Analysis of Measurements in Vaned Diffusers of Centrifugal Compressors

Abstract

In vaned diffusers of centrifugal compressors many different flow phenomena interfere with one another, and different geometric parameters influence the flow field. Variations of these parameters allow the designer to optimize the diffuser for a certain application or to use a variable geometry for controlling the stage over a wide range. Two vaned diffusers that differ only in their passage widths are investigated using different types of measuring technique, in order to analyze the flow structure and to use it as a verification of a calculation method that allows detailed predictions of flow field parameters inside the diffuser, by taking into account geometric variations. Using this method predictions of the flow field of a variable geometry diffuser are made and are compared with the measured performance curves of the stage.