A CFD Assessment of Entrance Area Distributions in a Centrifugal Compressor Vaneless Diffuser

The paper presents the results of a CFD study that assessed the various area distributions typically found in impeller / diffuser transitions in industrial centrifugal compressor stages. Results for two transition area schedules are compared. The findings agree with recently published data and suggest that problems exist in some standard configurations that could lead to rotating stall in the downstream vaneless diffuser.Copyright © 1994 by ASME