Performance Analysis of the Impeller of a Centrifugal Air Compressor

Abstract

The present study focuses on the aerodynamic performance and structural analysis of the centrifugal compressor impeller. Performance characteristics of the impeller are analyzed with and without splitter blades by varying the total number of main and splitter blades. The operating conditions of the compressor under centrifugal force and pressure load from the aerodynamic analysis were applied to the impeller blade and hub to perform the one-way Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI). For the stress assessment, maximum equivalent von-Mises stresses in the impeller blades are compared with the maximum allowable stress of the impeller material. The effects of varying pressure field on the deformation and stress of the impeller is also calculated. The aerodynamic and structural performance of the centrifugal compressor at 73000 rpm are investigated in terms of the efficiency, pressure ratio, equivalent von-Mises stress, and total deformation of the impeller.