Effect of Blade Leading Edge Sweep on the Performance of a High Pressure Centrifugal Compressor Impeller

The effects of blade leading edge sweep on both the aerodynamic performance and the structure stress of a high pressure centrifugal compressor impeller are numerically investigated. Changes in the flow structure occur as a result of the effect of leading edge sweep on the loading distribution in the tip region. The flow separation is avoided by introducing a sweep of the main blade leading edge and the strength of shock is reduced at the same time. Backswept of the leading edge is found to be beneficial to the impeller performance improving. On the other hand, the structural analysis indicated that high rotating speed of the impeller will cause substantial high bending stresses and radial deflections of the blade. Studies have shown that it is possible to control the stress distribution along the tip and root of the blade by slight adjustments to the sweep angle of the leading edge. These adjustments may be used to design the impeller with lower blade root stress distribution without aerodynamics performance penalty.