Calculations of Three-Dimensional, Viscous Flow and Wake Development in a Centrifugal Impeller

Abstract

A partially-parabolic calculation procedure is used to calculate flow in a centrifugal impeller. This general-geometry, cascade-flow method is an extension of a duct-flow calculation procedure. The three-dimensional pressure field within the impeller is obtained by first performing a three-dimensional inviscid flow calculation and then adding a viscosity model and a viscous-wall boundary condition to allow calculation of the three-dimensional viscous flow. Wake flow, resulting from boundary layer accumulation in an adverse reduced-pressure gradient, causes blockage of the impeller passage and results in significant modifications of the pressure field. Calculated wake development and pressure distributions are compared with measurements.