Modular Diffuser Blocks for Centrifugal Compressor Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centrifugal compressors generate significant noise due to flow separation in the diffuser, which decreases work efficiency and increases manufacturing costs due to complex and costly integration of diffuser plate and vanes.
Innovation Solution
A diffuser formed by combining multiple diffuser blocks with a tube shape, guide plates, and protruding vane portions that form an airfoil or wedge shape, along with sound-absorbing holes on the external surface to reduce noise and simplify manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the diffuser plate and vanes are integrally formed, then the structural integrity is improved, but the manufacturing time increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser is divided into multiple diffuser blocks that can be manufactured separately and then assembled together. Each block contains guide plates and vane portions that are integrated into the block structure, allowing modular manufacturing while maintaining overall structural integrity through assembly.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the diffuser plate and vanes are integrally formed, then the structural integrity is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser is divided into multiple diffuser blocks that can be manufactured separately and then assembled together. Each block contains guide plates and vane portions that are integrated into the block structure, allowing modular manufacturing while maintaining overall structural integrity through assembly.
3Productivity
If the cross-sectional area ratio of outlet to inlet is increased, then the efficiency of changing dynamic pressure to static pressure is improved, but the noise generated during fluid flow increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser is segmented into multiple blocks with individual guide plates and vane portions. This segmentation allows for optimized geometry in each block while distributing the flow management function, potentially reducing flow separation and noise while maintaining the required pressure conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide plates and vane portions are strategically positioned at specific locations within each diffuser block to optimize local flow characteristics. This localized optimization helps control flow separation and reduce noise generation while maintaining overall compression efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The diffuser design reduces noise generation and enhances manufacturing efficiency by allowing easy assembly and repair of diffuser blocks, while maintaining effective fluid compression properties.
Implementation Method 1
The diffuser provides an outlet having a relatively wide cross-sectional area compared to an inlet of the diffuser. The diffuser may change the dynamic pressure of the fluid to the static pressure according to a ratio of the cross-sectional area of the outlet of the diffuser to that of the inlet of the diffuser.
Implementation Method 2
sound-absorbing holes on the external surface to reduce noise
Implementation Method 3
a centrifugal compressor is a machine that applies centrifugal force to a fluid by a rotatable impeller that performs compression by using the centrifugal force
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a diffuser block used to form a diffuser with a plurality of the diffuser blocks, the diffuser block including: a body having a tube shape including an inner space provided inside the body, an inlet through which a fluid flows into the inner space and an outlet through which the fluid flows out of the inner space; and a first vane portion which protrudes toward the inner space from one side of the body.