Improved Model for the Design and Analysis of Centrifugal Compressor Volutes

Abstract

This paper describes a new model for the analysis of the flow in volutes of centrifugal compressors. It explicitly takes into account the vortical structure of the flow that has been observed during detailed three-dimensional flow measurements. It makes use of an impeller and diffuser response model to predict the nonuniformity of the volute inlet flow due, to the circumferential variation of the pressure at the volute inlet, and is therefore applicable also at off-design operation of the volute. Predicted total pressure loss and static pressure rise coefficients at design and off-design operation have been compared with experimental data for different volute geometries but only one test case is presented here. Good agreement in terms of losses and pressure rise is observed at most operating points and confirms the validity of the impeller and diffuser response model.