Centrifugal compressor return channel shape optimization using adjoint method

This thesis describes the construction of an automated gradient-based optimization process using the adjoint method and its application to centrifugal compressor return channel loss reduction. A proper objective function definition and a generalized geometry parametrization and manipulation algorithm were developed, and the appropriate adjoint equations and boundary conditions were derived for internal flow of an axisymmetric incompressible laminar flow. The adjoint-based gradient calculation was then validated against finite-difference calculations and embedded in a quasi- Newton optimization algorithm. An optimal design was proposed, which achieved an approximately 5% performance improvement compared to the baseline design in an incompressible laminar flow. The geometry was assessed in a compressible turbulent flow at the actual Mach number and Reynolds number and found to yield a 11% performance improvement for an axisymmetric channel with a previously optimized geometry.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Guo, Wei, S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Qiqi Wang and Edward M. Greitzer.

• Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/85801

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/85801