INVESTIGATION OF THE FLOW IN CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSOR VOLUTE

Volute is used to collect and transport swirling gas produced by impeller or diffuser. Design of the volute not only impacts compressor efficiency but also influences the operating ranges of the compressor. In this study, Navier-Stokes equations combined with an algebra turbulence model were used to simulate flows inside a single stage compressor. Detailed flow simulations for a large cut back tongue volute are presented and discussed. A rounded tongue volute was tested in a single stage test rig. The compressor stage performance tests were conducted in the test lab and static pressure taps were used to measure static pressures at volute internal walls at locations of = 240 degrees and 360 degrees. Thermal couples and other static pressure probes were instrumented at inlet and outlet of the compressor for performance tests. The numerical results were compared with experiments and good agreements are found. Studies showed that a large cut back rounded tongue volute provided good operating range without dramatically dropping compressor peak efficiency.