Impeller-Diffuser Interaction in Centrifugal Compressors: Numerical Analysis of the "Radiver" Test Case

TitleImpeller-Diffuser Interaction in Centrifugal Compressors: Numerical Analysis of the "Radiver" Test Case
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2007
AuthorsBoncinelli P, Ermini M, Bartolacci S, Arnone A
JournalJournal of Propulsion and Power
Volume23
Number6
Pagination1304–1312
ISSN Number0748-4658
Other NumbersScopus 2-s2.0-36849057119
KeywordsCentrifugal Compressors
Abstract

In the present work, a numerical analysis of the Radiver test case was carried out using computational fluid dynamics techniques. Radiver is a centrifugal compressor stage for which a large amount of experimental data are available for ten diffuser configurations. Two diffuser geometries, differing in the radial gap between impeller exit and diffuser inlet, were compared to investigate the impact of impeller–diffuser interaction on the stage performance and the flowfield. Both steady and unsteady computations were carried out with the aim of separating unsteady effects from steady ones. As a result, flow unsteadiness turned out to have a positive impact on the sole lower radial gap configuration, especially in terms of the flow structure, in agreement with experimental indications. Moreover, physical mechanisms responsible for this behavior were identified and discussed.

DOI10.2514/1.27028