Use of partially shrouded impeller in a small centrifugal compressor

Numerical analysis is conducted for the 3-dimensional impeller and vaneless diffuser of a small centrifugal compressor. The influence of impeller tip clearance on the flow field of the impeller is investigated. Detailed investigation on the leaking flow across the tip clearance of the impeller shows that the leaking flow rate is higher near the exit of the impeller than that near the inlet of the impeller. Based on this phenomenon, a new partially shrouded impeller is designed. The impeller is shrouded near the exit of the impeller. Numerical results show that the secondary flow region becomes smaller at the exit of the impeller. Better performance is achieved than that with the unshrouded impeller.