Impact of Slots on the Aerodynamic Performance of the Variable Inlet Guide Vane Cascade of a Centrifugal Compressor

This study reconstruct ed the flow field of a symmetrical variable inlet guide vane in a centrifugal compressor thr ough the passive control method of vane slots. Based on the high fidelity numerical simulation model verified by experiments, the influence of different slot forms on the flow field was investigated, and the passive control mechanism was revealed . The results demonstrate d that the vane slot method can effectively suppress the suction surface separation and broaden the range of low loss incidence angles. Overall, the 50 _30 slotted vane achieve s the best flow field control, with a 65.6 % reduction in the total pressure loss coefficient and a 2.3 reduction in the deviation angle, respectively, at a 25 ° incidence angle. The linear characteristics of the pre swirl grade variation curve with variable inlet guide vane incidence angles are also improved. Furthermore , changing the slot outlet angle has the most significant influence on the aerodynamic perfor mance a s it changes the throat width of the location, thereby affecting the flow rate and momentum of the jet. Finally, the impact of the velocity varies in the first self similarity region on the slotted vane. The results indicate that, in contrast to the baseline vane, the suppression effect of the slot jet on the flow separation improves with the inlet velocity, whereas the deviation angle of the slotted vane declines with the inlet velocity . Meanwhile, the higher the incoming flow velocity, the better t he slotted jet can inhibit ion of flow separation.