Unsteady behavior and control of diffuser leading-edge vortex in a centrifugal compressor

Yutaka Ohta*, Takashi Goto, Eisuke Outa

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The unsteady behavior of a vortex generated on the diffuser leading-edge, which is called the leading-edge vortex (LEV), is discussed through experiments and numerical simulation. The LEV is different from the separating vortex of the diffuser leading-edge and passage vortex of the diffuser, develops rapidly with a decrease in the compressor mass flow rate, and forms a flow blockage in diffuser passages. Therefore, the evolution of the LEV may become a cause of diffuser stall. Additionally, in one attempt to control the LEV, two types of tapered diffuser vanes, which are shroud- or hub-side tapered diffuser vanes, were adopted. Though the shroud-side tapered diffuser vane can effectively reduce the compressor noise level, the compressor performance deteriorates remarkably. On the other hand, the hub-side tapered diffuser vane not only reduces the compressor noise level but also improves the compressor performance. According to the visualization results of the oil-film methods and numerical simulations, the hub-side tapered diffuser vane can suppress the evolution of the LEV in the compressor low-flow-rate operation.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationASME Turbo Expo 2010
Subtitle of host publicationPower for Land, Sea, and Air, GT 2010
Pages1805-1813
Number of pages9
EditionPARTS A, B, AND C
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010 Dec 1
EventASME Turbo Expo 2010: Power for Land, Sea, and Air, GT 2010 - Glasgow, United Kingdom
Duration: 2010 Jun 142010 Jun 18

Publication series

NameProceedings of the ASME Turbo Expo
NumberPARTS A, B, AND C
Volume7

Conference

ConferenceASME Turbo Expo 2010: Power for Land, Sea, and Air, GT 2010
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityGlasgow
Period10/6/1410/6/18

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Engineering(all)

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