• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.2 no.3 s.4
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• pp.17-23
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• 1999

In the present numerical analysis, investigation of the effect of blade loadings from design shape on the slip factor variation was studied. Both the Eckardt radial bladed impeller and the backswept impeller were analyzed. In addition, a new design of the blade profile was arbitrarily attempted to generate a center-loading pattern in the original backswept impeller. Three dimensional compressible Navier-Stokes flow analysis with the Baldwin-Lomax turbulence model was applied to get the numerical slip factor at each impeller exit plane using the mass-averaging technique. The numerical slip (actors are in good agreement with the experimental ones and the Wiesner's slip factors deviate further from the numerical and experimental ones in both backswept impellers. Deviation angles and meridional channel loadings are found in no relation with the trend of change of the slip factor. Blade-to-blade loadings in midspan location are, however, found to have a direct relationship, especially at the sections where maximum loadings we to be expected. That information can be utilized in establishing an improved expression for slip factors in the future.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.45-50
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• 2012

The flow characteristics in a vaneless diffuser with a backswept radial impeller have been experimentally investigated according to the variation of discharge flow rate. Particle image velocimetry(PIV) system was applied to measure velocity fields with several operating conditions and on some diffuser horizontal planes. Pressure transducers were installed on hub wall of the diffuser in order to analyze the pressure fluctuations and their corresponding velocity fields. The results show that the location of the main flow center moves from the hub to the shroud side as the flow rate decreases, and the reverse flow is locally generated on the hub side.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2000.11b
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• pp.410-415
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• 2000

Slip factor is defined as an empirical factor being multiplied to theoretical energy transfer for the estimation of real work input of a centrifugal compressor. Researchers have tried to develop a simple empirical model, for a century, to predict a slip factor. However most these models were developed on the condition of design point assuming inviscid flow. So these models often fail to predict a correct slip factor at off-design condition. In this study, we summarized various slip factor models and compared these models with experimental and numerical data at off-design condition. As a result of this study, Wiesner's and Paeng and Chung's models are applicable for radial impeller, but all the models are not suitable for backswept impeller. Finally, the essential avenues for future study is discussed.

• International Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.132-139
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• 2003

The effects of casing shapes on the performance and the interaction between an impeller and a casing in a small-sized centrifugal compressor are investigated. Especially, numerical analyses are conducted for the centrifugal compressor with both a circular casing and a volute one. The optimum design for each element (i.e., impeller, diffuser and casing) is important to develop an efficient and compact compressor using alternative refrigerant as working fluids. Typical rotating speed of the compressor is in the range of 40,000∼45,000 rpm. The impeller has backswept blades due to tip clearance and a vane diffuser has wedge type. In order to predict the flow pattern inside an entire impeller, vaneless diffuser and casing, calculations with multiple frames of reference method between the rotating and stationery parts of the domain are carried out. For computations of compressible turbulent flow fields, the continuity and time-averaged Navier-Stokes equations are employed. To evaluate the performance of two types of casings, the static pressure recovery and loss coefficients are obtained for various flow rates. Also, static pressure distributions around casings are studied for different casing shapes, which are very important to predict the distribution of radial load. The static pressure around the casing and pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the compressor are measured for the circular casing.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1459-1466
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• 2001

A slip factor is defined as an empirical factor, which should be multiplied to theoretical energy transfer to estimate real work input of a centrifugal compressor. During the last century, researchers have tried to develop simple empirical models to predict the slip factor. However most of these models have been developed based only on design point data. Furthermore flow is assumed inviscid. As a result, these models often fail to predict the correct slip factor at off-design condition. In this study, various models for the slip factor were analysed and compared with experimental and numerical data at off-design conditions. As a result of this study, Wiesner's and Paeng and Chung's models are shown to be applicable for radial impeller, but all the models are found to be inappropriate for backswept impellers.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2008.03a
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• pp.823-827
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• 2008

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.