Session: 24-01 Additive Manufacturing - Session 1

Paper Number: 125236

125236 - Development of an Additively Manufactured Stationary Diffusion System for a Research Aeroengine Centrifugal Compressor 

This study focuses on the implementation and testing of a new generation of the Centrifugal Stage for Aerodynamic Research (CSTAR) at the Purdue University Compressor Research Lab which features an additively manufactured stationary diffusion system. The research centrifugal compressor has been modified from previous iterations of CSTAR which featured a metal diffusion system. The implementation of the additively manufactured vaned diffuser, turn-to-axial bend, and deswirler have thus required modifications to the original hardware of the compressor stage to accommodate geometrical and mechanical constraints imposed by the use of additively manufactured parts. The dimensional accuracy and surface finish of the diffusion system has allowed for rapid prototyping of several iterative diffusion system designs and has allowed for configuration of in-situ pressure and temperature measurements to experimentally evaluate the aerodynamics and performance of centrifugal compressor diffusion systems. The diffusion system is manufactured from a commercially available stereolithography (SLA) resin, and the design of parts is adapted to the constraints imposed by SLA machines such as build size and feature resolution. The implementation of rapid prototyping in the iterative design of the diffusion system has allowed for decreased cost and lead time while simultaneously allowing rapid turnaround to generate experimental data. Performance data through three design iterations are presented which verify the repeatability and temperature independence of the additively manufactured diffusion system.

Presenting Author: Jack Clement Purdue University

Presenting Author Biography: The author is a graduate student at the Purdue University Compressor Research Lab where he is pursuing a Master of Science in mechanical engineering. He previously graduated from Louisiana State University with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering with minors in robotics engineering and aerospace engineering. His research focuses on the application of various computational approaches to model diffusion system aerodynamics in centrifugal compressors.

Authors:

Jack Clement Purdue University
Adam Coon Purdue University
Nicole Key Purdue University