Effects of the Inlet Position of Blade on the Performance of a Centrifugal Impeller

Abstract

The effects of the inlet position of blade on the performance of a centrifugal impeller are numerically investigated. The inlet position of the blade can be determined by the outer diameter, the leaning angle of the blade inlet, the shroud and hub angular momentums specified at the blade inlet. It is found that the flow fields of the optimal impeller are obviously superior to those of the impeller whose blade leading edge was installed at impeller eye. The range analyses reveal that angular momentum specified at the inlet hub is the least important factor in affecting the efficiency of impeller, while the outer diameter of blade leading edge plays the most important role in determining the pressure ratio.