Centrifugal compressor head characteristics analysis summary

Test results of the centrifugal compressor stage are analyzed. It is confirmed that in the coordinates “loading factor - flow rate coefficient” the head characteristic is linear and does not depend on the impeller Mach number. The characteristics of this stage and the design characteristics of the series of 10 model stages in the flow coefficient range 0.15-0.015 are compared with the calculation of an inviscid flow and with calculations by the NUMECA program in two ways. The calculated head performances are significantly different. Studies aimed at improving the reliability of CFD-calculations should be continued.