EFFECT OF AREA RATIO ON PRESSURE RECOVERY COEFFICIENT IN PARALLEL HUB ANNULAR DIFFUSER

Abstract

A diffuser is a device for converting the kinetic energy of an incoming fluid into pressure. As the flow proceeds through the diffuser there is continuous retardation of the flow resulting in conversion of kinetic energy into pressure energy. Such a process is termed as diffusion. Diffuser forms an important part in flow machinery and structures. The present study involves the CFD analysis for the prediction of flow characteristics using various mathematical models. The parallel hub annular diffuser considered in the present case has casing diverging with an angle keeping constant as 25° and different area ratios i.e. 2,3,4. This diffuser is coded as B type diffuser. The characteristic quantities such as static pressure distribution at hub and casing walls, velocity profiles at section B with varying area ratio i.e. 2,3,4 and flow patterns have been presented .