An experimental investigation of rotating stall flow in a centrifugal compressor

Abstract

The flow through a centrifugal compressor impeller and a vaneless d iff user was investigated using unsteady pressure transducers and stationary probes when the compressor operated in the rotating stall region of the compressor map. The inlet velocity profile of the impeller was measured with traversing probes and was found to be significantly different from the profiles measured in an unthrottled condition. A zone of reverse flow was detected close to the suction duct wall as well as a strong swirl induced by the impeller. Circumferentially and meridionally spaced transducers made it possible to determine the stall frequency and the number of stall cells. The amplitude of the flow distortion as a function of meridional position was calculated from meridionally spaced transducers.