Influence of the volute cross-sectional shape on mixed inflow turbine performances

Abstract

The volute is an essential element in the centrifugal machines. Improving its performance is an effective way to improve the total performance of the turbine. The purpose of this study is to replace the accelerating and guiding nozzle vanes by exploring different design possibilities on the cross-sectional area convergence of the volute, since a decreasing area is then associated with expansion in the subsonic regime. The work is extended to a mixed inflow turbine using the new volute cross sections under pulsating regimes for turbocharging. The numerical simulation results show larger accelerations [Formula: see text] and lesser losses in the case of sections with flatter area in the radial direction and without vaneless space between the volute and the rotor; but this combination has an effect on the exit absolute flow angle which is less uniform.