Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Different Back Sweep Angle and Exducer Width on the Impeller Outlet Flow Pattern of a Centrifugal Compressor With Vaneless Diffuser

This paper presents a numerical investigation of the effect of different back sweep angles and exducer widths on the steady-state impeller outlet flow pattern of a centrifugal compressor with a vaneless diffuser. The investigations have been performed with commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and in-house programmed one-dimensional (1D) codes. CFD calculations aim to investigate how flow pattern from the impeller is quantitatively influenced by compressor geometry parameters; thereby, the location of wake and its magnitude (flow angle and relative velocity magnitude) are analyzed. Results show that the increased back sweep impeller provides a more uniform flow pattern in terms of velocity and flow deviation angle distribution, and offers better potential for the diffusion process inside a vaneless (or vaned) diffuser. Secondary flux fraction and flow deviation angle from CFD simulation are implemented into the 1D two-zone program to improve 1D prediction results.