Performance Characteristics of Two- and Three-Dimensional Impellers in Centrifugal Compressors

Abstract

The overall performance of two- and three-dimensional impellers of a centrifugal compressor were tested and compared. A closed-loop test stand with Freon gas as the working fluid was employed for the experiments. The inlet and outlet velocity distributions of all impellers were measured using three-hole cobra probes. As a result, it has been revealed that three-dimensional impeller in terms of efficiency, head coefficient, and operating range. Further, it has also been clarified that the impeller slip factor is affected by blade angle distribution.