Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/J11706/01
Title:	DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF PIPE DIFFUSERS FOR CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSORS
Principal Investigator:	Elder, Professor R
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Sch of Engineering
Organisation:	Cranfield University
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 March 1994	Ends:	28 February 1997	Value (£):	384,968
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Materials testing & eng.
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Energy
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
The objective of the study is to determine factors influencing the optimum design of the region between the impeller outlet and diffuser throat of a centrifugal compressor with pipe diffuser. The geometry of this region is accepted as being very influential, little understood and crucial to the performance of pipe diffusers. The author has been privileged with some US data which, although incomplete, will considerably assist the proposed study. Pipe diffusers are accepted as being more efficient than conventional vane island diffusers as used by UK industry and have been adopted by both General Electric and Pratt & Whitney in the US whose quoted efficiencies are usually 1-3% higher. The planned series of tests involves a study around a 5:1 pressure ratio impeller on which a range of diffuser tests will be undertaken. Large advances in both measurement technique (laser anemometry) and analytical methods (CFD) have been achieved since the last significant programme and it is intended that this project makes full use of these powerful techniques. Success in the project will provide centrifugal compressors with improved performance and range. There are many areas in which such compressors are used but it will particularly aid the gas turbine industry where centrifugal compressors are extensively used in small engines and also potentially large engines where they could replace several final stages on the higher pressure spool. This will become particularly attractive as overall pressure ratios increase and volume flow rates reduce in the final stages to a point where the specific speed is more appropriate to a centrifugal compressor.
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Organisation Website:	http://www.cranfield.ac.uk