Development of a Centrifugal Compressor With a Variable Geometry Split-Ring Pipe Diffuser

1999 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Salvage
Keyword(s):  
Leading Edge ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Operating Point ◽  
Maximum Efficiency ◽  
Variable Geometry ◽  
Impeller Blade ◽  
Guide Vanes ◽  
Part Load ◽  
Inlet Guide Vanes ◽  
Surge Line

Higher noise levels resulted when a compressor was scaled to larger capacity. The machine’s sound pressure level was relieved by increasing the distance between the impeller blade tip and diffuser leading edge. However, the part-load surge line deteriorated severely as a consequence. A variable geometry pipe diffuser solved this problem, permitting operation at stringent off-design conditions. The addition of a variable diffuser permits compressor selection very near its most efficient full-load operating point, without regard for limitations normally imposed by part-load requirements. The principal lessons learned during aerodynamic design refinement include (a) how performance and surge depend upon positioning the variable inlet guide vanes and variable diffuser, and (b) how to define simultaneous variation of inlet guide vanes and diffuser for specific operational objectives. Generally, each operating point requires a unique setting of the variable components to achieve maximum efficiency. However, linked movement is shown to yield both a satisfactory surge line and improved performance for most applications when compared to a compressor without the variable geometry pipe diffuser.

scholarly journals Development of a Centrifugal Compressor With a Variable Geometry Split-Ring Pipe Diffuser

1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Salvage
Keyword(s):  
Leading Edge ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Operating Point ◽  
Maximum Efficiency ◽  
Variable Geometry ◽  
Impeller Blade ◽  
Guide Vanes ◽  
Part Load ◽  
Inlet Guide Vanes ◽  
Surge Line

Higher noise levels resulted when a compressor was scaled to larger capacity. The machine’s sound pressure level was relieved by increasing the distance between the impeller blade tip and diffuser leading edge. However, the part-load surge line deteriorated severely as a consequence. A variable geometry pipe diffuser solved this problem, permitting operation at stringent off-design conditions. The addition of a variable diffuser permits compressor selection very near its most efficient full-load operating point, without regard for limitations normally imposed by part-load requirements. The principal lessons learned during aerodynamic design refinement include (a) how performance and surge depend upon positioning the variable inlet guide vanes and variable diffuser, and (b) how to define simultaneous variation of inlet guide vanes and diffuser for specific operational objectives. Generally, each operating point requires a unique setting of the variable components to achieve maximum efficiency. However, linked movement is shown to yield both a satisfactory surge line and improved performance for most applications when compared to a compressor without the variable geometry pipe diffuser.

Redesign of a Compressor Stage for a High-Performance Electric Supercharger in a Heavily Downsized Engine

2017 ◽  
Vol 140 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Wang ◽  
Mehrdad Zangeneh ◽  
Bryn Richards ◽  
Kevin Gray ◽  
James Tran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Design Method ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Compressor Stage ◽  
Impeller Blade ◽  
Guide Vanes ◽  
Inlet Guide Vanes ◽  
Surge Margin ◽  
Stable Operating ◽  
Inverse Design Method ◽  
Ported Shroud

Engine downsizing is a modern solution for the reduction of CO2 emissions from internal combustion engines. This technology has been gaining increasing attention from industry. In order to enable a downsized engine to operate properly at low speed conditions, it is essential to have a compressor stage with very good surge margin. The ported shroud, also known as the casing treatment, is a conventional way used in turbochargers to widen the working range. However, the ported shroud works effectively only at pressure ratios higher than 3:1. At lower pressure ratio, its advantages for surge margin enhancements are very limited. The variable inlet guide vanes are also a solution to this problem. By adjusting the setting angles of variable inlet guide vanes, it is possible to shift the compressor map toward the smaller flow rates. However, this would also undermine the stage efficiency, require extra space for installing the inlet guide vanes, and add costs. The best solution is therefore to improve the design of impeller blade itself to attain high aerodynamic performances and wide operating ranges. This paper reports a recent study of using inverse design method for the redesign of a centrifugal compressor stage used in an electric supercharger, including the impeller blade and volute. The main requirements were to substantially increase the stable operating range of the compressor in order to meet the demands of the downsized engine. The three-dimensional (3D) inverse design method was used to optimize the impeller geometry and achieve higher efficiency and stable operating range. The predicted performance map shows great advantages when compared with the existing design. To validate the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results, this new compressor stage has also been prototyped and tested. It will be shown that the CFD predictions have very good agreement with experiments and the redesigned compressor stage has improved the pressure ratio, aerodynamic efficiency, choke, and surge margins considerably.

Ice Crystal Icing Investigation on a Honeywell Uncertified Research Engine in an Altitude Simulation Icing Facility

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashlie B. Flegel
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Guide Vane ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Inlet Guide Vane ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Ice Crystal ◽  
Guide Vanes ◽  
Inlet Guide Vanes ◽  
The Core ◽  
Break Up

Abstract A Honeywell Uncertified Research Engine was exposed to various ice crystal conditions in the NASA Glenn Propulsion Systems Laboratory. Simulations using NASA’s 1D Icing Risk Analysis tool were used to determine potential inlet conditions that could lead to ice crystal accretion along the inlet of the core flowpath and into the high pressure compressor. These conditions were simulated in the facility to develop baseline conditions. Parameters were then varied to move or change accretion characteristics. Data were acquired at altitudes varying from 5 kft to 45 kft, at nominal ice particle Median Volumetric Diameters from 20 μm to 100 μm, and total water contents of 1 g/m3 to 12 g/m3. Engine and flight parameters such as fan speed, Mach number, and inlet temperature were also varied. The engine was instrumented with total temperature and pressure probes. Static pressure taps were installed at the leading edge of the fan stator, front frame hub, the shroud of the inlet guide vane, and first two rotors. Metal temperatures were acquired for the inlet guide vane and vane stators 1–2. In-situ measurements of the particle size distribution were acquired three meters upstream of the engine forward fan flange and one meter downstream of the fan in the bypass in order to study particle break-up behavior. Cameras were installed in the engine to capture ice accretions at the leading edge of the fan stator, splitter lip, and inlet guide vane. Additional measurements acquired but not discussed in this paper include: high speed pressure transducers installed at the trailing edge of the first stage rotor and light extinction probes used to acquire particle concentrations at the fan exit stator plane and at the inlet to the core and bypass. The goal of this study was to understand the key parameters of accretion, acquire particle break-up data aft of the fan, and generate a unique icing dataset for model and tool development. The work described in this paper focuses on the effect of particle break-up. It was found that there was significant particle break-up downstream of the fan in the bypass, especially with larger initial particle sizes. The metal temperatures on the inlet guide vanes and stators show a temperature increase with increasing particle size. Accretion behavior observed was very similar at the fan stator and splitter lip across all test cases. However at the inlet guide vanes, the accretion decreased with increasing particle size.

Investigation of the Influence of Hub Gap Size to the Performance of a Subsonic Compressor Stator

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ke Shi ◽  
Haixin Chen ◽  
Song Fu ◽  
Ruben van Rennings ◽  
Frank Thiele
Keyword(s):  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Surface Flow ◽  
Channel Height ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Gap Size ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Back Flow ◽  
Guide Vanes ◽  
Inlet Guide Vanes

This paper presents a RANS study of the hub clearance effects on the performance of a subsonic compressor stator. The inlet boundary conditions are from the calculation of inlet guide vanes. The k-ω SST turbulence model is adapted to resolve the Reynolds stresses. The present numerical results are compared with the experiment carried out at Technical University Berlin. The circumferentially averaged total pressure has a strong decrease in the lower span region from hub to nearly 50% channel height, while the tangential flow angle reduces from approximately 40% channel height to the hub, linearly. The above phenomenon indicates that the leakage flow in the gap between stator blade and the hub does not turn sufficiently. This leads to a smaller incidence angle of the flow to the stator, thus, the lower span of the stator works in smaller attack angle, 0 to 13 degrees lower than the higher span. Surface flow patterns on the hub and both side of the blade surfaces are compared with the oil flow visualization in the experiment. The compressor stator is shown to operate under large separation and strong back flow conditions. The hub leakage flow is studied together with the endwall flow phenomenon for full gap configuration. Two separation lines are observed on the hub. One is lying in front of the blade leading edge plane indicating the separation due to the leading edge leakage flow which spills out of the passage before the flow enters the passage. The other is caused by the interaction between the strong hub leakage flow and the incoming flow. This separation line undergoes an abrupt turning just after the flow leaving the stator passage. The effect of the hub gap size on the leakage flow and the whole flow passage in the stator, including the strength and location of the vortex structure, the location and size of the separation bubble, as well as the back flow behavior, is analyzed. With the help of a novel vortex identification method, the flow field of this subsonic compressor stator and the inlet guide vanes can be visualized illustrating the behavior at the operation point when rotating instability occurs. The parameter η4 can help identifying the stretching and relaxation of the vortex. This approach reveals significant flow details [1]. Combined with DPH (Dynamic Pressure Head) contour and streamlines, the detailed vortices structures and topology in a subsonic compressor can also be further elucidated. The study illustrates different vortices structures in the compressor, as well as their behavior in different gap size configurations.

Centrifugal Compressor Inlet Guide Vanes for Increased Surge Margin

1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (4) ◽  
pp. 696-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Rodgers
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
High Speed ◽  
System Stability ◽  
Negative Slope ◽  
Vaned Diffuser ◽  
Guide Vanes ◽  
Inlet Guide Vanes ◽  
Surge Margin ◽  
Compressor Inlet ◽  
Surge Line

This paper describes the results of compressor rig testing with a moderately high specific speed, high inducer Mack number, single-stage centrifugal compressor, with a vaned diffuser, and adjustable inlet guide vanes (IGVs). The results showed that the high-speed surge margin was considerably extended by the regulation of the IGVs, even though the vaned diffuser was apparently operating stalled. Simplified one-dimensional analysis of the impeller and diffuser performances indicated that at inducer tip Mach numbers approaching and exceeding unity, the high-speed surge line was triggered by inducer stall. Also, IGV regulation increased impeller stability. This permitted the diffuser to operate stalled, providing the net compression system stability remained on a negative slope.

scholarly journals Effects of Inlet Guide Vanes on the Performance and Stability of an Aeronautical Centrifugal Compressor

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Poujol ◽  
Isabelle Trébinjac ◽  
Pierre Duquesne
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Compressor Stage ◽  
Lower Mass ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Guide Vanes ◽  
Inlet Guide Vanes ◽  
Surge Line ◽  
Stagger Angle

Abstract A research centrifugal compressor stage designed and built by Safran Helicopter Engines is tested at 3 IGV (Inlet Guide Vanes) stagger angles. The compressor stage includes 4 blade rows: axial inlet guide vanes, a backswept splittered impeller, a splittered vaned radial diffuser and axial outlet guide vanes. The methodology for calculating the performance is detailed, including the consideration of humidity in order to minimize errors related in particular to operating atmospheric conditions. The shift of the surge line towards lower mass flow rate as the IGV stagger angle increases highly depends on the rotation speed. The surge line shift is very small at low rotation speeds whereas it significantly increases at high rotation speeds. A firstorder stability analysis of the impeller and diffuser subcomponents shows that the diffuser (resp. impeller) is the first unstable component at low (resp. high) rotation speeds. This situation is unaltered by increasing the IGV stagger angle. At low rotation speeds below a given mass flow rate, rotating instabilities at the impeller inlet are detected at zero IGV stagger angle. Their occurrence is conditioned by the relative flow angle at the tip of the leading edge of the impeller. As the IGV stagger angle increases, the mass flow decreases to maintain a given inlet flow angle. Therefore, the onset of the rotating instabilities is delayed towards lower mass flow rates. At high rotation speeds, the absolute flow angle at the diffuser inlet near surge decreases as the IGV stagger angle increases. As a result, the flow is highly alternate over two adjacent channels of the radial diffuser beyond the surge line at IGV stagger angle of 0°.

The Effect of Inlet Guide Vanes Wake Impingement on the Flow Structure and Turbulence Around a Rotor Blade

2005 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Soranna ◽  
Yi-Chih Chow ◽  
Oguz Uzol ◽  
Joseph Katz
Keyword(s):  
Flow Structure ◽  
Rotor Blade ◽  
Normal Component ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Guide Vanes ◽  
Inlet Guide Vanes ◽  
Entire Flow ◽  
Turbulence Production ◽  
Wall Blockage

The flow structure and turbulence around the leading and trailing edges of a rotor blade operating downstream of a row of inlet guide vanes (IGV) are investigated experimentally. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements are performed in a refractive index matched facility that provides unobstructed view of the entire flow field. Data obtained at several rotor blade phases focus on modification to the flow structure and turbulence in the IGV wake as it propagates along the blade. The phase-averaged velocity distributions demonstrate that wake impingement significantly modifies the wall-parallel velocity component and its gradients along the blade. Due to spatially non-uniform velocity distribution, especially on the suction side, the wake deforms while propagating along the blade, expanding near the leading edge and shrinking near the trailing edge. While being exposed to the nonuniform strain field within the rotor passage, the turbulence within the IGV wake becomes spatially nonuniform and highly anisotropic. Several mechanisms, which are consistent with rapid distortion theory (RDT) and distribution of turbulence production rate, contribute to the observed trends. For example, streamwise (in rotor frame reference) diffusion in the aft part of the rotor passage enhances the streamwise fluctuations. Compression also enhances the turbulence production very near the leading edge. However, along the suction side, rapid changes to the direction of compression and extension cause negative production. The so-called wall blockage effect reduces the wall-normal component.

Effects of number of inlet guide vanes on the aerodynamic performance of a centrifugal compressor

2021 ◽  
pp. 095765092110268
Author(s):  
M Anbarsooz ◽  
M Amiri ◽  
A Erfanian ◽  
E Benini
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Inclination Angle ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Numerical Results ◽  
Single Stage ◽  
Maximum Efficiency ◽  
Optimum Number ◽  
Performance Curve ◽  
Guide Vanes ◽  
Inlet Guide Vanes

Variable inlet guide vanes (VIGVs) are widely used for flow throttling and also extending the operating range of centrifugal compressors. Although there are several studies on the effects of adding IGVs on the performance curve of the compressors, none of them have focused on the number of vanes. In the current study, high-fidelity three-dimensional numerical simulations are carried out to analyze the effects of adding VIGVs with different number of vanes on the aerodynamic performance of a single-stage centrifugal compressor. The selected compressor prototype is a high flowrate single-stage compressor equipped with a vaned diffuser, designed and fabricated by Siemens. Computational fluid dynamic simulations are performed for three different number of guide vanes at three IGV inclination angles of 0, −30 and +45 degrees. The numerical results are validated by comparing the pressure-rise curves with the available experimental data of the compressor data sheet, where a good agreement was achieved. Results show that at the fully-open condition, the number of vanes does not have considerable effect on the performance curve of the compressor. However, as the IGV inclination angle increases, the number of inlet vanes plays a considerable role in the compressor efficiency. For example, at IGV inclination angle of +45 degree, increasing the number of vanes from 7 to 11 can increase the compressor maximum efficiency up to 5 points. Numerical results showed that increasing the number of inlet guide vanes imposes a higher pressure drop in the inlet passage of the compressor while generating a more uniform velocity distribution at the suction surface of the impeller. Due to the existence of several counteracting effects, an optimum number of inlet guide vanes can be found.

Investigation of Vaned Diffusers as a Variable Geometry Device for Application to Turbocharger Compressors

1992 ◽  
Vol 206 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
P M Jiang ◽  
A Whitfield
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Variable Geometry ◽  
Vaneless Diffuser ◽  
Double Row ◽  
Guide Vanes ◽  
Operating Range ◽  
Consequent Reduction ◽  
Inlet Angle ◽  
Vane Angle

The potential of guide vanes as a variable geometry device, placed in the conventional vaneless diffuser, to extend the operating range of a turbocharger compressor is investigated. Vaned diffusers are not normally employed in turbocharger applications as the consequent reduction in operating range is more damaging than the beneficial improvement in peak efficiency and pressure ratio. The variable geometry concept considered here is primarily one in which the guide vanes are introduced at the near surge flow conditions. The leading edge vane angle is set to accept the highly tangential flow at the near surge conditions, and the vane is then used to guide the fluid towards the radial direction in order to reduce the long flow path through the diffuser. Four types of vane arrangements are considered: (a) 12 and 6 full length vanes, with inlet vane angles of 75° and 80°; (b) 6 short inlet vanes to give a high aspect ratio; (c) 12 and 6 short vanes located in the outer half of the vaneless diffuser passage; and (d) double-row vane rings. It is shown that short vanes deployed at the diffuser outlet not only improve the efficiency and pressure ratio but also extend the high flow operating range. Further, the introduction of short inlet vanes with an inlet angle of 80° improves the peak pressure ratio and efficiency, and extends the near surge operating range.

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF INLET GUIDE VANES ON THE PERFORMANCE AND STABILITY OF AN AERONAUTICAL CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSOR

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Nicolas Poujol ◽  
Isabelle Trebinjac ◽  
Pierre Duquesne
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow Rate ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Lower Mass ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Guide Vanes ◽  
Inlet Guide Vanes ◽  
Surge Line ◽  
Stagger Angle

Abstract A research centrifugal compressor stage designed and built by Safran Helicopter Engines is tested at 3 IGV (Inlet Guide Vanes) stagger angles. The methodology for calculating the performance is detailed, including the consideration of humidity in order to minimize errors related in particular to operating atmospheric conditions. The shift of the surge line towards lower mass flow rate as the IGV stagger angle increases highly depends on the rotation speed. The surge line shift is very small at low rotation speeds whereas it significantly increases at high rotation speeds. A first-order stability analysis of the impeller and diffuser sub-components shows that the diffuser (resp. impeller) is the first unstable component at low (resp. high) rotation speeds. This situation is unaltered by increasing the IGV stagger angle. At low rotation speeds below a given mass flow rate, rotating instabilities at the impeller inlet are detected at zero IGV stagger angle. Their occurrence is conditioned by the relative flow angle at the tip of the leading edge of the impeller. As the IGV stagger angle increases, the mass flow decreases to maintain a given inlet flow angle. Therefore, the onset of the rotating instabilities is delayed towards lower mass flow rates. At high rotation speeds, the absolute flow angle at the diffuser inlet near surge decreases as the IGV stagger angle increases. As a result, the flow is highly alternate over two adjacent channels of the radial diffuser beyond the surge line at IGV stagger angle of 0°.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document