Aerodynamic design and experimental study of small flow rate centrifugal compressor

Abstract

Abstract The aerodynamic design of a single-stage of a small flow rate centrifugal compressor is completed by theoretical analysis and CFD simulation, and the simulation results can meet the target performance. In addition, an equal proportion prototype performance test bench was designed and built, and the prototype performance test using air as working medium was completed. The results show that the overall trend of the measured flow-pressure ratio curve fits well with the simulation curve. Due to the error of simulation calculation, the measured mass flow rate is a little small and there is a certain difference with the simulation data. Based on the results, the structure of impeller and volute was optimized, and the performance was retested. The retest results show that the flow range of the measured pressure ratio and efficiency curve can basically cover the simulated curve, and the difference between the measured value and the simulated value of pressure ratio and efficiency decreases significantly. Using air medium, when the mass flow is 0.01kg/s, the pressure ratio is 1.17 and the isentropic efficiency is 85%. The results confirm the feasibility of this design method, which can provide important reference for the design of small-flow centrifugal compressor.