Enhancement of Performance by Blade Optimization in Two-Stage Ring Blower

This paper describes the shape optimization of an impeller used for two-stage high pressure ring blower.Two shape variables,which are used to define an impeller shape,are introduced to increase the blower performance.The pressure of a blower is selected as an object function,and the blade optimization is performed by a response surface method.Three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations are introduced to analyze the internal flow of the blower and to find the value of object function for the training data.Relatively good agreement between experimental measurements and numerical simulation is obtained in the present study.Throughout the shape optimization,it is found that a hub height is effective to increase pressure in the ring blower.The pressure rise for the optimal two-stage ring blower is successfully increased up to 1.86% compared with that of reference at the design flow rate.Local recirculation flow having low velocity is formed in both sides of the impeller outlet by different flow direction of the inlet and outlet of the impeller.Detailed flow field inside the ring blower is also analyzed and discussed.