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Effect of Geometry on the Performance of

Annular Diffuser

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International Journal of Applied Engineering Research
ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 4 Number 12 (2009) pp. 2639–2652
© Research India Publications
http://www.ripublication.com/ijaer.htm

Effect of Geometry on the Performance of Annular

Diffuser

B. B. Arora*1 and B. D. Pathak*

*Deptt. of Mech. Engg., Delhi college of Engineering, Delhi (India), 110042

1
Corresponding Author E-mail: prof_bbar@yahoo.com

Abstract

The performance of axial annular diffuser with various geometrical

configurations for same equivalent cone angle of 10º is explored with the help
of CFD. The analysis was carried out for flow regimes with various
experimentally obtained inlet velocity profiles with or without swirl. The flow
behaviour inside the annular diffuser is analyzed and pressure recovery
coefficient is computed which agrees reasonably well with the experimental
/available data.

Key words: Annular diffusers; pressure recovery coefficient; swirl

Introduction
Annular diffusers are widely used in engineering, in particular, as outlet devices of
pumps and turbines often located downstream of turbo machinery in a number of
applications. In aircraft application, annular diffusers often operate downstream of
compressors. Such diffusers handle flows having substantial amount of swirl and
unsteadiness made up of turbulence and periodic flow components introduced by the
turbo machinery. The swirling component of velocity may arise either from the
presence of inlet guide vanes or any other components preceding the diffuser such as
compressor, or from rotation of the central shaft through the diffuser. The introduction
of presence of swirl alters the flow field [1] considerably and this affects the overall
performance of a system. Swirling flows through annular diffusers have been
investigated by Klomp [3], Shrinath[4] Hoadley[7], Colodipietro et al. [8], Shaalan et al.
[9]
, Kumar [10], Lohmann et al. [11] and Sapre et al. [13], Agrawal et al.[14], Singh et al.[16,
23]
, Kochevsky[18], Mohan et al. [19], Japikse, D[20], Kochevsky, A. N[21] and Yeung
et.al [22]. These investigators found improved diffuser performance with swirl up to a
certain point after that it deteriorated. The performance of an annular diffuser apart
from swirl is dependent on a large number of geometrical and dynamical parameters.
2640 B. B. Arora and B. D. Pathak

The effectiveness of annular axial diffusers worsens with flow separation. The
separation of the flow can be suppressed or shifted from one location to another with
the help of swirl. The efforts have been made to design an annular diffuser for no flow
separation [2,5,6], however little success has been achieved.
Literature on annular diffusers reveals that earlier studies have been carried out
either with parallel hub diverging casing or with both hub and casing diverging. The
experimental/ analytical data on the pressure recovery coefficient or coefficient of
energy losses [1, 12] for a wide range of geometrical parameters and swirl intensities are
scant. Experimental studies on annular diffuser [17] require sophisticated
instrumentation and complicated time consuming procedures which is not
economically viable and thus has limited the research activity in the field of annular
diffusers [12]. The present study is therefore carried out to examine with the help of
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), the detailed flow behaviour of annular
diffusers with various geometrical configurations for same equivalent cone angle of
10º and area ratio of 2. Experimental velocity profiles were obtained with the axial
annular diffuser having hub and casing wall half angles as 0º and 4.6º respectively.
The area ratio of the experimental diffuser was 2.01, and equivalent cone angle of
10.09º. CFD analysis of the diffuser with same configuration and dynamic parameters
was carried out with different turbulence models. The model which predicted the
results closely with the experimental results was chosen for further investigations.
CFD Study has been further carried out to predict the effect of experimentally
obtained inlet velocity profiles on the geometries such as parallel hub and casing
diverging , both hub and casing diverging with equal angles, a diverging hub (half
angle = 5º).and diverging casing and converging hub and diverging casing.
Investigation were carried out to predict the effect of experimentally obtained inlet
velocity profiles with or without inlet swirl angles of 0°, 7.5°, 12°, 17°and 25° on the
performance of diffusers.

Mathematical Formulation
Flow and related phenomenon can be described by partial differentiation or integral-
differential equations, which can not be solved analytically except in special cases. To
obtain an approximate solution numerically, one needs to use discretizations method,
which approximates the differential equations by a system of algebraic equations. The
approximations are applied to small domains in space and/or time so that the
numerical solutions provide results at distant locations in space and/or time. Much of
the accuracy of the experimental data depends on the quality of tools used; the
accuracy of the numerical solutions is dependent on the quality of discretizations used
and the size and type of mesh. The mesh size and discretizations needs to be
optimized for the convergence of the results. The optimization of mesh size and the
convergence criterion for the iterative method is utmost necessary to achieve the
desired accuracy of the result without sacrificing economics of the procedure.
A numerical method is said to be convergent if the solution of the discretized
equation approaches exact solution for the grid spacing approaching zero. The
Effect of Geometry on the Performance of Annular Diffuser 2641

convergence criteria around 10-6 for various parameters involved in the present study,
the results are found to be stable.
The tool used in the present study are GAMBIT for meshing and for
computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis is FLUENT, which is a finite
element/volume analysis program for solving fluid flow and conjugate heat transfer
problems. In the pre study k- ε turbulence models such as standard, RNG and
realizable were attempted for the same geometry as used for experimental
investigation and was validated with the results obtained experimentally. The grid
independence tests were also carried for mesh sizes varying from 50000 to 500000
mesh size. It was found that the model which approached more closely to the
experimental results was 2D axisymmetric RNG, k- ε turbulence model. The same
model was used for predicting the performance of other geometries.

Turbulence Models
The turbulence models used in this study is the turbulence kinetic energy (k) and its
dissipation rate (ε) hereafter referred to as k- ε. The three k- ε models used are
standard, RNG ``renormalization group'' and realizable. The RNG-based k- ε
turbulence model [15] is derived from the instantaneous Navier-Stokes equations, using
a mathematical technique called ``renormalization group'' (RNG) methods.

Governing Equations
The governing equations for 2D axisymmetric geometries are written as follows:
Continuity equation is
∂ρ ∂ ∂ ρv
+ ( ρ v x ) + ( ρ vr ) + r = S m (1)
∂t ∂x ∂r r
Where x is the axial coordinate, r is the radial coordinate, vx is the axial velocity,
and vr is the radial velocity.
Conservation of momentum [1] in an inertial (non-accelerating) reference frame is
described by
∂ r rr r r
( ρ v ) + ∇ ⋅ ( ρ vv ) = −∇p + ∇ ⋅ (r ) + ρ g + F (2)
∂t
Where p is the static pressure, τ is the stress tensor (described below), and
r ur
ρ g and F are the gravitational body force and external body forces (e.g., that arise
from interaction with the dispersed phase), respectively.
The stress tensor τ is given by

( ) − 23 ∇ ⋅ vI ⎤⎥⎦
⎡ r rT r
τ = μ ⎢ ∇v + ∇v (3)
⎣
Where μ is the molecular viscosity, I is the unit tensor, and the second term on the
right hand side is the effect of volume dilation.
For 2 D axisymmetric geometries, the axial and radial momentum conservation
equations are given by
∂ 1 ∂ 1 ∂ ∂p 1 ∂ ⎡ ⎛ ∂vx 2 r ⎞⎤
( ρ v x) + (r ρ v xv x ) + (r ρ v r v x) = − + ⎢r μ ⎜ 2 − (∇ ⋅ v ⎟ ⎥
∂t r ∂x r ∂r ∂x r ∂x ⎣ ⎝ ∂x 3 ⎠⎦
2642 B. B. Arora and B. D. Pathak

1 ∂ ⎡ ⎛ ∂vx ∂vr ⎞⎤
+ ⎢r μ ⎜ + ⎟ ⎥ + Fx (4)
r ∂r ⎣ ⎝ ∂r ∂x ⎠⎦
and
∂ 1 ∂ ∂p 1 ∂ ⎡ ⎛ ∂vr ∂vx ⎞ ⎤
( ρ vr ) + (r ρ vr vr ) = − + ⎢r μ ⎜ + ⎟⎥
∂t r ∂x ∂r r ∂x ⎣ ⎝ ∂x ∂r ⎠ ⎦
1 ∂ ⎡ ⎛ ∂vr 2 r ⎞⎤ vr 2 μ r
+ ⎢ μ
r ∂r ⎣ ⎜⎝ ∂r 3
r 2 − ( ∇ ⋅ v ⎟⎥
⎠⎦
− 2 μ +
r2 3 r
∇ ( )
⋅ v + ρ
vz2
r2
+ Fr (5)
r ∂v ∂v v
where ∇ ⋅ v = x + r + r (6)
∂x ∂r r

The tangential momentum equation for 2D swirling flows may be written as

∂ 1 ∂ 1 ∂
( ρ vz ) + ( r ρ v x vz ) + ( r ρ v x vz )
∂t r ∂x r ∂x
1 ∂ ⎡ ∂vz ⎤ 1 ∂ ⎡ 3 ∂ ⎛ vz ⎞ ⎤ vr vz
= rμ + ⎢r μ ⎜ ⎟⎥ − ρ (7)
r ∂x ⎣⎢ ∂x ⎦⎥ r 2 ∂r ⎣ ∂r ⎝ r ⎠ ⎦ r
and vz is the swirl velocity
Figure 1shows Annular diffuser Geometrical Parameters of the half section as the
diffuser has been taken as axially symmetrical.

Figure 1: Annular Diffuser Geometrical Parameters.

The Geometric Parameters of annular diffusers on which analysis has been

performed is shown in Table 1. All models were tested for velocity distribution and
pressure recovery coefficient.
Effect of Geometry on the Performance of Annular Diffuser 2643

Table 1: Geometric Parameters for Annular Diffusers.

Inlet hub Inlet casing Inlet (Rh/Rc)

Diffuser Radius=3.8cm Radius=7.75cm =0.49
Diffuser type Name Wall Angles Exit Radius (cm) N N/Ymi
Hub Casing Hub Casing
Parallel Hub and
casing diverging A 0 2.14 3.8 10.28 31.98 8.096
Hub and casing
diverging with
equal angles B 10.24 10.24 9.58 13.52 31.98 8.096
Hub and casing
diverging with
unequal angles C 5 6.88 6.6 11.61 31.98 8.096
Hub converging
and casing
diverging D -6.78 3.23 0 9.55 31.98 8.096

Results and discussion:

Figure1 shows that the results are independent of grid size. The grid size of 105408
cells made up with spacing of 0.07 cm between two meshes is used. The same spacing
is used for the study of other diffusers. The numerical and measured values of the
static pressure coefficient (Cp) along the diffuser passage are compared in Figure2.
The Cp is described below in equation 8.
( p − pi )
Cp = (8)
1 2 ρ vi2
The values obtained from the model are in good agreement with measured values.
This suggests that Cp in an axial annular diffuser can be correctly calculated. Fig.3
illustrates that the velocity profile predicted with CFD at transverse of x/L=0.18 and
x/L=0.716 are in good agreement with the experimental results.

x/L=0.3

1.2

0.8
u/Um

0.6
156522
105408
0.4
52043
Experimental
0.2

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
y/Ym

Figure 1: Grid independence Test for 10° diffuser

2644 B. B. Arora and B. D. Pathak

Pressure Coefficient

0.8

0.6

CFD Casing
Cp

0.4
Experimental

0.2

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

-0.2
x/L

Figure 2: Validation of Pressure Coefficientat at x/L =0.3 for 10° diffuser with
Experimental[10].
Longitudinal Velocity x/L=0.18 Longitudinal Velocity x/L= 0.716

1.2 1.2
1 1
0.8 0.8
U /U m
U/Um

0.6 0.6
0.4 0.4
0.2 0.2
0 0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Y/Ym Y/Ym

CFD Experimental CFD Experimental

Figure 3: Validation of predicted CFD and Experimental [10] velocity profile.

The same turbulence model has been used to predict the performance of axial
annular diffusers with various geometries.
Figure 4 to Fig.8 indicate pressure recovery coefficient at casing wall (Cp) for inlet
swirl angles 0°, 7.5°, 12°, 17°and 25° respectively. Cp increases with the diffuser
passage in each case. The increase in Cp is sharp in the beginning; however in the
later stage of the diffuser, marginal increase in Cp goes on decreasing with the diffuser
passage. This is due to the fact that pressure recovery is achieved against the adverse
pressure gradient along the diffuser passage.
Figure 4. Indicates that the pressure recovery coefficient at casing wall (Cp) for
inlet swirl angle of 0° show that the D type diffuser has sharp increase in Cp as
compared to other types of diffuser. This is because hub wall in D type diffuser is
converging so the flow is stronger towards the casing wall than the hub wall which is
reverse in other diffusers. After x/L=0.80 of diffuser passage Cp becomes same
irrespective of diffuser type.
Effect of Geometry on the Performance of Annular Diffuser 2645

Figure 5 Indicates that the pressure recovery coefficient at casing wall (Cp) for
inlet swirl angle of 7.5°. The figure depicts the results same as that of 0° swirl,
however Cp becomes same after diffuser passage of x/L=0.84 irrespective of diffuser
type. After x/L=0.97 the recovery is not indicated in D type diffuser due to weakening
of the flow.
Figure 6 Indicates that the pressure recovery coefficient at casing wall (Cp) for
inlet swirl angle of 12°. The trends of the results are same as that of 0°and7.5°swirl;
however it is indicated that the pressure recovery up to the diffuser passage of
x/L=0.68.Recovery in the pressure is achieved in the order of A, C, B and D type
diffuser in ascending order respectively up to x/L=0.68. After this point the recovery
is almost same irrespective of diffuser type except D type diffuser. In D type diffuser
the recovery is not indicated due to weakening of the flow as the hub is converging
type.
Figure 7 Indicates that the pressure recovery coefficient at casing wall (Cp) for
inlet swirl angle of 17°. Recovery in the pressure in ascending order is achieved in the
order of A, C, B and D type diffuser respectively up to x/L=0.48 of diffuser passage.
After this point the recovery in D type diffuser deteriorates and for other diffusers due
to adverse pressure gradient the trend with smaller extent of pressure recovery
continues. For C type diffuser the pressure recovery continues till x/L=0.77 and then
it deteriorates.

Pressure Recovery coeefficient (0° Swirl) Pressure Recovery coeefficient (7.5° Swirl)

1 1

0.8 0.8

0.6 0.6
Cp

0.4
Cp

0.4
0.2 0.2
0 0
-0.2 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 -0.2 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

x/L x/L

Casing A Casing B Casing C Casing D Casing A Casing B Casing C Casing D

Figure 4: Pressure recovery Figure 5: Pressure recovery Coefficient

Coefficient(0° Swirl) (7.5°Swirl).
2646 B. B. Arora and B. D. Pathak

Pressure Recovery coefficient (12° Swirl) Pressure Recovery coefficient (17° Swirl)

1 1
0.8 0.8
0.6 0.6
Cp

Cp
0.4 0.4
0.2 0.2
0 0
-0.2 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 -0.2 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
x/L x/L

Casing A Casing B Casing C Casing D Casing A Casing B Casing C Casing D

Figure 6: Pressure recovery Coefficient Figure 7: Pressure recovery coefficient

(12° Swirl). (17° Swirl).

Figure 8 Indicates that the pressure recovery coefficient at casing wall (Cp) for
inlet swirl angle of 25°. Recovery in the pressure is achieved as discussed earlier with
the following differences. Recovery in A and B type diffuser continues in whole
diffuser passage, whereas in C and D type it is up to x/L=0.92 and x/L=0.26
respectively, beyond this point the recovery deteriorates. Recovery up to x/L=0.28 is
maximum in D type diffuser and from x/L=0.28 to x/L=0.70 it is in B type diffuser
and beyond this point it is in A type diffuser.

Pressure Recovery coefficient (25° Swirl)

1
0.8
0.6
Cp

0.4
0.2
0
-0.2 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

x/L
Casing A Casing B Casing C Casing D
Figure 8: Pressure recovery Coefficient (25° Swirl).
Effect of Geometry on the Performance of Annular Diffuser 2647

(a) Diffuser A (b) Diffuser B

(c) Diffuser C (d) Diffuser D

.
Figure 9: Velocity contours at 0° Swirl.

(a) Diffuser A (b) Diffuser B

(c) Diffuser C (d) Diffuser D

Figure 10: Velocity contours at 7.5° Swirl.
2648 B. B. Arora and B. D. Pathak

(a) Diffuser A (b) Diffuser B

(c) Diffuser C (d) Diffuser D

Figure 11: Velocity contours at 12° Swirl.

(a) Diffuser A (b) Diffuser B

(c) Diffuser C (d) Diffuser D

Figure 12: Velocity contours at 17° Swirl.
Effect of Geometry on the Performance of Annular Diffuser 2649

(a) Diffuser A (b) Diffuser B

(c) Diffuser C (d) Diffuser D

Figure 13: Velocity contours at 25° Swirl.

Conclusion
(1) Pressure recovery coefficient increases with the diffuser passage. With the
introduction of swirl the recovery is faster.
(2) Pressure recovery coefficient in D type diffuser (converging hub and
diverging casing) is at faster rate than other types of diffusers.
(3) Pressure recovery coefficient in D type diffuser decreases with the
introduction of swirl, whereas for other diffuser it increases up to certain
amount of swirl and then it decreases.
(4) CFD analysis is reasonably in good agreement with the experimental data.
(5) With the introduction of swirl the flow is pushed towards casing wall thus
making the flow stronger towards casing than hub wall.
(6) A,B and C type diffuser show recovery in pressure up to 17° of swirl and
later on it deteriorates. In case of D type diffuser the introduction of swirl has
an adverse effect so the swirling flow for such diffuser is a cause of great
concern.
(7) The best pressure recovery has been reported to have achieved in B type
diffuser (Both hub and casing diverging with equal angles).

Nomenclature
A Diffuser annular area
2650 B. B. Arora and B. D. Pathak

AR Area ratio
Cp Pressure recovery coefficient
F Force
I Unit tensor
L Diffuser length
P Static pressure
R Radius
Re Reynolds number
V Velocity in Y direction
x/L Non-dimensional axial length
y/Ym Non-dimensional radial length
θ wall divergence angle
η Diffuser effectiveness
ρ Density
μ Molecular viscosity
α Inlet Swirl angle
τ Stress tensor
ζ Diffuser loss coefficient

Suffix:
c casing
h hub
i inlet
o outlet
r radial
x axial
z tangential or swirl

References
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University Press, Cambridge, England, 1967
[2] Howard, J.H.G., Thorriton-Trurnp A.B.and Henseler, H.J, "Performance
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[3] Sovran, G and Klomp, E.D., "Experimentally Determined Optimum
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