Performance Improvement of a Centrifugal Compressor Using Partial Vaned Diffusers

Abstract

The type of diffuser used has a strong influence on the performance of a centrifugal compressor. However, the knowledge about the influence of partial vaned diffusers is limited. In the present study two types of partial vaned diffusers, one with partial vanes fixed to the hub wall (hub vaned diffuser), and the other with the partial vanes fixed to the shroud wall (shroud vaned diffuser) are explored and their influence on the compressor stage performance is analyzed numerically. Besides the vane height is varied and the performances investigated over the entire operating range. The results show that, the performance of the shroud vaned diffuser is better than both the vaneless diffuser and the hub vaned diffuser.