Net radial loading arising from asymmetric pressure fields in the volutes of centrifugal pumps during off-design operation is well known and has been studied extensively. In order to achieve a marked improvement in overall efficiency in centrifugal gas compressors, vaneless volute diffusers are matched to specific impellers to yield improved performance over a wide application envelope. As observed in centrifugal pumps, nonuniform pressure distributions that develop during operation above and below the design flow create static radial loads on the rotor. In order to characterize these radial forces, a novel experimental measurement and post-processing techniquesis employed that yields both the magnitude and direction of the load by measuring the shaft centerline locus in the tilt-pad bearings. The method is applicable to any turbomachinery operating on fluid film radial bearings equipped with proximity probes. The forces are found to be a maximum near surge and increase with higher pressures and speeds. The results are nondimensionalized, allowing the radial loading for different operating conditions to be predicted.
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April 1998
Research Papers
Aerodynamically Induced Radial Forces in a Centrifugal Gas Compressor: Part 1—Experimental Measurement
J. J. Moore,
J. J. Moore
Solar Turbines Inc., San Diego, CA 92123
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M. B. Flathers
M. B. Flathers
Solar Turbines Inc., San Diego, CA 92123
Search for other works by this author on:
J. J. Moore
Solar Turbines Inc., San Diego, CA 92123
M. B. Flathers
Solar Turbines Inc., San Diego, CA 92123
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. Apr 1998, 120(2): 383-390 (8 pages)
Published Online: April 1, 1998
Article history
Received:
February 1, 1996
Online:
November 19, 2007
Connected Content
A companion article has been published:
Aerodynamically Induced Radial Forces in a Centrifugal Gas Compressor: Part 2—Computational Investigation
Citation
Moore, J. J., and Flathers, M. B. (April 1, 1998). "Aerodynamically Induced Radial Forces in a Centrifugal Gas Compressor: Part 1—Experimental Measurement." ASME. J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. April 1998; 120(2): 383–390. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2818134
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