters into deep surge.     

Design and optimization of a single stage centrifugal compressor for a solar dish-Brayton system

According to the requirements of a solar dish-Brayton system,a centrifugal compressor stage with a minimum total pressure ratio of 5,an adiabatic efficiency above 75% and a surge margin more than 12% needs to be designed.A single stage,which consists of impeller,radial vaned diffuser,90° crossover and two rows of axial stators,was chosen to satisfy this system.To achieve the stage performance,an impeller with a 6:1 total pressure ratio and an adiabatic efficiency of 90% was designed and its preliminary geometry came from an in-house one-dimensional program.Radial vaned diffuser was applied downstream of the impeller.Two rows of axial stators after 90° crossover were added to guide the flow into axial direction.Since jet-wake flow,shockwave and boundary layer separation coexisted in the impeller-diffuser region,optimization on the radius ratio of radial diffuser vane inlet to impeller exit,diffuser vane inlet blade angle and number of diffuser vanes was carried out at design point.Finally,an optimized centrifugal compressor stage fulfilled the high expectations and presented proper performance.Numerical simulation showed that at design point the stage adiabatic efficiency was 79.93% and the total pressure ratio was 5.6.The surge margin was 15%.The performance map including 80%,90% and 100% design speed was also presented.     

Interaction between Struts and Swirl Flow in Gas Turbine Exhaust Diffusers

The increasing use of gas turbines in combined cycle power plants together with the high amount of kinetic energy in modern gas turbine exhaust flows focuses attention on the design of gas turbine diffusers as the connecting part between the Brayton/Joule and the Rankine parts of the combined cycle. A scale model of a typical gas turbine exhaust diffuser is investigated experimentally. The test rig consists of a radial type, variable swirl generator which provides the exhaust flow corresponding to different gas turbine operating conditions. Static pressure measurements are carried out along the outer diffuser walls and along the hub of the annular part and along the centerline of the conical diffuser. Velocity distributions at several axial positions in the annular and conical diffuser have been measured using a Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV). Pressure recovery coefficients and velocity profiles are depicted as a function of diffuser length for several combinations of swirl strength, tip flow and strut geometries. The diffuser without struts achieved a higher pressure recovery than the diffuser with struts at all swirl angle settings. The diffuser with cylindrical struts achieved a higher pressure recovery than the diffuser with profiled struts at all swirl angle settings. Inlet flows with swirl angles over 18?affected the pressure recovery negatively for all strut configurations.     

Loss characteristics and flow rectification property of diffuser valves for micropump applications

The primary motivation for this work is to provide data on the loss characteristics and flow rectification performance of flat-walled microdiffuser valves for Reynolds numbers between 100 and 2000 which is considered deficient in literature. The diffusers are designed with a fixed slenderness of 15 and an aspect ratio of 0.92 and with diverging angles ranging from 4° to 120°. The total pressure loss coefficient of the diffuser flow is determined experimentally. Components of the loss are studied in detail by numerical simulations. Results from the computations are in satisfactory agreement with the measurements. Simulations are also carried out for nozzle flows. Based on the experimental and the computational results, efficiencies of the diffuser valves are calculated. It is shown that, for laminar flows, global flow separation plays a significant role in reducing the loss of the diffuser. Consequently, the diffuser angle corresponding to the optimum diffuser efficiency varies from 40° at Re = 100 to 20° for Re ?500.     

离心压气机宽无叶扩压器旋转失速的数值研究

无叶扩压器作为离心压气机的重要部件,研究其内部旋转失速的诱发过程及机理对离心压气机无叶扩压器旋转失速的主动控制具有重要意义。利用ANSYS平台对离心压气机建模并对其旋转失速过程进行非稳态数值模拟。结果表明:离心压气机无叶扩压器旋转失速是随着流量的逐渐减小建立起来的,失速工况点位于性能曲线的负斜率区;无叶扩压器内部,低速区靠近扩压器盖侧,高速区靠近扩压器盘侧;宽无叶扩压器的旋转失速与扩压器出口回流区有关,出口处回流区逐渐向扩压器内部发展,导致核心流发生畸变,最终导致旋转失速的发生。     

Unstable Head-Flow Characteristic Generation Mechanism of a Low Specific Speed Mixed Flow Pump

This paper treats the flow instabilities in a mixed flow pump with a vaned diffuser. Test pump has a positive slope of a head-flow performance curve at 65% flow rate of BEP (Best Efficiency Point) because of a rotating stall. Dynamic Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and pressure fluctuation measurements are used for investigating the propagation mechanism of a rotating stall. It was found that unstable performance was caused by periodical large scale abrupt backflow generated from the vaned diffuser to the outlet of impeller. Further, the relation between the static pressure at the inlet of diffuser vane and the internal flow condition was clarified. From these experimental results, in order to improve the positive slope of a head-flow performance curve, to suppress the growth of strong vortex toward the inlet of diffuser vane was proved to be a key point.     

基于本征正交分解的无叶扩压器流动稳定性Galerkin降阶模型

将分析湍流拟序结构中的本征正交分解技术运用到离心压气机无叶扩压器的流动稳定性分析中,并将其与Galerkin投影法相结合建立了无叶扩压器内部流场的降阶模型。使用本征正交分解技术提取无叶扩压器在某来流入口角下非定常流场的主要流动模态,将流动控制方程通过Galerkin方法投影至由有限阶本征正交模态所组成的空间上,得到无叶扩压器流动稳定性降阶模型。计算结果表明:该模型可用于判断不同来流入口角下的扩压器流动稳定性,并将降阶模型的计算结果与流场数值模拟结果和线性稳定性预测结果进行对比,验证了此降阶方法的合理性。     

带无叶扩压器离心压气机的稳定性分析

结合实验数据,采用数值模拟方法对某带无叶扩压器离心压气机的性能与稳定性进行了详细分析,比较了设计点与近失速点下无叶扩压器内部的流动特征．结果表明：在发生喘振瞬间,扩压器进口最先出现了压力崩溃;扩压器进口流动特别是轮盖侧流动是导致压气机失稳的重要因素,对扩压器进口逆叶轮旋转方向的轮盖侧啧蒸汽能够提高扩压器的稳定性．     

Numerical analysis of rotating stall characteristics in vaneless diffuser with large width-radius ratio

A two-dimensional model, where the influence of wall boundary layers is neglected and inlet jet-wake velocity patterns are prescribed, was applied to simulate one vaneless diffuser with a large width-radius ratio. The impact of diffuser length, impeller blade number, etc. on the rotating stall was analyzed. Computational results show that a different mechanism does exist for diffusers with large width-radius ratios. Comparison with related conclusions and references is supportive of the model.     

Rotating instability in the vaneless diffuser of a radial flow pump

The paper refers to the behavior of a vaneless diffuser of a radial flow pump in partial flow operating conditions. Some experimental data have been obtained using 2D/2C PIV and unsteady pressure measurements within the diffuser, in various operating conditions. The experimental results at the lower flow rate are compared with two-dimensional numerical calculations.     

超低比转速离心风机无叶扩压器改进设计研究

为了提高超低比转速离心通风机的气动性能,通过理论分析提出了降低超低比转速离心风机内部损失的扩压器设计方法,采用数值模拟的方法得到不同直径旋转扩压器和静止扩压器的性能特点,从风机静压、效率、扩压器静压恢复系数和滞止压力损失系数等方面对其分析比较。研究得到：在设计流量下,旋转扩压器直径增大8.7%后,风机静压提升6.8%,效率提高3%,扩压器静压恢复系数提高62.9%,扩压器内滞止压力损失减少71.9%,表明在尺寸允许范围内适当增大扩压器直径可获得更高的静压升,同时降低损失、提高效率;另外,静止扩压器壁面与通流之间的剪切力更大,损失更多,设计流量下静止扩压器比等直径旋转扩压器滞止压力损失增加75.2%,表明旋转扩压器比静止扩压器有更好的性能。