Turbomachinery

DIFFUSERS
Prof. P. Gaetani
[Link]@[Link]
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Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.
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OUTLINES

In this section we will discuss:

1. Recall of the thermodynamic and Fluid mechanics bases

2. Diffusers types

3. Efficiency / loss calculation

4. Range of application

Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.

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DIFFUSERS
GOAL: stationary component devoted to the
kinetic energy recovery into pressure

APPLICATIONS:

• important in compressors at low reaction degree  high kinetic energy

at the rotor outlet

• not very important in pumps (high reaction degree) and fans (where the
kinetic head is a useful effect)

• turbine outlet (downstream the last stage) in order to increase the

mechanical power by the reduction of the discharged kinetic head

• axial compressors outlet

….. All the applications where a velocity reduction is required ….

Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.

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Thermodynamic perspective
@OUTLET . GIVEN THE SAME:
• TOTAL ENTHALPY
• STATIC PRESSURE

Fluid-dynamic efficiency
Based on the kinetic head
V22
E cin ,r 2
η= = 2
E cin ,is V 2 ,is
2
V22 V22,is
= hT , 2 − h 2 ; = hT , 2 − h2,is
2 2
compression

h2 − h2,is h2 − h2,is V22,is − V22

Kinetic energy loss: V12 = kinetic Energy available ζ= = =
V12 hT ,1 − h1 V12
2

pT ,1 − pT , 2
Total pressure Loss: (PT1 - P1) = kinetic head available Y2 =
pT ,1 − p1

Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.

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Thermodynamic perspective

PT,1 @OUTLET, GIVEN THE SAME:

h PT,2
• TOTAL ENTHALPY
hT,1 = hT,2
P2
• KINETIC ENERGY RELEASED
2E Pressure recovery factor
2
p2,E P2 ,E − P1
2’ P2 − P1
P1 Cp = C p ,is =
PT ,1 − P1 PT ,1 − P1

1
s Cp < 1 always; V2 > 0 to deliver flow rate

V22 1
if ρ = const: C p ,is = 1− 2 = 1−
V1 AR 2

Diffusion efficiency η = C p = P2 − P1
D
(Based on pressure) C p ,is P2, E − P1

Same as before:
pT ,1 − pT , 2
Total pressure Loss: (PT1 - P1) = kinetic head available Y2 =
pT ,1 − p1
Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.
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Fluid mechanics perspective

From gasdynamic: (M − 1) dVV = dSS − τpSc − CdqT

2
(M −1) dVV = dSS − τpSc
2
p

subsonic: supersonic:

Pressure dp dV τ c
change:
=− γM 2 − τ always opposite to the pressure increase
p V pS

∂u x ∂p ∂τ
From the momentum eq. in a 1Dimensional form, it is: ρu x =− +
∂x ∂x ∂y

Depending on the BL
evolution, pressure
gradient etc.. Flow
detachment may occur

Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.

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Diffusion of non uniform flows

P1,wake = P1,jet
jet
P2,wake = P2,jet
wake

jet PT,wake < PT,jet

1
2
Continuity: ρ V S = const
Pressure / velocity: 𝑃𝑃𝑇𝑇
= 𝑓𝑓 𝑀𝑀 If ρ = const  Pt = P + ρV2/2
𝑃𝑃

ρ = const. 𝑆𝑆2 𝑉𝑉1 𝑃𝑃𝑡𝑡 −𝑃𝑃1 𝑃𝑃𝑡𝑡 −𝑃𝑃1

Isoentropic flow = = >1 >
𝑃𝑃𝑡𝑡 −𝑃𝑃1
𝑆𝑆1 𝑉𝑉2 𝑃𝑃𝑡𝑡 −𝑃𝑃2 𝑃𝑃𝑡𝑡 −𝑃𝑃2 𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤 𝑃𝑃𝑡𝑡 −𝑃𝑃2 𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗

 Deceleration increases the spatial not uniformity 𝑆𝑆2 𝑆𝑆2

>
The same holds for compressible flows 𝑆𝑆1 𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤
𝑆𝑆1 𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗

Acceleration reduces the spatial not uniformity

Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.
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examples
Stator in Axial machine:
Not in this group

Vaned diffuser in centrifugal

machine:
Well described by the following
approach

Aero-engines: Ramjet

Exit duct of the

whole machine

Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.

 schematic 9

Conical diffuser: planar diffuser:

Axial machine outlet centrifugal machines

For ex: h1 = π D /Nblade

MAIN GEOMETRICAL PARAMETERS:
• shape of the inlet area: diameter for conical diffuser,
height and width for planar diff.
• area ratio (outlet/inlet)
• semi-diffusion angle (ε),
• non-dimensional Length (L/r1; L/h1)

Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.

 Performance parameters 10

Friction:
1) applies a force on the duct boundary
c = duct perimeter; dl = length of the control volume, V2
V=average velocity in the section, cf ’ : local friction factor dFw = τ 0 c dl = c f ' ρ c dl
2
2) Dissipates kinetic energy in the B.L.:
c = duct perimeter; dl = length of the control volume, V3
V=average velocity in the section, cd’ : local dissipation factor
dPf ÷ Fw ⋅ V → dPf = cd ' ρ c dl
2
Pf = dissipated power

Pf V 2 c dl
Energy dissipation dh f = = cd ' Given the same hT !
m 2 S

• In straight pipes where ∂τ

≈ cos t  cd ≈ cf
∂y

• In general and in diffusers : cd > cf

2 2 2 2
dh f  ρ ⋅S  c V  c
Loss coeff. ςf =
∫V 1
2
= cd Φ1 where
∫
Φ1 =  1 1 
1
 ρ ⋅ S  S
dl =
∫
1
 
 V  S dl
 1
2
φ = diffuser shape factor
Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.
 Performance parameters 11

2 2 2 2
 ρ ⋅S  c V  c
∫
Φ1 =  1 1 
 ρ ⋅S  S
1
dl =
∫
1
 
 V  S dl
 1

For incompressible flows, shape factor is a geometrical parameter

Conical diffusers: planar diffusers:

  4
D   L  h h 
1 −  1
  D2  
  Φ1 = 1 + 1 + 2 1  with: h2= h1+2 L tanε
h2  h2 b 
Φ1 =   
2 ⋅ tan ε

Dissipation factor cd: cd = cd (geometry, Re, M, inletBL)

inletBL = blockage induce by the inlet Boundary Layer  δ *c

S
cd evaluation:
• CFD codes: turbulence modelling very complex BUT , if you have CFD , cd is no more required
• semi-empirical correlations: validity limited to geometrical / fluid-dynamic similarity
• charts: specific chart or as very first guess: cd =1.5- 2 cf Moody
Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.
 Performance 12
ε
parameters

cd
Overall result:
Minimum losses for
φ1 ≈ 10

δ* = displacement thickness on both surfaces

Data for Re ≈105
L, h1, h2, ε : linked by geometry dh f
ςf =
∫V
1
2
= cd Φ1
2
Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.
 pT,1 13
EFFICIENCY h pT,2

HT,1 = HT,2
2
V
Diffusion efficiency h2 ,is − h1 2
2 p2
defined by the enthalpies η D ,is =
h2 − h1 V22,is
2 2

2,is
p1
V12
Max efficiency 2

1
s

2 ε = 8° - 10° gives the max

efficiency for all the
geometries

 It is a must

Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.

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PRESSURE RECOVERY FORECAST
According to the DIFFUSER DATA BOOK P2 − P1
Cp =
Main parameters: PT ,1 − P1
δ 1*
• blockage factor (B. Layer): planar diff. ε K = h Planar diffuser
1
δ 1*
Conical diff. ε K =
r1

h2 L
• Area ratio: planar: AR = = 1 + 2 tan ε
h1 h1
2
r 
conical: AR =  2 
 r1 
• Aspect ratio (inlet section dimensioning)
AS: planar: b/h1
• diffuser lenght: planar: L/h1
conical: L/r1
• semi-diffusion angle ε
(or in alternative AR).
• Inlet Mach & Reynolds numbers

Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.

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PRESSURE RECOVERY FORECAST P −P
Cp = 2 1
According to the DIFFUSER DATA BOOK PT ,1 − P1

Max for AS = 1

Subsonic:
Sensitive @ low B

Transonic:
Sensitive @ high B:  Small change in δ  high change in S/S*  change in Mach
Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.
 16

Complex geometries ρu x
∂u x
=−
∂p ∂τ
+
∂x ∂x ∂y
flow deceleration is function of angle ε

 Pressure gradient, as well

 flow detachment

ε
CASE A: Local and unstable flow
detachment: separation «bubble» promotes
laminar-turbulent transition  BL energized
and then re-attach

CASE B: stable and «full» flow

detachment

Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.

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Complex geometries
β = duct turning
ε = semi-diffusion angle =f( h1, h2, L )

Assumption:
h1 ∆p
h2 a) Uniform pressure at
inlet, outlet

COMMENTS
1. If the duct turns, internal part of the bending has a greater pressure gradient in the rear part
 ~ suction side of blades !!  boundary layer detachment

2. As the duct turning increases, it is expected that angle ε without detachment decreases due to the
high pressure gradient in the inner part of the curvature  lower overall possible area ratio (S2/S1) 
lower pressure recovery

Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.

 Complex geometries 18

β = duct turning
2ε = diffusion angle with separation bubble β
h1 ∆p
h2

COMMENTS

1. It exists a maximum of the semi-diffusion angle

(blue line) once the duct turning is set.
2ε
2. As the duct turning increases, the semi-
diffusion angle without separation decreases
due to the high pressure gradient in the inner
part of the curvature

3. As the length increase, the BL development

enhanced  BL is more prone to detachment

L / h1
Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.
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Annular diffusers

• Diffuser has hub/tip walls,

• Design condition usually foresees axial flow

• In Off design conditions, swirl angle  possible flow separation @ hub (at endwalls in
general)

Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.

 Annular diffusers Sovran & Klomp chart 20

COMMENTS

1. On a quality level, performance similar to the cylindrical diffuser ones

2. Common design is in between the two lines

Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.
 Annular diffusers 21

COMMENTS

1. Swirl angle reduces the possible pressure recovery (symmetrical behavior with respect
to axial flow)

2. Swirl angle induces Vt  radial eq.  lower pressure @ hub  higher Vt, higher α
 BL enlargement  Possible flow detachment
Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.
 DIFFUSER IMPACT on turbine performance 22
SAME STATIC PRESSURE @ DIFFUSER OUTLET
Limit case with isentropic
diffuser
turbine Straight
duct
With diffuser, lower kinetic head
released  lower total enthalpy at
Work Work outlet  higher work

turbine diffuser

V22/2
V22/2 Real case with dissipative
diffuser

Work Work In case the diffuser is very

dissipative, work does not improve
and can worsen

V22/2
V22/2

Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.

 Annular diffusers 1−
Tout ,diff 23

Tin , stage
ηT , s = γ −1 For a turbine
p  γ
1 −  out ,diff 
p 
 in , stage  pout ,diff − pin ,diff
Cp =
pT ,in ,diff − pin ,diff
PT,1
h PT,2
hT,1 = hT,2
P2
2E
2
2’
P1

1
s
chart for the machine in slide 19
1. If Cp too low, diffuser effect is detrimental on the whole stage  better not to apply it
2. For high pressure recovery, diffuser is useful  increase in the machine efficiency

NB: this effect depends on the amount of kinetic energy available  case dependent 

Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.

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Annular diffusers
An example

• applied to connect HP and

LP stages in aero-engines

• Diffuser shape only because of

the different radii

Turbomachinery – Prof. Gaetani – Dip. Energia.