Compressor Volute Design System: Part I — Volute Design by Bezier Application

Abstract

This is Part I of a two-part paper describing a new compressor volute design system, which is applied to an interactive program that completely describes volute geometry and its interactions with CFD. Part I goes into the theory behind the program and the design of the volute geometry by application of Bezier polynomials while Part II fully describes the actual design system approach and its application to the program. Based on the developed mathematics of B-spline and Bezier polynomials, the present paper further develops the extent of Bezier polynomials by application of Bezier to volute design. Bezier polynomials will be used to describe and define volute geometry for centrifugal compressors with the objective of serving as an aid for volute design and performance analysis. The current research aims to develop an algorithm for volute design that will enable the volute geometry, to be fully described and viewed, in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) modes. A program based on this algorithm will deliver output data for grid generation and CFD flow simulation and eventual manufacture of the volute. These procedures will be developed for a family of centrifugal compressors.