• International Journal of Fluid Machinery and Systems
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.86-91
• /
• 2008

The effects of the diffuser vane on the performances of the multistage centrifugal pump were investigated experimentally, taking account of the interactions among the diffuser vane, the return vane, and the next stage impeller. It is very important to match well the diffuser vane with the return vane, for improving the hydraulic efficiency of the pump. The efficiency may be more improved by making the cross-sectional area of the channel from the diffuser vane outlet to the return vane inlet larger, as much as possible.

• International Journal of Fluid Machinery and Systems
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.57-63
• /
• 2008

To optimize the stationary components in the multistage centrifugal pump, the effects of the return vane profile on the performances of the multistage centrifugal pump were investigated experimentally, taking account of the inlet flow conditions for the next stage impeller. The return vane, whose trailing edge is set at the outer wall position of the annular channel downstream of the vane and which discharges the swirl-less flow, gives better pump performances. By equipping such return vane with the swirl stop set from the trailing edge to the main shaft position, the unstable head characteristics can be also suppressed successfully at the lower discharge. Taking the pump performances and the flow conditions into account, the impeller blade was modified so as to get the shock-free condition where the incidence angle is zero at the inlet.

• International Journal of Fluid Machinery and Systems
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.11-19
• /
• 2010

The performance of the crossover system of a centrifugal compressor stage consisting of static components of $180^{\circ}$ U-bend, return channel vanes and exit ducting with a $90^{\circ}$ bend is investigated. This study is confined to the assessment of performance of the crossover system by varying the shape of the return channel vanes. For this purpose two different types of Return Channel Vanes (RCV1 and RCV2) were experimentally investigated. The performance of the crossover system is discussed in terms of total pressure loss coefficient, static pressure recovery coefficient and vane surface pressure distribution. The experimentation was carried out on a test setup in which static swirl vanes were used to simulate the flow at the exit of an actual centrifugal compressor impeller with a design flow coefficient of 0.053. The swirl vanes are connected to a mechanism with which the flow angle at the inlet of U-bend could be altered. The measurements were taken at five different operating conditions varying from 70% to 120% of design flow rate. On an overall assessment RCV1 is found to give better performance in comparison to RCV2 for different U-bend inlet flow angles. The performance of RCV2 was verified using numerical studies with the help of a CFD Code. Three dimensional sector models were used for simulating the flow through the crossover system. The turbulence was predicted with standard k-$\varepsilon$, 2-equation model. The iso-Mach contour plots on different planes and development of secondary flows were visualized through this study.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
• /
• v.20 no.8
• /
• pp.2707-2720
• /
• 1996

The aerodynamic design of the two-stages of centrifugal compressors in an 1.2MW industrial gas turbine is completed with the application of numerical analyses. The final shape of an intake, the axial guide vanes and a return channel is determined using several interactions between design and two-dimensional turbulent flow analysis, focused on the minimum loss of internal flows. The one-dimensional turbulent flow analysis, focused on the minimum loss of internal flows. The one-dimensional design and prediction of aerodynamic performances for the compressors are performed by two different methods; one is a method with conventional loss models, and the other a method with the two-zone model. The combination methods of the Betzier curves generate three-dimensional geometric shapes of impeller blades which are to be checked with a careful change of aerodynamic blade loadings. The impeller design is finally completed by the applications of three-dimensional compressible turbulent flow solvers, and the effect of minor change of design of the second-stage channel diffuser is also studied. All the aerodynamic design results are soon to the verified by component performance tests of prototype centrifugal compressors.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
• /
• 2000.11b
• /
• pp.447-452
• /
• 2000

In this study, the design of Free-Fall Simulator was carried out using concept of vertical wind tunnel. Free-Fall Simulator is not an experimental equipment but a training equipment. Therefore Free-Fall Simulator needs a large training section compared with test section of wind tunnel and has critical limit of height. These limits bring about the difficulty of design for a return passage. Due to small area ratio, the downstream flow of training section with high speed is not decelerated adequately to the fan section. High-speed flow leads to great losses in the small area ratio diffuser and corner. So design of diffusers and corners located between training section and fan section has a great effect on the Free-Fall Simulator performance. This study used an estimation method of subsonic wind tunnel performance. It considered each section of Free-Fall Simulator as an independent section. Therefore loss of one section didn't affect loss of other sections. Because losses of corner with vane and $1^{st}$ diffuser are most parts of overall Free-Fall Simulator, this study focused on the design of these sections.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.363-370
• /
• 2013

Small scale hydropower is one of most attractive and cost-effective energy technologies for installation within sewage treatment plants. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of a semi-kaplan micro-hydropower (MHP) system for application to sewage treatment plants with high flow fluctuations and a low head. The semi-kaplan MHP is equipped with an adjustable runner blade, and is without a guide vane, so as to reduce the incidence of mechanical problems. A MHP rating 13.4 kWp with a semi-kaplan turbine has been considered for Kiheung Respia sewage treatment plant, and this installation is estimated to generate 86.8 MWh of electricity annually, which is enough to supply electricity to over 25 households, and equivalent to an annual reduction of 49 ton $CO_2$. The semi-kaplan turbine showed a 90.2% energy conversion efficiency at the design flow rate of 0.35 $m^3/s$ and net head of 4.7 m, and was adaptable to a wide range of flow fluctuations. Through the MHP operation, approximately 2.1% of total electricity demand of Kiheung Respia sewage treatment plant will be achievable. Based on financial analysis, an exploiting MHP is considered economically acceptable with an internal rate of return of 6.1%, net present value of 15,539,000 Korean Won, benefit-cost ratio of 1.08, and payback year of 15.5, respectively, if initial investment cost is 200,000,000 Korean Won.