Modification and Validation of 1D Loss Models for the Off-Design Performance Prediction of Centrifugal Compressors with Splitter Blades

Abstract

One-dimensional (1D) aerodynamic performance predictions are very often conducted by researchers and designers during the preliminary design of centrifugal compressors. This paper focuses on a 1D prediction method for centrifugal compressors with splitter blades, which is rarely seen in the open literature. One-dimensional prediction of aerodynamic overall performance is made for centrifugal compressors with different technical design specifications. However, the aerodynamic overall prediction accuracy relies on the accuracy of the 1D-loss-models used. Therefore, an optimum combination of loss models is proposed by summarizing a variety of loss models presented in the public literature. In addition, an optimization method is utilized to optimize some coefficients involved in loss models in order to improve the generality of the combined model. The modified models obtained in this study are proved to have good predictive accuracy.

Keywords

• centrifugal compressors
• splitter blades
• single-zone model
• performance prediction
• loss models