Session: 37-03 Radial Compressor Unsteady Flow

Paper Number: 128050

128050 - Development and Validation of an Isolated Unsteady Diffuser Computational Model for a Vaned Centrifugal Compressor 

An isolated unsteady diffuser computational model was developed for a vaned centrifugal compressor. The model sought to reduce the computational cost of unsteady CFD when compared to full stage unsteady models while retaining modeling accuracy. CFD results were validated with laser doppler velocimetry (LDV) test data gathered from the Centrifugal Stage for Aerodynamic Research test facility in the High-Speed Compressor Lab at Purdue University. Identical geometry was used for all CFD models and experimental data collection. The isolated unsteady diffuser model used the inlet boundary conditions from a full stage unsteady model. Validation of the isolated unsteady diffuser model showed it was successful in significantly reducing computational costs while retaining modeling accuracy. It consistently performed similarly to the full stage unsteady model, and both closely matched LDV test data. CFD results from the isolated unsteady diffuser model showed promising signs of its ability to solve preliminary concepts in parallel, with good accuracy, before evaluating best performing ones in a more costly full stage unsteady CFD model. Despite the unsteady isolated diffuser model’s success there remain challenges when implementing it with different geometries. Specifically, a reduction in the vaneless space caused difficulties when attempting to implement the method with a new geometry.

Presenting Author: Benjamin Holtmann Purdue University

Presenting Author Biography: The author is a Graduate Research Assistant at the High-Speed Compressor Lab at Purdue University. He is pursuing a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, having obtained a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University. He is currently researching stability enhancement techniques in aeroengine centrifugal compressors.

Authors:

Benjamin Holtmann Purdue University
Mark Shapochka Purdue University
Nicole Key Purdue University