HRSG Inlet Duct Diffuser With Curved Walls to Reduce Pressure Loss

The diffuser portion employs curved wall portions with incremental angling instead of straight or sharp transitions. The curved geometry guides the exhaust flow smoothly through the expansion section, preventing flow separation and vortex formation while reducing pressure losses.

The diffuser system changes the geometric parameters of the inlet duct by incorporating wall portions with incremental angles (e.g., 5-15 degrees relative to the axial direction). This gradual parameter change allows the flow to adapt to the expanding cross-section without detachment, optimizing the balance between structural simplicity and flow efficiency.

The curved wall portions in the diffuser system create a smooth transition that maintains attached flow, preventing the formation of vortices that would increase backpressure. The curvature radius and incremental angling are designed to keep the adverse pressure gradient within acceptable limits.

The diffuser portion is segmented into multiple wall portions with different incremental angles. This segmentation allows the design to optimize the pressure gradient distribution along the diffuser length, gradually expanding the flow area while controlling backpressure increases.

The curved geometry of the diffuser wall portions stabilizes the exhaust flow by maintaining smooth gradients. The incremental angling ensures that the flow remains attached to the interior surface throughout the diffuser section, preventing vortex formation and flow instability.

By carefully controlling the incremental angle parameters of the wall portions, the system optimizes flow stability. The gradual parameter change prevents sudden expansions that would cause flow detachment, while still achieving the necessary area increase for diffuser function.