The Flow Characteristics in a Vaneless Diffuser by PIV Measurements

The flow characteristics in a vaneless diffuser with a backswept radial impeller have been experimentally investigated according to the variation of discharge flow rate. Particle image velocimetry(PIV) system was applied to measure velocity fields with several operating conditions and on some diffuser horizontal planes. Pressure transducers were installed on hub wall of the diffuser in order to analyze the pressure fluctuations and their corresponding velocity fields. The results show that the location of the main flow center moves from the hub to the shroud side as the flow rate decreases, and the reverse flow is locally generated on the hub side.