As a variable-condition adjustment technology, the adjustable vaned diffusers (AVDs) can expand the working flow range of the compressor in the compressed air energy storage (CAES) system and improve its aerodynamic performance. In order to investigate the regulatory mechanism of AVDs and capture the details of vane loading distribution for the diffuser design optimization, additively manufactured AVDs for testing in a centrifugal compressor closed test facility are designed and implemented. Firstly, the regulation law of AVDs was summarized by numerical analysis and experimental support, and the corresponding vane loading data was extracted for the distribution law. Then, based on the distribution characteristics, 3D diffuser models were designed suitably for the adjustable components. Then, the laser selective melting (SLM) technology and die steel material 1.2709 were selected for metal printing according to the actual operating environment. Finally, performance testing and accuracy detection were performed on the finished test pieces, almost all inlet hole’s deviations were within the 0.3 mm tolerance. The research results indicated that additive manufacturing can significantly improve the accessibility of the internal flow channels of the diffuser, and derive the load of the blade on the pressure surface and suction surface in detail, also provide adjustable functions for variable operating conditions. It can not only break through the traditional processing bottleneck of the complicated internal flow channels of AVDs but also improve the design matching degree with adjustable components; simultaneously, it ensures high performance with high precision and effectively shortens the long lead time.
LIN Zhihua
,
ZUO Zhitao
,
LIANG Qi
,
HOU Hucan
,
GUO Wenbin
,
CHEN Haisheng
. Applications of Additively Manufactured Adjustable Vaned Diffusers in Centrifugal Compressor[J]. Journal of Thermal Science, 2022
, 31(2)
: 273
-284
.
DOI: 10.1007/s11630-022-1527-7
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