Comparison of Measurement Data at the Impeller Exit of a Centrifugal Compressor Measured With Both Pneumatic and Fast-Response Probes

Abstract

The main goal of these investigations was the refined measurement of unsteady high-speed flow in a centrifugal compressor using the advanced FRAP® fast-response aerodynamic probe system. The present contribution focuses on the impeller exit region and shows critical comparisons between fast-response (time-resolving) and conventional pneumatic probe measurement results. Three probes of identical external geometry (one fast and two pneumatic) were used to perform wall-to-wall traverses close to the impeller exit. The data shown refer to a single running condition near the best point of the stage. The mass flow obtained from different probe measurements and from the standard orifice measurement were compared. Stage work obtained from temperature rise measured with a FRAP® probe and from impeller outlet velocity vectors fields by using Euler’s turbine equation are presented. The comparison in terms of velocity magnitude and angle distribution is quite satisfactory, indicating the superior DC measurement capabilities of the fast-response probe system.