Session: 35-02/10-06 Joint Session Fan & Turbomachinery noise and operations

Submission Number: 176373

Investigation and Suppression of Pre-Surge Noise in Centrifugal Compressor Using Grooved Casing Treatment 

Centrifugal compressors used in automotive turbochargers are required to operate across a wide range of operating conditions. Consequently, the sources of noise generated during operation are diverse, and effective noise reduction requires accurate identification of the noise source and the implementation of appropriate countermeasures. Typically, identifying the source of noise necessitates expensive experimental setups, such as numerous microphones or anechoic chambers, as well as large-scale numerical analyses. In this study, the noise source generated in a centrifugal compressor was successfully identified and addressed using a conventional performance test facility. The results of this investigation and the effectiveness of the applied countermeasures are presented. Acoustic and unsteady pressure measurements were conducted within the compressor flow path using the available test equipment. Measurement results indicated that the pre-surge phenomenon, caused by flow instability at low mass flow rates, was responsible for the noise observed in the tested centrifugal compressor. To suppress the pre-surge noise, a grooved casing treatment was introduced near the leading edge of the splitter blades. Experimental findings confirmed that the grooved casing treatment was effective in suppressing pre-surge noise and in improving compressor performance at low mass flow rates. By varying the groove dimensions, an optimal groove configuration was identified that achieved a favorable balance between noise reduction and performance retention. Further computational investigations provided insights into the mechanisms by which the grooved casing treatment suppresses the pre-surge phenomenon. Stabilization of the flow near the splitter blade leading edge and disruption of large-scale flow instabilities were identified as key factors contributing to noise suppression.

Presenting Author: Teppei Kuwata IHI Co. Ltd

Presenting Author Biography: Teppei Kuwata received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Toyota Technological Institute.
His research focuses on the measurement and analysis of aerodynamics and noise in turbomachinery.

Authors:

Teppei Kuwata IHI Co. Ltd
Wataru Sato IHI Co. Ltd
Yutaka Ohta Waseda University
Nobumichi Fujisawa Waseda University