Optimization of Return Channels of High Flow Centrifugal Compressor Stages by CFD-Methods

Calculations performed with modern computer fluid dynamics (CFD) programs aid in optimizing the flow path of a centrifugal compressor. The characteristics of the stator elements of the flow path, calculated by CFD methods, are considered to be quite accurate. Optimization of three-stage reverse-directing devices with a large flow rate (0.15) and different theoretical head coefficients (0.45; 0.60; 0.70) has been carried out. For optimizing return channels a parameterized model was created. Optimization was performed with MOGA (Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm) optimization method in the Direct Optimization program of the ANSYS software package. The optimization goal was to achieve the minimum loss factor at the design point. In the optimization process, the following parameters were varied: the number of and the inlet angle of the vanes, the height of the vanes at the inlet, external and internal radii of curvature of the U-bend. For the return channel with a minimum loss coefficient, the dependences of this parameter on the flow coefficient were calculated. Comparison with the characteristics of the initial variant showed that the optimized return channels are more efficient over the entire flow range. Optimization allowed reducing the loss factor by 20%.

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