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Computational Fluid Dynamics Design Optimization of a Centrifugal Impeller with Additive Manufacturing

Presenters Name: 
Sarah Agam
Primary Research Mentor: 
Cori Watson
Secondary Research Mentor: 
Session: 
2
Location: 
Commonwealth Room
Grant Program Recipient: 
Not a Recipient
Abstract: 

Impellers are an essential part of a centrifugal compressor. Improving the compressor configuration can be done through improving the impeller. The purpose of this study is to optimize the design of a centrifugal compressor impeller within design parameter constraints of additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing allows for the manufacturing of turbomachinery components without the constraints of traditional manufacturing. This work looks at computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based optimization using ANSYS CFX to improve the isentropic efficiency and pressure ratio of a centrifugal impeller. An impeller was drawn in Inventor, then parameterized and constrained to a specified 3D metal printer with the material selected as stainless steel. The boundary conditions for the flow solver are that solid surfaces are considered smooth, adiabatic, and have a no-slip condition. Additionally, periodic boundary conditions are set at the blade passage interface. The flow itself is considered steady and incompressible. The fluid is air treated as an ideal gas. A design of experiments (DOE) study is then performed by varying the design parameters within the 3D printer constraints. The final result is an optimized centrifugal impeller design. Response surface maps are also produced using the DOE data to look at how each parameter impacts the impeller performance. The flow physics from these simulations also indicate what future changes may result in further improved centrifugal impeller design.