Pressure recovery and loss coefcient variations in the two different

centrifugal blower volute designs

Beena D. Baloni
a,
, S.A. Channiwala
a
, V.K. Mayavanshi
b
a
Department of Mechanical Engineering, SVNIT Surat, India
b
Department of Mechanical Engineering, MSU -Vadodara, India
a r t i c l e i n f o
Article history:
Received 8 July 2010
Received in revised form 28 January 2011
Accepted 12 February 2011
Available online 5 March 2011
Keywords:
Turbomachine
Volute casing
Backward curved blade impeller
Three-dimensional probe
Full throttle
a b s t r a c t
An experimental study was conducted using two different designs of volute casing of a centrifugal blower
with backward blade shrouded impeller. The volute casing designs were based on the principle of con-
stant angular momentum and constant mean velocity. For both design of volute the ow elds were
studied at various angular, radial and axial locations in the volutes. The experiments were conducted
with full throttle open condition at inlet. Analysis was done with the help of three-dimensional probe,
which gave ow parameters such as stagnation pressure, static pressure and ow directions. Based on
the experimental data, analyzed results were presented for the pressure recovery coefcient and loss
coefcient.
2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
1. Introduction
To improve the design of any Turbomachine, a better under-
standing of the ow of such machine is required. This paper deals
with an experimental study of the ow, for the different designs of
volute of a centrifugal blower. The volute casing with width larger
than the impeller exit width is widely used without a diffuser in
the centrifugal blower. The blower of this type is used to provide
forced draft to boiler and general industry due to their simple
structure, small size and low production cost. In this type of
blower, an impeller forces the gas from the impeller and leads it
away at a high pressure. Before the gas leaves the stator i.e. volute,
its kinetic energy is reduced and partially converted into pressure
by diffusing action. The stator takes no part in the head generation
hence consequently all theoretical consideration in casing design
deals with losses. But the casing plays an important part in locating
best efciency point by virtue of its hydraulic losses and its ability
to restrict the ow against the given head without incurring signif-
icant losses.
The total ow of the impeller discharge passes through the vo-
lute throat area and only a part of the impeller capacity passes
through any other section. There were ve geometrical parameters
in volute design. The most important parameter was the volute
throat area [6]. If the volute throat area is too small in comparison
with the optimum value, the peak efciency will decrease slightly
and move towards a lower capacity [15]. If volute area is too large,
the peak efciency may increase but will move towards a higher
capacity, efciency at partial capacity will be lower in this case
[15]. The volute exit to inlet area ratio has a signicant effect on
the diffusion and losses into the volute ow processes [2]. A volute
with width exceeding the impeller width is more efcient than a
volute having an equal width [15,17]. To avoid shock and separa-
tion loss at the volute tongue, the volute angle a
v
is made to corre-
spond to the direction of the absolute velocity vector at the
impeller discharge ow angle. At higher specic speeds, besides
the volute angle, the length and shape of the tongue become more
important [4,15,16] Removal of a portion of the tongue reduces the
efciency from 85% to 81% while restoring the tongue to the origi-
nal shape the efciency can be brought back to 85% [15]. Depend-
ing upon casing, the tongue may be sharp or blunt but it must be
along the streamline [16].
The design objective is to achieve a uniform ow at volute inlet.
This is usually attained at the design ow rate only; at off design
conditions the volute is either too small or too large and a pressure
distortion develops circumferentially around the volute passage.
The pressure distortions reduce the stage performance and have
a direct impact on diffuser and impeller ow stability. The stable
operating range of the compressor is also decreased [1]. The pres-
sure distribution in any cross section is mostly determined by the
vertical nature of the ow. The strong vortex ow induces a
centrifugal effect, which results in an increasing pressure gradient
towards radially outward direction [3].
0306-2619/$ - see front matter 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2011.02.016

Corresponding and presenting author. Tel.: +91 261 2201994.

E-mail address: pbr@med.svnit.ac.in (B.D. Baloni).
Applied Energy 90 (2012) 335343
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
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The outline of this paper is as follows. First, the experimental
set-up and instrumentation is described, followed by details of
two different designs of volute casing. Finally results of both the
casing, based on analysis of experimental data at various angular,
radial and axial locations is discussed for the pressure recovery
coefcient and loss coefcient. Also the ow condition around
the impeller is analyzed at immediate exit.
2. Experimental set-up and instrumentation
Fig. 1 shows existing blower experimental set-up. The single
stage blower has backward straight blade type impeller with
shroud, having decreasing width from inlet to outlet. The details
of impeller data are provided in Table 1. To rotate the impeller,
the motor of 5.5 KW (7.5 HP) at speed of 2900 r.p.m. was used.
The volute casing, stator of blower was design based on two dif-
ferent approaches namely constant angular momentum and
constant mean velocity. To visualize the probe in the casing, it
was made of acrylic 8 mm thick sheet and FRP on the side of casing.
To analyze the pressure, tapping were made at azimuth angle from
0 to 360 at an interval of 30 as shown in Fig. 2.
Five-hole probe was used for three-dimensional ow survey,
which was calibrated in a suction subsonic wind tunnel having
working section of 50 cm 60 cm. It was calibrated for zero set-
ting, dynamic pressure and pitch angle. Probe tubes were con-
nected to the multi tube inclined manometer having water as
uid for measurement of pressure. Flow eld was measured at four
angular positions at 180, 240, 300 and 360. At each angular
location ve radial positions were selected for the purpose of ow
survey along each axial distance. A traversing mechanism was de-
signed to provide movement to the probe in all three-directions
along with simultaneous yawing in ow passage as shown in
Fig. 3. Probe traversing device controlled the position of the probe
radially and circumferentially with the help of vertical lead screw
with machining nut and a guided rod assembly. The axial and
yaw movement of the probe is controlled by probe holder with
the help of threaded rod with lock nut and disk as shown in Fig. 4.
3. Design aspects of volute casing
Many researches had gone into more and more systematic de-
sign of centrifugal blower. Different authors have suggested differ-
ent procedure although each has a slightly different method of
calculation. The volute design process is often subject to many con-
straints such as maximum casing size, location of piping to which
the volute connect, avoiding necessary auxiliary equipment etc.,
often limit the designers option [7]. Usually design methods for
volutes are based either on the assumption of constant angular
momentum [12] or on the assumption of constant mean velocity
[14]. Osborne [11], Church [8], Aungier [7], and Yahya [17] among
others have incorporated the detail design of one-dimensional
volute.
3.1. Constant angular momentum design
In this design concept the angular momentum of the ow is
considered constant through out the volute casing. It is also known
as Free vortex design. The ow for a free vortex design follows
the equation,
r V
u
constant 1
In this design, if the ow through volute is incompressible, and
volute has constant width then the direction of streamline remains
constant [17].
3.2. Constant mean velocity design
The volute is designed on the basis of constant mean velocity
through out the volute. Constant mean velocity V
m
can be obtained
by multiplication of volute velocity distribution factor (Rc
3
) with
actual absolute velocity at impeller exit (V
0
2
).
Rc
3
V
0
2
V
m
constant 2
To obtain high efciency, it is necessary to maintain constant
velocity of the uid in the volute passage at design point [17]. This
would give uniform static pressure distribution around the
impeller.
For both the design concepts, main parameters of volute casing
are shown in Table 2.
Nomenclature
C
p
pressure recovery coefcient
P local static pressure, mm of water
P
ave
average static pressure within the Volute, mm of water
P
o
local stagnation pressure, mm of water
P
oav
average stagnation pressure within the volute, mm of
water
r radius, mm
Rc
3
velocity distribution factor
V
m
mean velocity of ow within Volute, m/s
V
0
2
actual absolute velocity at Impeller exit, degree
V
u
tangential velocity of ow within volute, m/s
W load coefcient
a
v
volute angle, degree
Fig. 1. Experimental set-up of Blower unit.
Table 1
Data specication of impeller.
Inlet Outlet
Diameter (cm) 30 42.5 Number of Blade 12
Blade width (cm) 17.5 13 Blade thickness (cm) 0.5
Blade angle, b (deg.) 20 48
336 B.D. Baloni et al. / Applied Energy 90 (2012) 335343
Analysis of ow at different angular, radial and axial positions
in both volute casing is revealed that maximum 15% variations oc-
cur with the average value of r V
u
in constant angular momen-
tum concept whereas in constant mean velocity concept,
analyzed value of mean velocity was found 26.789 m/s instead of
design mean velocity 26.7387 m/s.
4. Experimental results and discussion
The ow parameters analysis was carried out after measure-
ment of stagnation pressure, static pressure, Flow velocity and ow
directions at 180, 240, 300 and 360 through out the radial dis-
tance at various axial positions. Also from suction to exit i.e. A 7
(Fig. 2) for the holes near impeller. For presentation of the ow
conditions, the angular locations at 180, 240, 300 and 360 were
designated as Sections 1, 3, 5 and 7 respectively. The radial loca-
tions were non-dimensionalised by the radial width at a given sec-
tion. They were expressed in terms of percentages i.e. from 0 to
100. The ow was surveyed at ve radial positions at each section.
The axial distance were non-dimensionalised by the impeller
width at exit and expressed in terms of percentages, 0% being on
hub side, 100% being on tip (shroud) side, 23% to 0% represents
overhung portion on hub side and 100188% represents overhung
portion on shroud side. Thus the ow elds were presented in
terms of sections, non-dimensional radial and non-dimensional ax-
ial distances.
The average values of stagnation pressure, static pressure and
velocity were determined based on area average at different angu-
lar positions for the holes near the impeller as shown in Fig. 57.
The plot of average stagnation pressure reveals that the ow
delivered by the impeller is of higher stagnation pressure on exit
side compared to near tongue. The variation is almost nil towards
exit of the volute casing (210360). But two designs produce ow
with different stagnation pressure. Volute designed with constant
angular momentum principle delivered ow with higher stagna-
tion pressure which leads to higher head.
Motor
Fig. 2. Line diagram of existing set-up.
Fig. 3. Probe traversing mechanism.
Fig. 4. Probe holder.
Table 2
Main parameters of volute casings.
Parameters Constant angular
momentum
Constant mean
velocity
Volute base circle diameter (cm) 46.75 46.75
Volute exit diameter (cm) 100.57 125.26
Volute width (cm) 26 26
Throat length (cm) 26.91 39.26
Volute tongue angle (deg) 15 21.84
Tongue radius (cm) 24.35 25.51
B.D. Baloni et al. / Applied Energy 90 (2012) 335343 337
120
140
160
180
200
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360
Angular position (Degree)
S
t
a
g
n
a
t
i
o
n

P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e
(
m
m

o
f

w
a
t
e
r
)
Volute based on "constant angular momentum" Volute Based on "Constant Velocity Method"
Fig. 5. Variations of average stagnation pressure of ow at the exit of impeller at various angular positions.
20
24
28
32
36
40
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360 390
Angular position (degree)
V
e
l
o
c
i
t
y

(
m
/
s
)
Volute basde on "Constant Angular momentum" method
Volute based on "Constant mean velocity" method
Fig. 6. Variations of average velocity of ow at the exit of impeller at various angular positions.
Average static pressure of flow at exit of impeller
at various angular positions.
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360 390
angular positions (degree)
s
t
a
t
i
c

p
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

(
m
m

o
f

w
a
t
e
r
)
Volute based on "Constant angular momentum" method
Volute based on "Constant mean velocity" method
Fig. 7. Variations of average static pressure of ow, at the exit of impeller at various angular positions.
338 B.D. Baloni et al. / Applied Energy 90 (2012) 335343
The ow conditions delivered by impeller with both designs
of volute were also compared by plotting average values of
velocity and static pressure (Figs. 6 and 7). With both the de-
signs, ow delivered by impeller near tongue region (30150)
is to be of higher velocity and lower static pressure. The velocity
decreases and static pressure increases as ow moves from
tongue to exit section of the volute (towards 360), this justies
the theory of one-dimensional isentropic ow with variable area.
Like stagnation pressure, the values of average static pressure
and velocity were lower with volute casing designed with
constant mean velocity principle. Thus the analysis shows that
design of volute inuences the ow conditions delivered by the
impeller.
The rise in pressure on account of conversion of kinetic energy
into enthalpy is expressed in the forms of pressure recovery coef-
cient (C
p
) dened as,
C
p
P P
ave
=P
oav
P
ave
3
While loss is expressed as loss coefcient (W) and dened as,
W P
oav
P
o
=P
oav
P
ave
4
where (P
oav
P
ave
) is equal to the dynamic head and also expressed
as qV
2
. Since the values of stagnation pressure and static pressure
vary along axial & angular positions of volutes, their average values
were obtained by area average technique at various angular
positions. These average values at angular positions were used to
Variations in Pressure recovery coefficient along Radial
Distance at starting of Impeller
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
% Radial Distance
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

R
e
c
o
v
e
r
y

c
o
e
f
f
i
c
i
e
n
t
(
C
p
)
Variations of Pressure recovery coefficient along Radial
Distance at mid of the Impeller
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
% Radial Distance
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

r
e
c
o
v
e
r
y

c
o
e
f
f
i
c
i
e
n
t

(
C
p
)
Variation of Pressure recovery coefficient along Radial
Distance at end of the Impeller Width
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
% Radial Distance
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

R
e
c
o
v
e
r
y

C
o
e
f
f
i
c
i
e
n
t
(
C
p
)
Section 1 Section 3 Section 5 Section 7
Fig. 8. Pressure recovery coefcient variations near Impeller width of volute designed on constant angular momentum concept.
B.D. Baloni et al. / Applied Energy 90 (2012) 335343 339
determine average value for the whole impeller. P
o
and P were the
local values at a particular location of volute.
The values of pressure recovery coefcient were calculated
throughout the volute casings. Figs. 8 and 9 represent the varia-
tions in pressure recovery coefcient at starting, middle and end
of Impeller width for different angular positions. It is observed that
for both the design concept the pressure recovery coefcient is
lowest at Section 1 and highest at Section 7. This shows that as
we move from suction to exit the value of local static pressure in-
creases due to conversion of kinetic energy into pressure energy.
Which indicates that according to [9,10,13,14] casings serves its
function well. Also as we move radially outward the C
p
value in-
creases at all angular positions except at Sections 3 and 5 in case
of Constant angular momentum design concept. At Sections 1
and 3 value of C
p
comes negative at hole near impeller, which
shows that the ow is delivered by the impeller at lower static
pressure than the average static pressure of the volute. It also indi-
cates a pressure drop from impeller outlet to the volute.
The pressure recovery coefcient variations were also pre-
sented for both design concepts in the form of contours made by
Matlab software in Figs. 10 and 11. As we move from suction to
exit of the volute i.e. from Sections 1 to 7, regions covered by high
Variation of Pressure recovery along radial distance
at starting of Impeller
-0.80
-0.60
-0.40
-0.20
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
% Radial Distance
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

r
e
c
o
v
e
r
y

c
o
e
f
f
i
c
i
e
n
t

(
C
p
)
Variations in Pressure recovery coefficient along radial
distance at mid of the impelller width
-0.80
-0.60
-0.40
-0.20
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
% Radial Distance
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

r
e
c
o
v
e
r
y

c
o
e
f
f
i
c
i
e
n
t

(
C
p
)
Variations in Pressure recovery coefficient along radial
diatance at end of the impeller
-0.80
-0.60
-0.40
-0.20
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
% Radial Distance
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

r
e
c
o
v
e
r
y

c
o
e
f
f
i
c
i
e
n
t

(
C
p
)
Section 1 Section 3 Section 5 Section 7
Fig. 9. Pressure recovery coefcient variations near Impeller width of volute designed on constant mean velocity concept.
340 B.D. Baloni et al. / Applied Energy 90 (2012) 335343
value of C
p
, increases at radially outward position from about 10%
to 60% of radial distance in case of the constant angular momen-
tum design concept. And following the same about 3080% of ra-
dial distance in case of the constant mean velocity design
concept. These results indicate that as we move from suction to
exit of volute the conversion of kinetic energy into pressure energy
takes place. In case of volute designed by constant angular
momentum, it is observed that near impeller region the value of
Fig. 10. Pressure recovery coefcient variations in volute designed on constant
angular momentum concept.
Fig. 11. Pressure recovery coefcient variations in volute designed on constant
mean velocity concept.
B.D. Baloni et al. / Applied Energy 90 (2012) 335343 341
C
p
came negative. For another designed volute these regions are
limited up to near hub portion of the impeller region. As we move
from suction to exit these regions of negative C
p
value decreases.
Compared to other, high pressure recovery regions are more in
case of constant mean velocity designed volute. The gradients
are also less in case of constant mean velocity designed volute
which shows better uniformity of the ow compared to constant
angular momentum designed volute [17].
The variations of Loss coefcient for both the designed volute
casings were represented in the form of contours made by Matlab
software in Figs. 12 and 13. It is clear from the gures that com-
pared to other regions of volute casings the losses are more near
Fig. 12. Loss coefcient variations in volute designed on constant angular
momentum concept.
Fig. 13. Loss coefcient variations in volute designed on constant mean velocity
concept.
342 B.D. Baloni et al. / Applied Energy 90 (2012) 335343
the tip region of the impeller. While near the hub region of the
impeller and in Section 1 at overhung portion of casing wall side
the values of loss coefcient came negative because, the loss coef-
cient compares the local stagnation pressure loss to average inlet
stagnation pressure. The local pressure depends upon the stagna-
tion pressure on the same streamline at the impeller exit [3].
Due to the circumferential pressure distortion at the volute off-
design operation, stagnation pressure delivered by impeller was
higher than the average stagnation pressure. As we move from suc-
tion to exit of the volute casings, the higher value of colour bar is
decreased from 1 to 0.3, which indicates value of loss coefcient
decreased towards the exit of volute. In volute designed based on
constant mean velocity, the gradients were less compared to
other design concept. It indicates that ow was more uniform in
this volute casing then the constant angular momentum de-
signed volute [17]. The results justify the known fact that volute
geometry affects the ow delivered by the impeller [5].
5. Conclusions
An experimental analysis has been undertaken to elucidate the
effect of volute casing designs on the ow from the impeller of a
centrifugal blower. The pressure recovery coefcient as well as loss
coefcient variations in the casing were investigated. The follow-
ing conclusions deduced from the experimental results are:
(1) The ow within the volute casing based on constant mean
velocity design concept gives better ow conditions than
that based on the constant angular momentum. The gradi-
ent of both the owparameters were less in case of constant
mean velocity design, suggests more ow uniformity com-
pared to constant angular momentum design concept.
(2) Variation in the pressure recovery is larger up to 50% of
radial distance from the impeller towards radially outward
direction.
(3) Value of loss coefcient was decreased as ow move from
suction to exit of volute.
Acknowledgement
The experimental work presented in this paper has been carried
out at Faculty of Technology & Engineering, The Maharaja Sayajirao
University. All support from faculties and the staff members is
gratefully acknowledged.
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