A Flow Model for Centrifugal Compressor Rotors

Abstract

A study of the presently available information on flow phenomena in curved ducts and in the flow passage of rotating channels shows that the flow distribution postulated by potential flow arguments occurs only in the initial portion of the channel. The production of turbulent kinetic energy on the concave side and pressure side of the channel in conjunction with stratification tendencies causes the flow distribution to become more uniform in the midsection of the channel and may initiate the generation of a comparatively large wake at the channel exit. These phenomena can be expressed by the Richardson number and a loading parameter which then become significant similarity parameters for the flow development in a rotating channel. The presently available information is insufficient to formulate precise relations for the influence of the Richardson number over the range encountered in typical centrifugal rotors. Thus only tentative values can be offered. More theoretical and experimental studies will be required to derive more exact interrelations.