| This work describes a computer based impeller design system that integrates geometry with aerodynamic analysis. The system is capable of analyzing the impeller performance using a two-dimensional flow theory. Detailed viscous aerodynamic analysis can follow using Computational Fluid Dynamics, (CFD).; Currently, the most widely practiced method of designing impellers has been to use very simple, one-dimensional inviscid flow techniques. While this is a convenient and straightforward design methodology, the flow within impellers is by no means one-dimensional. Using this One-D technique, which goes from One-Dimensional to Three-Dimensional, has significant error which has to be corrected empirically and by trial. Also, the total analysis cost for this method includes (1) geometry setup time, (2) analysis time, and (3) time iterating on geometry and analysis until an acceptable design is achieved. This has led to the search for an improved and efficient design tool preceding the CFD analysis. This is the contribution of this thesis.; A two-dimensional FORTRAN code was developed using a quasi-orthogonal method to generate the grid of any arbitrary impeller geometry by constructing streamlines from inlet to outlet and quasi-orthogonal stations to the streamlines from hub to shroud to obtain the relative velocity gradient along them. The code uses a systematic iterative method until a suitable output is converged. This developed program as a design tool contains less error and requires much less time and effort to interact with the CFD code. It is also simple and understood easily.; It is believed that the program developed will increase design process efficiency by reducing analysis time and error. |
