Improving a Vaned Diffuser for a Given Centrifugal Impeller by 3D Inverse Design

Abstract

In this paper the application of 3D inverse design code TURBOdesign−1 to the design of the vane geometry of a centrifugal compressor vaned diffuser is presented. For this study the new diffuser is designed to match the flow leaving the conventional impeller, which is highly non-uniform. The inverse method designs the blade geometry for a given specification of thickness and blade loading distribution. The paper describes the choice of loading distribution used in the design as well as the influence of the diffuser inlet flow distribution on the vane geometry and flow field. The flow field in the new diffuser is analysed by a 3D viscous flow code and the result is compared to that of the conventional diffuser. Finally the results of testing the stage performance of the new diffuser is compared with that of the conventional stage.