• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1332-1338
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• 2004

This paper presents the response surface optimization method using three-dimensional Navier-Stokes analysis to optimize the shape of a forward-curved blades centrifugal fan. For numerical analysis, Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with k-$\varepsilon$ turbulence model are discretized with finite volume approximations. In order to reduce huge computing time due to a large number of blades in forward-curved blades centrifugal fan, the flow inside of the fan is regarded as steady flow by introducing the impeller force models. Three geometric variables, i.e., location of cut off, radius of cut off, and width of impeller, and one operating variable, i.e., flow rate, were selected as design variables. As a main result of the optimization, the efficiency was successfully improved. And, optimum design flow rate was found by using flow rate as one of design variables. It was found that the optimization process provides reliable design of this kind of fans with reasonable computing time.

• International Journal of Fluid Machinery and Systems
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.311-317
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• 2015

It is difficulty to calculate velocity circulation in centrifugal pump impeller outlet accurately. Velocity circulations of a double-blade pump impeller outlet were calculated with Stodola formula, Weisner formula and Stechkin formula. Simultaneously, the internal flow of impeller for the double-blade pump were measured with PIV technology and average velocity circulations at the 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 times of design flow were obtained. All the experimental values were compared with the above calculation values at the three conditions. The results show that calculation values of velocity circulations with Weisner formula is close to the experimental values. On the basis of the above, velocity circulations of impeller outlet were corrected. The results of experimental verification show that the corrected calculation errors, whose maximum error is 3.65%, are greatly reduced than the uncorrected calculation errors. The research results could provide good references for establishment of theoretical head and multi-condition hydraulic optimization of double-blade pumps.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.224-230
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• 2011

For developing high performance fuel cell, peripheral devices and key components have to be studied in priority. In this study, centrifugal pump was studied for heat recovery. For PEM fuel cell system, a four-impeller centrifugal pump was designed, tested and compared with result of commercial product (IWAKI). In addition, effects of number of impeller were analyzed by CFD. The experiment and analysis were progressed in the same conditions. The results showed the quantitative difference under 30% between the numerical and the experimental pressure difference and mass flow rate.

• International Journal of Fluid Machinery and Systems
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2012

The objective of the present investigation is to explore the possibility of improving the performance of a centrifugal fan at low Reynolds numbers using a simple passive means, namely Gurney flap (GF). GFs of 1/$8^{th}$ inch brass angle (3.175 mm) corresponding to 15.9% of blade exit height or 5.1% of blade spacing at the impeller tip are attached to the impeller blade tip on the pressure surface. Performance tests are carried out on the centrifugal fan with vaneless diffuser at five Reynolds numbers (viz., 0.30, 0.41, 0.55, 0.69, $0.82{\times}10^5$, i.e., at five speeds respectively at 1,100, 1,500, 2,000, 2,500 and 3,000 rpm) without and with GF. Static pressures on the vaneless diffuser hub and shroud are also measured for each speed at four flow coefficients [${\phi}$=0.23 (below design flow coefficient), ${\phi}$=0.34 (design flow coefficient), ${\phi}$=0.45 (above design flow coefficient) and ${\phi}$=0.60 (above design flow coefficient)] with and without GF. From the performance curves it is found that the performance of the fan improves considerably with GFs at lower Reynolds numbers and improves marginally at higher Reynolds number. Similar improvements are observed for the static pressures on the diffuser hub and shroud. The effect of Reynolds number on the performance and static pressures is considerable. However the effect is reduced with GFs.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.435-441
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• 2015

In this study, a method for optimal design of impeller and diffuser blades in the centrifugal compressor using response surface method (RSM) and multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) was evaluated. A numerical simulation was conducted using ANSYS CFX with various values of impeller and diffuser parameters, which consist of leading edge (LE) angle, trailing edge (TE) angle, and blade thickness. Each of the parameters was divided into three levels. A total of 45 design points were planned using central composite design (CCD), which is one of the design of experiment (DOE) techniques. Response surfaces that were generated on the basis of the results of DOE were used to determine the optimal shape of impeller and diffuser blade. The entire process of optimization was conducted using ANSYS Design Xplorer (DX). Through the optimization, isentropic efficiency and pressure recovery coefficient, which are the main performance parameters of the centrifugal compressor, were increased by 0.3 and 5, respectively.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1083-1088
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• 2011

The effects of an impeller and floating ring seals on the performance of centrifugal pumps are investigated on the basis of their test results using water. The pumps are single-staged centrifugal pumps developed for 30-ton- and 75-ton-class liquid rocket engines, and are components of a turbopump that supplies propellants (liquid oxidizer and kerosene) to the combustion chamber. The exit width of the impellers and the numbers and exit angles of the impeller blades are found to have influences on the pump heads. In addition, the pumps have different efficiencies according to the gaps between the floating ring seals and the impellers, whereas the pump size seems to have less effect on the efficiency.

• 유체기계공업학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.08a
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• pp.539-542
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• 2006

A volute (or scroll) of a centrifugal compressor collects the flows from impeller or diffuser, and passes it to a pipe at the exit. This flow still contains some kinetic energy which is not converted into pressure at diffuser, thus volute designer must concern the way to minimize losses. This study defines some variables which determine the shape of volute, and carry out computational analysis based on Design of Experiment to optimize the performance of volute.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.288-295
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• 2003

A preliminary series design of compressors for a two-stage centrifugal chiller is suggested. Six groups of hydrodynamically similar compressors, ranging from 233RT to 1,200RT, are introduced. Flow rates, impeller diameters, and wheel speeds for each group are determined from hydrodynamic similarity to share impellers of adjacent groups. It is expected that these compressors can have the same performance and efficiency from the smallest model to the largest one.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.875-882
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• 2011

In the present study, the imbalance in the axial-thrust and variation in the volumetric efficiency that occurred during the trimming of impeller diameter were investigated. The present study was focused on low-specific-speed multistage centrifugal pumps with a balancing piston as the balancing mechanism. The effects of impeller trimming on the axial-thrust balance in multistage pumps with horizontal and vertical axes were compared. The results showed that impeller trimming resulted in an additional axial-thrust acting in direction of pump inlet. The axial-thrust imbalance due to impeller trimming was more severe in the vertical-axis pumps than in the horizontal-axis pumps. The rate of increase in the diameter of the balancing piston, which was proportional to the rate of impeller trimming, was evaluated to maintain the axial-thrust balance. Furthermore, a simultaneous increase in the piston length and piston diameter was more effective for reducing the axial-thrust imbalance along with the volumetric efficiency drop.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.11-16
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• 2011

This paper presents a numerical study of casing treatments on a centrifugal compressor stage to improve stability and the surge margin. High efficiency, a high pressure ratio, and a wide operating range are required for a high performance centrifugal compressor. In the present study, a ring groove arrangement was applied to the transonic centrifugal compressor. According to the numerical analysis using a commercial code ANSYS-CFX, the unstable phenomena limiting the range of the centrifugal compressors were compared with and without a ring groove. Although the ring groove decreased the efficiency, but increased the operating range by suppressing a flow separation at the leading-edge of the impeller especially near shroud part. Newly designed ring groove arrangement improved the compressor performance and increased the operating range of the compressor.