Development of a Design Methodology for a Centrifugal Compressor with the Utilization of CFD

Abstract

Centrifugal compressors are widely used for several purposes in many industries. Aero defense industry uses these compressors in the engines of several structures. In the present study, the centrifugal compressor of a mini jet engine is designed with the utilization of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools with the methodology developed. The designed compressor is manufactured and its tests were conducted using an engine that is being utilized commercially. The performance parameters of the designed compressor and the results obtained from the engine were compared and presented. The specifications of the designed compressor was determined in the light of the requirements of the test engine. It was observed that the obtained mass flow rate (0.678 kg/s), pressure ratio (4.6135) and the efficiency (92.38%) values are within the limits of the design specifications and the although there is a slight difference between the results of the CFD analyses and the experiments, the trends of the curves are consistent with each other.Centrifugal compressors are widely used for several purposes in many industries. Aero defense industry uses these compressors in the engines of several structures. In the present study, the centrifugal compressor of a mini jet engine is designed with the utilization of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools with the methodology developed. The designed compressor is manufactured and its tests were conducted using an engine that is being utilized commercially. The performance parameters of the designed compressor and the results obtained from the engine were compared and presented. The specifications of the designed compressor was determined in the light of the requirements of the test engine. It was observed that the obtained mass flow rate (0.678 kg/s), pressure ratio (4.6135) and the efficiency (92.38%) values are within the limits of the design specifications and the although there is a slight difference between the results of the CFD analyses and the experiments, the trends of the curves are consistent with each other.