Flow Studies in a Centrifugal Compressor Stage

The overall efficiency of the compressor is dependent on the design of both the impeller and diffuser. The vane diffuser reduces the operating range. However, by proper setting of the diffuser with reference to impeller, it is possible to achieve a good stage performance. This study is on the experimental investigation of the detailed flow behavior inside a centrifugal compressor stage for three different setting angles of the vane diffuser with reference to the fixed impeller blade outlet angle. It is seen that diffuser setting angles lower than the impeller outlet flow angle gives higher stage efficiency as well as flow range