Pipe Diffuser Pressure Equalization Centrifugal Compressor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe diffusers for centrifugal compressors suffer from uneven inlet pressures in diffuser passages due to their unique geometrical shape, leading to inefficiencies and reduced operable flow rates.
Innovation Solution
The pipe diffuser is designed with through holes communicating with tapered sections instead of throats, and an annular communication passage, which helps to equalize inlet pressures across diffuser passages, thereby stabilizing flow rates and extending the operable flow rate range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If through holes communicate with throats, then pressure equalization is achieved, but inlet pressure uniformity deteriorates due to pipe diffuser geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the tapered section as an intermediary component between the throat and the through hole. Instead of directly connecting the through hole to the throat (which causes pressure unevenness), the tapered section acts as a mediator that redistributes pressure uniformly across all diffuser passages. The tapered geometry gradually expands the flow area, allowing pressure to equalize before entering the through hole, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining pressure equalization functionality and achieving uniform inlet pressure distribution.
2Strength
If diffuser passages have unique pipe diffuser geometry, then structural integrity is maintained, but inlet pressure uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the diffuser passage into distinct functional sections: the throat section for flow control, the tapered section for pressure equalization, and the curved section for flow direction. By dividing the passage into these segments with specific geometric characteristics, each section performs its designated function optimally. The tapered section specifically addresses the pressure uniformity issue while the other sections maintain structural integrity and flow control, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining structural integrity and achieving pressure uniformity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If operating at low flow rates, then energy consumption is reduced, but efficiency deteriorates due to pressure unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates equipotential conditions for pressure distribution by designing the tapered section to equalize pressure across all diffuser passages before the flow enters the through holes. This pressure equalization ensures that at low flow rates, the flow distribution remains uniform across all passages, preventing flow maldistribution and maintaining compressor efficiency. Thus, the system can operate at low flow rates (reducing energy consumption) without sacrificing efficiency, as the tapered section maintains equipotential pressure distribution.
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
This configuration ensures more uniform inlet pressures, allowing the centrifugal compressor to operate efficiently in lower flow rate regions without significant reductions in efficiency, thus expanding the operable flow rate range.
Implementation Method 1
each through hole communicates with the corresponding tapered section, the inlet pressure of the diffuser passages is made more uniform
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe diffuser is configured to be positioned on an outer periphery of a compressor impeller of a centrifugal compressor, wherein the pipe diffuser defines a plurality of diffuser passages arranged along a circumferential direction, and each diffuser passage includes a throat extending at an angle to a radial direction and having a substantially circular cross section, a tapered section connected to a downstream end of the throat and having a progressively increasing cross sectional area toward a radially outer end thereof, and a curved section connected to a downstream end of the tapered section is curved into an axial direction, the pipe diffuser further defining through holes communicating with respective tapered sections at one ends thereof and an annular communication passage communicating with other ends of the through holes.