Effect of Recirculation Device

With Counter Swirl Vane on

Performance of High Pressure
Hideaki Tamaki
Turbo Machinery and Engine
Technology Department,
Ratio Centrifugal Compressor
IHI Corporation,
Centrifugal compressors used for turbochargers need to achieve a wide operating range.
1, Shin-Nakahara-Cho, Isogo-Ku,
The author has developed a high pressure ratio centrifugal compressor with pressure ra-
Yokohama, 235-8501
e-mail: hideaki_tamaki@ihi.co.jp
tio 5.7 for a marine use turbocharger. In order to enhance operating range, two different
types of recirculation devices were applied. One is a conventional recirculation device.
The other is a new one. The conventional recirculation device consists of an upstream
slot, bleed slot and the annular cavity which connects both slots. The new recirculation
device has vanes installed in the cavity. These vanes were designed to provide recircula-
tion flow with negative preswirl at the impeller inlet, a swirl counterwise to the impeller
rotational direction. The benefits of the application of both of the recirculation devices
were ensured. The new device in particular, shifted surge line to a lower flow rate com-
pared to the conventional device. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4004820]

This paper discusses how the new recirculation device affects
the flow field in the above transonic centrifugal compressor by
using steady 3D calculations. Since the conventional recirculation
device injects the flow with positive preswirl at the impeller inlet,
the major difference between the conventional and new recircula-
tion device is the direction of preswirl that the recirculation flow
brings to the impeller inlet.
This study focuses on two effects which preswirl of the recircu-
lation flow will generate:
(1) additional work transfer from impeller to fluid
(2) increase or decrease of relative Mach number
Negative preswirl increases work transfer from the impeller to
fluid as the flow rate reduces. It increases negative slope on pres-
sure ratio characteristics. Hence, the recirculation flow with nega-
tive preswirl will contribute to stability of the compressor.
Negative preswirl also increases the relative Mach number at the
impeller inlet. It moves shock downstream compared to the con-
ventional recirculation device. It leads to the suppression of the
extension of blockage due to the interaction of shock with tip
leakage flow.
1 Introduction
High boost pressure is required in order to increase specific out-
put power of Diesel engines. Improved thermal efficiency and
reduced emissions are also essential for environmental conserva-
tion. The pressure ratio of compressors for turbochargers is
continuously increasing to meet these engine requirements. How-
ever, even higher pressure ratio is necessary, if Miller timing is
applied [1].
If the pressure ratio of a centrifugal compressor with large vol-
ume flow rate exceeds 3.5, the Mach number relative to the in-
ducer of the impeller is higher than 1.0. If the pressure ratio
exceeds 4.5, the flow downstream of the impeller is expected to
be supersonic. Although there were many studies about compres-
sors with pressure ratio of more than 4.5, recent progress in exper-
Contributed by the International Gas Turbine Institute (IGTI) Division of ASME
for publication in the JOURNAL OF TURBOMACHINERY. Manuscript received July 10,
2011; final manuscript received July 28, 2011; published online June 5, 2012. Editor:
David Wisler.
imental techniques and 3D calculations with computational fluid
dynamics (CFD) accelerate these researches.
A number of experimental and numerical studies on the flow
structures in transonic centrifugal compressors have been pub-
lished. They described that the complexity of the flow field in a
transonic compressor is caused by a shock structure and an evolu-
tion of tip leakage vortex [2–4]. Higashimori et al. [5], Marconcini
[6] and Ibaraki et al. [7] showed that 3D calculations with CFD
had enough ability to simulate shock structure, evolution of tip
leakage vortex and interaction between shock and tip leakage vor-
tex. Hazby et al. [8] calculated the flow field in a transonic com-
pressor and showed that a breakdown of the splitter tip vortex is
the primary cause of breakdown of stable operation.
Centrifugal compressors used for turbochargers need to achieve
a wide operating range. A recirculation device, which consists of
a bleed slot, an upstream slot and an annular cavity connecting
both slots, is often applied to them. A typical recirculation device
is shown in Fig. 1. Hunziker et al. [9] adapted a recirculation de-
vice to a centrifugal compressor with pressure ratio of 4.2 and
they succeeded in the enhancement of surge margin without sacri-
ficing compressor efficiency. Sivagnanasudaram et al. [10] inves-
tigated the effect of a bleed slot on flow characteristics in a
centrifugal compressor with pressure ratio of 4.5 and proposed a
proper width of the bleed slot. They also showed that suction of
separation vortex and over tip vortex by the bleed slot reduces the
formation of stall flow. There are many studies about recirculation
devices [11–13]. However, many of them are focused on compres-
sors for automotive turbochargers with pressure ratio of less than
3.0. There are few papers about recirculation devices applied to
high pressure ratio centrifugal compressors.
The author developed a high pressure ratio centrifugal compres-
sor with pressure ratio of 5.7 for a marine use turbocharger [14].
In order to enhance operating range, two different types of recir-
culation devices were applied. One is a conventional recirculation
device as described in Fig. 1, the second is a new one. The new
recirculation device has vanes installed in the cavity. These vanes
were designed to provide the recirculation flow through the annu-
lar cavity with a swirl counterwise to the impeller rotational direc-
tion. Illustrations of the new recirculation device are shown in
Fig. 2. The benefits of the application of both the recirculation
devices were ensured. The new device in particular, shifted the
surge line to lower flow rate compared to the conventional device.
The author discussed roles of the conventional recirculation de-
vice in enhancement of operating range of the above compressor

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Fig. 1 Schematic view of conventional recirculation device
Fig. 2 Illustration of new recirculation device
under a transonic flow condition by using 3D calculations [15].
The effect of bleed slot on the flow field, especially shock and tip
leakage flow, was investigated. The results are as follows:
(1) The bleed slot reduces blade loading in the impeller tip
region. And hence, the velocity of tip leakage flow exiting
the bleed slot becomes lower compared with that without
the recirculation device.
(2) The flow through the bleed slot impinges on the tip leakage
flow originated upstream and blocks the extension of the tip
leakage flow. It also deflects trajectory of the tip leakage
vortex.
(3) The bleed slot removes the fluid near the casing. The shock
moves downstream due to the reduction of blockage.
(4) The flow through the bleed slot impinges on the tip leakage
flow affecting the relative Mach number distribution. It also
changes the shock position.
All these effects induced by the bleed slot are considered to
lead to the suppression of the extension of blockage and to con-
tribute to the enhancement of the compressor operating range.
The mechanism for the enhancement of the centrifugal compres-
sor’s operational range under a transonic condition by the recircu-
lation device is not the improvement of incidence, i.e., reduction
of the difference between the relative flow angle and blade angle
at the leading edge of the impeller, but also the suppression of the
growth of blockage due to the interaction between shock and tip
leakage vortex.
This paper discusses the roles of the new recirculation device in
the enhancement of operating range under a transonic flow condi-
tion by using 3D calculations.
The new recirculation device provides the recirculation flow
with swirl opposite to the impeller rotational direction, namely
negative preswirl. While the conventional device injects the recir-
culation flow with positive preswirl, swirl in the same rotational
direction of the impeller, from the upstream slot to the impeller
inlet. The major difference between the conventional and new
recirculation device is therefore the direction of preswirl that the
recirculation flow brings to impeller inlet.
This study focuses on two effects which preswirl of the recircu-
lation flow will generate
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Table 1 Grid sensitivities
yþ 30 15 5 4 3 2
N/Nref 0.431 0.573 0.788 0.921 1.000 1.208
P2/P2ref 0.947 0.962 0.999 0.999 1.000 0.999
g2/g2ref 0.956 0.970 0.997 0.999 1.000 1.000
(1) additional work transfer from impeller to fluid
(2) increase or decrease of relative Mach number
2 Numerical Simulation
Steady 3D calculations were carried out using a RANS in-house
code developed by IHI [16]. Impeller and vaneless diffuser pas-
sages were modeled with one periodic pitch of the impeller. These
were discretized by H-grids. The Chakravarthy-Osher TVD
scheme was used to discretize the convective term and the
Spalart-Allmaras model for turbulence closure.
Three different configurations were modeled in this study. One
was a case without recirculation device. The others were cases
with recirculation devices. One was a case with a conventional
recirculation device. The other was a case with a new recircula-
tion device. The number of grid points for these configurations
were about 4,500,000 to 5,200,000. Twenty-one (21) grid points
were located between the blade tip and casing to represent the tip
clearance. The conventional recirculation device was defined in
the rotating system of the impeller and modeled with the same pe-
riodicity as an impeller blade passage. In the case of the new recir-
culation device, mixing plane approach was selected between
vanes in the cavity and the rotating system including the impeller
and recirculation device except the vanes. Mean value of yþ was
3.0 for all the three cases. Table 1 shows an example of a grid sen-
sitivity analysis. The example is the case without recirculation de-
vice at a design condition. The ratio of the mass averaged total
pressure at impeller exit of each yþ to that of yþ ¼ 3.0 together
with the number of grids divided by that of yþ ¼ 3.0 is shown.
Table 1 also includes the ratio of the adiabatic efficiency to that of
yþ ¼ 3.0. This result ensures that yþ ¼ 3.0 is appropriate to this
study.
In the calculation, mass flow rate was specified. Outlet static
pressure was adjusted during the calculation to meet the specified
mass flow rate. The simulation was considered as converged if os-
cillation of inlet and outlet mass flow leveled off within 0.1% over
2000 consecutive iterations. A scroll was not modeled in this
study.
There are three positions which are used for figures, 90%, 95%
and 97% span. Relative Mach number and position of shock,
which are closely related to blockage, are mainly plotted at 90%
span. Flow angle at the leading edge which is influenced by the
recirculation flow are mostly considered at 95% span. Figures of
97% and 98% span are aimed to see a flow through the tip
clearance.
3 Investigated Compressor and Compressor
Characteristics
The specifications and main parameters of the investigated
compressor are listed in Table 2, Table 3 and Table 4. The outer
radius of the impeller is 72.2 mm, tip clearance is 0.5 mm. Figure 3
shows two pictures of the compressor. The impeller adopts double
Table 2 Compressor specifications
Mu / w p
1.62 0.108 0.624 5.7
Transactions of the ASME
 Table 3 Main parameters of impeller
Z 6/6/6 full/1st /2nd splitter
R1s/R2 0.72 b2/R2
b1b 62 deg /28 deg shroud/hub
b2b 15 deg/16 deg/11 deg full/1st /2nd splitter
Table 4 Main parameter of vaneless diffuser
b3/b2
0.75
Fig. 3 Picture of investigated compressor
Fig. 4 Investigated recirculation device
splitter blades. Backsweep angles of the full blade and the two
adjoining splitter blades are different from each other. The com-
pressor was originally designed to be used with vaned diffuser.
However, experiments were done with a vaneless diffuser to
exclude the possibility of stall caused by a vaned diffuser. The orig-
inal scroll designed for the vaned compressor was also used for the
compressor with the vaneless diffuser.
The compressors with three different casing were investigated.
One is a smooth wall that is the casing without the recirculation
devices. The smooth wall is called SW in this study. The other
two include recirculation devices. One adapts the conventional
recirculation device, called RC, as described in Fig. 1. The other
casing is the new recirculation device, called CS, as shown in
Fig. 2. As vanes are installed in the cavity of RC to provide the
recirculation flow with negative preswirl at the impeller inlet, the
geometries of upstream slot, bleed slot and annular cavity of CS
are the same as those of RC. Vane setting angle is 65 deg. Figure
4 shows the meridional view of the compressor with the main
dimensions of the recirculation device. Schematic view of the
vanes of the new recirculation device is also shown.
Performance of compressor was derived from measurements of
static pressure, total pressure and total temperature in both inlet
and discharge line. Compressor mass flow rate was measured in
the discharge line using an orifice plate flow meter. Surge was
detected by high-frequency response pressure transducers at the
compressor inlet and exit. Noise was also used to detect surge.
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0.11
R3/R2
1.74
Fig. 5 Measured compressor performance
Fig. 6 Calculated compressor performance
Figure 5 shows the measured compressor characteristics with a
vaneless diffuser. Surge of SW occurs at the highest flow rate. RC
goes into surge at the second highest flow rate. The surge flow
rate of CS is the lowest among three casings.
Figure 6 shows the calculated total to total pressure ratio at the
impeller exit. The onset of divergence or oscillation of the calcu-
lation is not the same as onset of compressor instability, surge or
stall. However, the numerical instability is considered to have a
strong correlation with undesirable flow phenomena, such as sepa-
ration and extension of blockage. Hence, onset of compressor
instability based on CFD was defined by the point where the cal-
culation became unstable. Since the total pressure at the impeller
exit was not measured, the results of CFD cannot be verified by
the measured data directly. However, the flow rate at onset of
compressor instability for each casing based on CFD has similar
tendency to the surge flow rate obtained by experiments. Onset of
compressor instability based on CFD of SW occurs at the highest
flow rate. RC goes into onset of compressor instability at the sec-
ond highest flow rate. The flow rate at onset of compressor insta-
bility of CS based on CFD is the lowest among three casings.
Figure 7 shows the comparison between measured and calculated
static pressure at 1.14R2 for each casing. The agreement of RC is
better compared to other cases. Although the quantitative agree-
ments between measured and calculated data become worse as the
peripheral Mach number increases, qualitative agreement is still
good. The results of CFD can also capture the difference of stall
margin among three casings. Hence, the results of CFD were used
SEPTEMBER 2012, Vol. 134 / 051036-3
 Fig. 7 Measured and calculated static pressure at 1.14R2
Fig. 9 Work coefficient based on CFD results

Fig. 8 Work coefficient based on measured data

to discuss the flow fields in the present compressor in particular at

onset of compressor instability.

4 Additional Work Transfer From Impreller to Fluid

Fig. 10 One-dimensional model of the recirculation device
Figure 8 shows a relation between flow rate and work coefficient
given by the measurement data. Work coefficient is the ratio of stag-
nation enthalpy change in impeller to square of impeller tip speed. DE ¼ UM ðCuB  CuL Þ
The work coefficient, l0, represents work transfer from the
impeller to the fluid and closely relates to the compressor pressure Using velocity triangle at B, CuB is expressed as;
rise. There are no significant differences in the work coefficients
among the three casings at high flow rate. Reduction of the flow CuB ¼ UM  CmB tan bbB
rate generates significant differences in them. The work coeffi-
cient of CS has the steepest negative slope in the three casings. At
UM is a reference peripheral speed at a reference radius at L. A
the design peripheral Mach number, Mu ¼ 1.62, SW and RC go
reference radius at L is an appropriate radius to derive reference
into surge before the significant differences in the work coeffi-
flow parameters at L (e.g., mean or root mean square of R1s and
cients appear. Figure 9 shows the work coefficient obtained by
R1h as shown in Eq. (12)). bbB is a blade angle at B.
CFD. The results of CFD indicate the similar tendencies to the ex-
m and mr can be written in terms of stream properties at 1
perimental results. The negative slope on the work coefficient of
and U;
CS is expected to increase negative slope on pressure ratio charac-
teristics, and hence enhance the operating range. The effect of CS m
on the work transfer which occurs between the compressor inlet ¼ Cm1 A1
q
and bleed slot was examined in this section.
ðm þ mr Þ
¼ CmU AU
4.1 One-Dimensional Analysis. Figure 10 is an illustration q
of the one-dimensional model for the recirculation device region.
Stagnation enthalpy at the bleed slot station “B” is the sum of the A1 and AU correspond to the area at 1 and U respectively. As A1
stagnation enthalpy at the impeller leading edge station “L” and equals to AU, CmU can be expressed as:
change of the stagnation enthalpy between L and B.
ðm þ mr Þ
CpTB ¼ CpTL þ DE (1) CmU ¼ Cm1
m

DE is work transfer from the impeller to the fluid between L and If a change in the area from U to L is ignored, CmB can be
B. DE is given by the Euler turbine equation expressed as;

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 CmB ¼ CmU

CuB is derived as;

m þ mr
CuB ¼ UM  Cm1 tan bbB
m
Using above result, DE is expressed as Eq. (2)
 m þ mr 
DE ¼ UM UM  Cm1 tan bbB  UM CuL (2)
m

Only the case when the recirculation occurs from the bleed slot to
upstream slot, namely mr>0, was examined. For simplicity, flow
is assumed to be incompressible. CuL can be derived from the
angular momentum conservation.
mr RU
CuL ¼ CuU (3) Fig. 11 Inlet work coefficient based on 1-D model
m þ mr RM
RU is a radius of the shroud at U. RM is a reference radius at L.
In case of RC, CuU can be related to a reference circumferential Table 5 Parameters used in calculation
velocity at B, and it is described as Eq. (4).
 R bbB h H J /0
m þ mr BM
CuU ¼ k1 UBM  Cm1 tan bbB (4)
m RU 45 deg 65 deg 0.3 0.14 0.75

RBM is a reference radius at B. RBM and UBM are approximated by

RM and UM, because of the small changes of the shroud and hub
radius between L and B. Equation (4) can be modified to Eq. (4a).
 R CpDTRC
m þ mr M lRC ¼ ¼ k3 alSW þ ð1  ð1 þ aÞ/ tan bbB Þ
CuU ¼ k1 UM  Cm1 tan bbB (4a) UM 2
m RU k1 a
 ð1  ð1 þ aÞ/ tan bbB Þ (10)
k1 is proportional constant. ð1 þ aÞ
In case of CS, the vanes guide the flow injected from the CpDTCS
upstream slot. CuU can be derived as Eq. (5) accordingly. lCS ¼ ¼ k3 alSW þ ð1  ð1 þ aÞ/ tan bbB Þ
UM 2
rffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
mr k2 a2 ð1  H 2 Þ 2
CuU ¼ k2 tan h þ / tan h (11)
q  2pRU W ð1 þ aÞ 2J 1 þ H2
 2  (5)
mr =m R1s  R1h 2
¼ k2 Cm1 tan h Deriving Eq. (10) and (11), RM is estimated by Eq. (12) and RU is
2RU W
approximated by R1s. H and J are R1h/R1s and W/R1s.
h is a setting angle of the vane in the recirculation device of CS. sffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
k2 is proportional constant R1s 2 þ R1h 2
The stagnation enthalpy rise between the compressor inlet and RM ¼ (12)
2
the bleed slot for each case is obtained in the equations from (6)
to (8). DT is total temperature rise between the compressor inlet Figure 11 shows the calculated results with k1=1.0, k2 ¼ 1.0 and
and the bleed slot. The subscript expresses each casing, e.g., DTSW k3 ¼ 1.0 as the simplest case. Table 5 describes parameters used in
is total temperature rise of SW. / is Cm1/ UM. a is a recirculation the calculations. bbB, h, H, and J are determined by reference to
ratio that is defined as mr/m, the ratio of the recirculation flow rate the tested impeller geometries. A relationship between / and a
to compressor inlet flow rate. was assumed by Eq. (13).
CpDTSW ¼ UM 2 ð1  / tan bbB Þ (6) a ¼ 0:5ð1  /=/0 Þ (13)
2
CpDTRC ¼ CpðTL  T1 Þ þ UM ð1  ð1 þ aÞ/ tan bbB Þ
k1 a This was selected based on Fig. 21 in Reference [14]. Equation
 UM 2 ð1  ð1 þ aÞ/ tan bbB Þ (7) (13) means that the reduction of 10% of m increases of 5% of a.
ð1 þ aÞ Since the one dimensional model does not include the effect of
CpDTCS ¼ CpðTL  T1 Þ þ UM 2 ð1  ð1 þ aÞ/ tan bbB Þ compressibility, i.e., rotational speed, and any loss generation, the
  results obtained by the one dimensional model are not expected to
k2 a2 R1s 2  R1h 2 show the good quantitative agreement with test and CFD results.
þ UM 2 / tan h (8)
ð1 þ aÞ RM W However, these are still important to grasp the essential effect of
each casing on the compressor performance.
This paper defines an inlet work coefficient as the ratio of en- The effect of each casing on the work transfer which occurs
thalpy rise between 1 and B to the square of UM. Let Cp(TLT1) between the compressor inlet and bleed slot is explained as follows:
be k3 aCpDTSW. k3 is proportional constant here. Then the inlet (1) Negative slope of the inlet work coefficient of CS becomes
work coefficient for each casing is written steep as the flow rate reduces. This is due to negative pre-
swirl caused by the vanes in CS. The third term of right-
CpDTSW
lSW ¼ ¼ 1  / tan bbB (9) hand side of Eq. (11) increases the inlet work coefficient
UM 2 with the square of the recirculation ratio. The inlet work

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 Fig. 12 Inlet work coefficient based on CFD results

coefficient of CS has the steepest negative slope in the three

casings below / of 0.8. Fig. 13 Recirculation ratio
(2) The inlet work coefficient of RC takes the smallest value.
This is due to positive preswirl induced by the recirculation
flow, the third term of right-hand side of Eq. (10).
(3) The recirculation flow, mr, reduces the inlet work coeffi-
cient by a/tan(bbB) as will be noted in Eq. (10) and (11).
Since the recirculation flow rate is low at high flow rate,
total enthalpy rise at the leading edge, k3alSW in Eq. (10)
and (11) is small and the preswirl induced by the recircula-
tion flow is weak. Hence, SW can take the highest inlet
work coefficient above / of 0.8.

Figure 12 shows the inlet work coefficients obtained by CFD

for two different peripheral Mach number, Mu ¼ 1.40 and 1.62.
Since the one-dimensional model can capture the features of CFD
results, the above explanations will be valid. In addition to the
role of the conventional recirculation device, RC, in enhancement
of the operating range, the new recirculation device, CS, increases
the negative slope on the inlet work coefficient rise. Hence it will
contribute to stability of the compressor.
4.2 Results of CFD. The calculated recirculation ratios at
Mu ¼ 1.40 and 1.62 are presented in Fig. 13. The recirculation
flow rate can be calculated by subtracting the flow rate at the inlet
boundary flow from that at the impeller leading edge. The recircu-
lation ratio of CS is almost equal to that of RC. It can be seen that
the recirculation devices were designed to have almost 0 of the
recirculation ratio at design point, Mu ¼ 1.62 and m/md ¼ 1.0, to
avoid the deterioration of compressor performance.
Figure 14 shows the circumferentially averaged spanwise cir-
cumferential velocity distribution of the leading edge, CuL, at
Mu ¼ 1.40 for m/ md ¼ 0.81, 0.68 and 0.55. “0.0” and “1.0” in the
spanwise distribution correspond to hub and shroud respectively.
Each flow rate corresponds to the flow rate of onset of compressor
instability for SW, RC, and CS. RC generates positive preswirl and
CS brings negative preswirl. Both preswirls increase as the flow
rate reduces—in other words as the recirculation ratio increases.
The mass averaged total temperature distribution, equivalent to
the stagnation enthalpy, in the impeller inlet region, circumferen-
tially averaged spanwise relative flow angle distribution of the
leading edge and relative Mach number distribution on the full
blade at 90% span for m/md ¼ 0.81 at Mu ¼ 1.40 are presented in
Fig. 15. Total temperature is normalized by the total temperature
at the compressor inlet. The total temperatures of SW and CS at B
are almost the same and higher than that of RC. The recirculation
flow ratio of RC is 5.9% of the compressor inlet flow rate and that
of CS is 5.7% of that. Since the impellers between L and B for RC
and CS work at about 6% of higher flow rate than that for SW, the
impeller blade loadings between L and B for RC and CS are
smaller than that for SW and the total temperature rises between L
Fig. 14 Circumferentially averaged circumferential velocity
distribution of leading edge at Mu=1.40
and B of RC and CS are lower than that of SW. The impeller
blade loading between L and B of CS is higher than that of RC
due to negative preswirl of CS and positive preswirl of RC. It
makes the total temperature of CS higher than that of RC.
The leading edge relative flow angle of SW at 95% span is
66.2 deg. The relative flow angle of the leading edge of RC at 95%
span is 63.3 deg and that of CS is 64.3 deg. The recirculation flow
rate increases axial (meridional) velocity and reduces the relative
flow angle at the impeller leading edge. The bleed slot removes
fluid by mr ( ¼ am), the flow after the bleed slot is decelerated.
This deceleration increases the circumferential velocity and brings a
sharp rise in the total temperature just downstream of the bleed slot
(near arrows in Fig. 17). The suction of fluid by the bleed slot
inclines streamlines toward the shroud. It also contributes to an
increase of the circumferential velocity and rises the total tempera-
ture downstream of the bleed slot.
The mass averaged total temperature distributions in the impeller
inlet region, circumferentially averaged spanwise relative flow angle
distributions of the leading edge and relative Mach number distribu-
tions on the full blade at 90% span for m/md ¼ 0.68 and 0.55 at
Mu ¼ 1.40 are presented in Fig. 16. m/md ¼ 0.68 and 0.55 correspond
to the flow rate of compressor instability for RC and CS, respec-
tively. The relative flow angle of the leading edge of RC at 95%
span is 63.1 deg which is approximately the same as that at m/
md ¼ 0.81 because of the increase in the recirculation ratio and posi-
tive swirl. The relative flow angle of the leading edge of CS at 95%
span at m/md ¼ 0.68 increases up to 70.4 deg and that at m/md ¼ 0.55
reaches to 78.0 deg due to negative preswirl. The impeller blade

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Fig. 15 Total temperature, relative flow angle and relative
Mach number at Mu 5 1.40 (m/md 5 0.81). (a) total temperature
distribution near impeller inlet, (b) circumferentially averaged
relative flow angle at leading edge, and (c) relative Mach num-
ber on full blade at 90% span.
loading of CS is higher than that of RC. The total temperature of CS
is higher than that of RC. The reduction of the flow rate from m/
md ¼ 0.81 to 0.68 widens the gap between the total temperature of
RC and that of CS. Figure 17 shows the circumferentially averaged
streamlines near the shroud at m/md ¼ 0.81 for SW, that at m/
md ¼ 0.68 for RC and that at m/md ¼ 0.55 for CS. Each flow rate cor-
responds to the flow rate at onset of compressor instability for each
casing. The streamline of CS shows separation between L and B.
The bleed slot removes separation and contributes to avoid the exten-
sion of the separation downstream of the bleed slot, while no clear
separation can be found in the streamlines of SW and RC.
The flow in the compressor at the design speed, Mu ¼ 1.62,
showed similar tendencies to that at Mu ¼ 1.40. Figure 18 shows
the circumferentially averaged circumferential velocity distribu-
tions of the leading edge, CuL, for m/md ¼ 0.97, 0.89 and 0.75.
m/md ¼ 0.97, 0.89 and 0.75 correspond to the flow rates of onsets
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Fig. 16 Total temperature, relative flow angle and relative
Mach number at Mu 5 1.40 (m/md 5 0.68, 0.55). (a) total tempera-
ture distribution near impeller inlet,(b) Circumferentially aver-
aged relative flow angle at leading edge, and (c) Relative Mach
number on full blade at 90% span.
of instability of SW, RC and CS, respectively. All the three cas-
ings have nearly the same CuL distributions except vicinity of the
shroud at m/md ¼ 0.97. RC generates positive preswirl and CS
brings negative preswirl. Both preswirls increase as the flow rate
reduces. The relative Mach number distribution on the full blade
at 90% span and total temperature distribution in impeller inlet
region for m/md ¼ 0.89 are presented in Fig. 19. The impeller
blade loading of CS is higher than that of RC, the total tempera-
ture of CS is higher than that of RC.
Figure 20 shows relative flow angles at 95% span of the leading
edge at several flow rates. Each flow rate corresponds to the flow
rate of onset of compressor instability for SW, RC and CS at
Mu ¼ 1.40 and 1.62. As the peripheral Mach number increases
from 1.40 to 1.62, the relative flow angle of onset of compressor
instability for each casing decreases, i.e., incidence angle at onset
of compressor instability decreases as the compressor speed
increases. The relative flow angle at onset of compressor
SEPTEMBER 2012, Vol. 134 / 051036-7
 Fig. 17 Circumferentially averaged streamlines near
shroud:SW (m/md 5 0.81, Mu 5 1.40) RC (m/md 5 0.68,
Mu 5 1.40) and CS (m/md 5 0.55 at Mu 5 1.40)

Fig. 19 Relative Mach number and total temperature at

Mu 5 1.62 (m/md 5 0.89). (a) relative Mach number on full blade
at 90% span and (b) total temperature distribution near impeller
inlet.

Fig. 18 Circumferentially averaged circumferential velocity

distribution of leading edge at Mu=1.62

instability of RC at Mu ¼ 1.62 is almost the same as that at

Mu ¼ 1.40. The decrement of the relative flow angle of CS is much
larger compared to RC and SW. Figure 21 shows the circumferen-
tially averaged streamline of CS near the shroud. Operating point is
m/md ¼ 0.75, onset of compressor instability at Mu ¼ 1.62. Separa-
tion cannot be found at the impeller inlet region. This streamline
suggests that the cause of onset of compressor instability of CS at
Mu ¼ 1.62 differs from that at Mu ¼ 1.40.
CFD results show CS delivers negative preswirl and it increases
the work transfer from the impeller to fluid. The increment of the
work transfer will increase the negative slope on the pressure ratio
characteristics, and hence contribute to stability of the compres-
sor. CFD results also shows the bleed slot removes the separation
which occurs upstream of the bleed slot, and avoids the extension Fig. 20 Relative flow angle at onset of instability
of the separation.
reduces the relative Mach number, while negative preswirl
5 Increase or Decrease of Relative Mach Number increases it. Figure 22 shows the relative Mach number contours
The presence of the preswirl has an impact on the relative of 90% span of RC and CS at Mu ¼ 1.40. The flow rate of each
Mach number at the impeller leading edge. Positive preswirl contour is 0.68 which corresponds to onset of compressor

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 Fig. 21 Circumferentially averaged streamlines near shroud
Fig. 22 Relative Mach number contours at Mu 5 1.40.(a) RC
m/md 5 0.68 and (b) CS m/md 5 0.68
instability of RC. Each contour differs in the magnitude of the rel-
ative Mach number. The magnitude of the relative Mach number
affects shock behaviors.
Figure 23 shows the relative Mach number and entropy con-
tours of RC and CS at 90% span. Operating condition is
m/md ¼ 0.89 at Mu ¼ 1.62, i.e., onset of compressor instability of
RC. The static pressure contour is superimposed onto the entropy
contour by white lines. Enlarged view of the relative Mach num-
ber contours superimposed onto the relative velocity contours and
vectors is also shown. The static pressure contour is plotted to
identify the position of shock. The relative velocity is plotted to
check the flow behind the shock. The number on the relative
Mach number contour shows the value of the Mach number of the
line which the dot points to. The relative Mach number at the
impeller inlet region of CS is higher than that of RC. The shock of
CS is located further downstream compared to that of RC. In case
of RC, the stagnation and reverse flow exist behind the shock. The
contours for RC and CS show the expansion of low velocity and
high entropy region after the shock. These regions of RC are wider
than those of CS. The occurrence of the stagnation and reverse flow
and extension of the low energy region after the shock will be a pri-
mary cause of onset of compressor instability of RC.
The appearance of the above low energy area closely relates to
the interaction between the shock and tip leakage vortex. It also
affects onset of compressor instability. The effect of the interac-
tion between the shock and tip leakage vortex on flow fields in the
impeller was therefore examined.
Figure 24 shows the schematic flow fields in and near tip clear-
ance. The tip leakage flow enters the passage, which consists of
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Fig. 23 Relative Mach number and entropy contours at
m/md 5 0.89 and Mu 5 1.62. (a) relative Mach number (left: RC,
right: CS) and (b) entropy distribution (left: RC, right: CS).
two adjoining full blades, perpendicular to the suction surface.
The incoming flow converges with the tip leakage flow and
deflects it. Because the tip leakage flow and the incoming flow are
at different flow angles, a discontinuity in fluid properties exists.
This discontinuity in fluid properties rolls up into the core of tip
leakage vortex [17]. Since the negative axial velocity region is
considered as the area the tip leakage flow is fed into, the area of
the tip leakage vortex locates the boundary between positive and
negative axial velocity region. Figure 24 also shows axial vorticity
contours of SW at 0.86H from hub. H is the height of the full
blade (see Fig. 4). Operating point is m/md ¼ 0.97 at Mu ¼ 1.62.
Static pressure contours and a contour line of axial velocity of 0
are superimposed with black lines. Since the core of the axial vor-
ticity is located adjacent to the negative axial velocity region,
investigating both the axial vorticity and negative axial velocity
region is helpful to understand the behavior of the tip leakage
vortex.
SEPTEMBER 2012, Vol. 134 / 051036-9
 Fig. 24 Axial component of vorticity at 0.86H
Figure 25 shows axial velocity contours of SW and RC at 98%
span along with the axial vorticity contours at 97% span. Static
pressure contours are superimposed on these contours to identify
shock positions. Operating point is m/md ¼ 0.97 at Mu ¼ 1.62, cor-
responding to onset of compressor instability of SW. As the nega-
tive axial velocity is located at a larger span location than the
axial voticity according to Fig. 24, the axial velocity at 98% span
and axial vorticity at 97% were selected. It is confirmed that the
pattern of the negative axial velocity contour is similar to that of
axial vorticity. In case of SW, the negative axial velocity region
interacts with the shock and expands after the shock. The strength
of the axial vorticity increases at the shock position. These are
caused by a discontinuity in fluid properties of the shock. The
shock decelerates the flow rapidly. Then the vorticity is generated
and diffuses downstream of the impeller. In case of RC, the nega-
tive axial velocity region disappears before the shock because the
bleed slot removes the fluid near the casing. The expansion of the
negative axial velocity region and increase of the strength of axial
vorticity after the shock is much smaller than those of SW. The
impact of the interaction between the shock and tip leakage vortex
on the flow fields is suppressed by the suction of the bleed slot.
Figure 26 shows axial velocity contours of RC and CS at 98%
span along with the axial vorticity contours at 97% span. Static
pressure contours are superimposed on the axial velocity contours
with white lines to compare the position of shock. Operating point
is m/md ¼ 0.89 at Mu ¼ 1.62, corresponding to onset of compres-
sor instability of RC. In case of RC, since the negative axial veloc-
ity region interacts with the shock before the bleed slot, it
interacts with the shock without suction of the bleed slot. The neg-
ative axial velocity region extends after the shock as in the case of
SW at m/md ¼ 0.97. The axial vorticity increases at the shock
position. The presence of a pressure gradient along the vortex axis
increases the vortex core area and promotes the existence of the
stagnation or reverse flow [18]. The stagnation and reverse flow of
RC shown in Fig. 23 is caused by the interaction of the shock with
the tip leakage vortex accordingly. In case of CS, the shock is
located further downstream compared to the shock position of
RC. The negative axial velocity region disappears before the
shock as well as before the bleed slot. This is caused by the flow
around the negative axial velocity region which is accelerated
between the leading edge and shock position. The negative axial
velocity region is energized by the exchange of its low momentum
with the high velocity region around the negative axial velocity
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Fig. 25 Axial velocity at 98% span and axial vorticity at 97%
span (m/md 5 0.97 and Mu 5 1.62). (a) Axial velocity (SW), (b)
axial vorticity (SW), (c) Axial velocity (RC), and (d) axial vorticity
(RC).
region. In other words, the core of tip leakage vortex is energized
by a mixing process between low momentum core and the higher
momentum outer parts of the vortex and also with the main flow
before the shock. Because the tip leakage flow of CS has more ki-
netic energy than that of RC, the negative axial velocity region
behind the shock of CS is narrower than that of RC. This is also
the reason why the stagnation and reverse flow region does not
appear behind the shock at 90% span as shown in Fig. 23. CS
increases the relative Mach number at the impeller inlet and
moves the shock position downstream. Shifting the shock position
downstream increases the distance which can be used for energiz-
ing the vortex core. Increasing the relative Mach number at the
impeller inlet provides the flow around the vortex core with ki-
netic energy which also can be used for energizing the vortex
core. CS can delay and weaken the interaction of the shock with
the tip leakage flow.
Figure 27 shows axial velocity contour of CS at 98% span along
with the axial vorticity contour of CS at 97% span. Static pressure
contours are superimposed on the axial velocity contours. Operat-
ing point is m/md ¼ 0.75 at Mu ¼ 1.62, corresponding to onset of
compressor instability of CS. The shock moves further upstream
compared to m/md ¼ 0.89. The negative axial velocity region
remains in front of the shock unlike at m/md ¼ 0.89. The negative
velocity region interacts with the shock and it expands and
extends after the shock. The strength of axial vorticity rises
sharply at the shock position.
Transactions of the ASME
 Fig. 27 Axial velocity at 98% span and axial vorticity at 97%
span (m/md 5 0.75 and Mu 5 1.62). (a) Axial velocity (CS) and (b)
axial vorticity (CS).

Fig. 26 Axial velocity at 98% span and axial vorticity at 97%

span (m/md 5 0.89 and Mu 5 1.62). (a) Axial velocity (RC), (b) axial
vorticity (RC), (c) Axial velocity (CS), and (d) axial vorticity (CS).
Fig. 28 Relative Mach number at m/md 5 0.75 and Mu 5 1.62

Figure 28 shows the relative Mach number contour at 90% span

of CS. Enlarged view of the relative Mach number contours super-
imposed onto the relative velocity contours and vectors is also
shown. Operating point is m/md ¼ 0.75 at Mu ¼ 1.62.The stagna-
tion and reverse flow appear behind the shock. Since the region
where the stagnation and reverse flow occurs is nearly identical to
the region where the strength of the axial vorticity increases, the
interaction of the shock with the tip leakage vortex is confirmed to
be a primary cause of the stagnation and reverse flow.
Figure 29 shows the relative Mach number contour at 90% span
of CS. Enlarged view of the relative Mach number contour super-
imposed onto the relative velocity contour and vectors is also
shown. Operating point is m/md ¼ 0.55 at Mu ¼ 1.40. It corre-
sponds to onset of compressor instability at Mu ¼ 1.40. Figure 30
shows casing limiting streamlines for m/md ¼ 0.55 at Mu ¼ 1.40
and m/md ¼ 0.75 at Mu ¼ 1.62. In case of m/md ¼ 0.55 at
Mu ¼ 1.40, separation on the casing can be found at the impeller
inlet region, inside of the white circle and arrows show direction Fig. 29 Relative Mach number at m/md 5 0.55 and Mu 5 1.40
of flow. The flow field at onset of compressor instability of
Mu ¼ 1.40 includes the stagnation and reverse flow behind the subsonic flow behind the shock. The flow in the suction side
shock along with the separation on the casing. expands by expansion wave and velocity increases again to super-
In case of CS, negative preswirl results in the increase of sonic value. Even though separation occurs near the leading edge,
impeller-inlet incidence angle. However no clear separation on the flow outside of the zone of separation is accelerated to super-
the blade near the impeller leading edge can be found in the rela- sonic by the expansion wave. The acceleration will inhibit the
tive Mach number contours so far. The detached shock produces appearance of a clear separation region.

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 Greek Symbols
a¼ ratio of recirculation flow rate to mass flow rate
bb ¼ impeller blade angle (from radial direction) [deg]
b1b ¼ impeller blade angle at inlet (from radial direction) [deg]
b2b ¼ impeller back-sweep (from radial direction) [deg]
/¼ flow coefficient (See Definition of Nondimensional Param-
eters) or Cmi/UM
c¼ specific heat ratio
g¼ adiabatic efficiency
l¼ inlet work coefficient
p¼ total to total pressure ratio of compressor stage
pi ¼ total to total pressure ratio at impeller exit
q¼ density [kg/m3]

Fig. 30 Limiting streamline of CS m/md 5 0.55 at Mu 5 1.40

m/md 5 0.75 at Mu=1.62 Subscripts
B¼ bleed slot section (Fig. 10)
L¼ impeller leading edge (Fig. 10)
M¼ reference position at each section
6 Conclusions U¼ upstream slot section (Fig. 10)
Numerical investigations were performed to examine the role 1¼ compressor inlet (Fig. 10)
of the new recirculation device designed to provide the recircula- 2¼ impeller exit
tion flow with negative preswirl in the enhancement of operational ref ¼reference value (Definition of Nondimensional Parameters)
range of a centrifugal compressor with pressure ratio 5.7. Q
/ ¼ flow coefficient
The effect of negative preswirl produced by the new recircula- ð2R2 Þ2 U2 
c1
tion device on the compressor characteristics and the flow field is CpT1 p c  1
investigated by comparison with the conventional recirculation w ¼ pressure coefficient U2 2
device. Negative preswirl generated by the new recirculation de-
CpðT2  T1 Þ
vice increases work transfer from the impeller to fluid. The work l0 ¼ work coefficient U2 2
coefficient, which represents the work transfer from the impeller
to fluid, increases as the flow rate reduces. The work coefficient References
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[6] Marconcini, M., Rubechini, F., and Arnone, A., 2006, “Numerical Investigation
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b2 ¼ impeller exit blade height [m] [9] Hunziker, R., Dickmann H.-P., and Emmrich, R., 2001, “Numerical and Exper-
b3 ¼ diffuser height [m] imental Investigation of a Centrifugal Compressor with an Inducer Casing
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[11] Fisher, F. B., 1988, “Application of Map Width Enhancement Devices to Tur-
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