This project investigated the aerodynamic performance of a centrifugal compressor impeller representative of those used in diesel-engine turbochargers. A three-dimensional impeller model was developed and analyzed using CFD, with ideal-gas airflow simulated through the rotating blade passages to evaluate the influence of impeller back-sweep angle on compressor performance.
Different back-swept blade configurations were assessed by examining pressure ratio, flow capacity, velocity distribution, and relative Mach number throughout the impeller. The simulations showed that an appropriately selected back-sweep angle could improve compressor pressure ratio and flow performance while influencing the development of high-speed flow regions inside the blade passages.
Relative Mach-number distributions were also used to identify regions associated with shock formation and total-pressure loss. These insights provided a clearer understanding of the aerodynamic mechanisms limiting compressor efficiency and supported more informed blade-design decisions. This type of simulation-driven assessment is particularly useful during product development, where alternative impeller geometries can be evaluated before committing to costly manufacturing and experimental testing.
Contact CFD Vision to discuss centrifugal compressor CFD, turbomachinery analysis, or impeller design optimization.