Numerical Investigation of Vaneless Diffuser by Pinching and Rotation

Abstract

Abstract Non-conventional diffuser designs are introduced to minimize the energy losses associated with diffusion and to enhance stable operating range of the diffusion system. This is achieved by reducing width of the diffuser by modifying a hub or shroud curves by keeping the diffuser diameter ratio constant which is often known as pinch. The comparison of modified compressor with base model is accomplished by using performance characteristics such as static pressure recovery coefficient, stagnation pressure loss coefficient, energy coefficient and isentropic efficiency. Simulations are performed at various hub pinch (5%–20%), shroud pinch (5%–20%) and combined hub and shroud pinch (5%–20%). Among all the cases shroud pinch of 10% shows best results in terms of stagnation pressure loss coefficient, static pressure recovery coefficient and energy coefficient. Further, simulations are carried out with forced rotating vaneless diffuser. It gives better results in terms of pressure rise with lower stagnation pressure losses. But there is a moderate decrement in isentropic efficiency of compressor when compared to the base model.