| Popis: |
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the prediction methods used to accurately determine the axial rotor thrust in centrifugal compressors. Thus, semi-empirical models were developed to estimate the aerodynamic forces acting on each side of the rotating impeller. In addition to this, a numerical approach based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technique was carried out to simulate the 3D steady flow in the centrifugal compressor. The numerical simulations consider the entire geometry details. The resulting axial thrust, estimated by the semi-empirical approach and the CFD calculations, were compared to experimental data. The application of these approaches was extended and discussed at different operating conditions. Furthermore, the effect of the expeller vanes (pump-out-vanes) on the axial thrust was highlighted. |
