Measurements are processed on a centrifugal pump model, which works with air and performs with the vane-island type diffuser of a real hydraulic pump, under five flow rates to investigate the internal flow characteristics and their influence on overall pump performance. The mean flow characteristics inside the diffuser are determined by using a miniature three-hole probe connected to an online data acquisition system. The flow structure at the inlet section of the diffuser is analyzed in detail, with a focus on the local pressure loss inside the vaneless gap and incidence angle distributions along the hub-to-shroud direction of the diffuser. Some existing calculations, including leakage effects, are used to evaluate the pressure recovery downstream of the impeller. Furthermore, particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurement results are obtained to help analyze the flow characteristics inside the vane-island diffuser. Each PIV measuring plane is related to one particular diffuser blade-to-blade channel and is analyzed by using the time-averaged method according to seven different relative positions of the impeller. Measurement results show that main loss is produced inside the vaneless part of the diffuser at low flow rates, which might have been caused by the strong rotor–stator interaction. When the impeller flow rate is greater than the diffuser design flow rate, a large fluctuating separated region occurs after the throat of the diffuser on the pressure side. Mean loss originates from the unsteady pressure downstream of the diffuser throat. For better characterization of the separations observed in previous experimental studies, complementary unsteady static pressure measurement campaigns have been conducted on the diffuser blade wall. The unsteadiness revealed by these measurements, as well as theirs effects on the diffuser performance, was then studied.

Rotating stall in a vaneless diffuser of radial flow pump is studied. The measurements consist of: (i) unsteady pressure measurements delivered by two microphones; and (ii) nine steady pressure taps mounted in one radial line to measure the pressure recovery in the vaneless diffuser. Spectrum analysis was used to identify and characterize rotating stall. An assumption was made to estimate the losses in the vaneless diffuser to evaluate the effect of the instability development on its performance. The result has shown that the arising of rotating stall has a positive effect on the diffuser performance. Two possible reasons are proposed: (1) a blockage in the diffuser due to the unstable cells which shortens the streamlines and decreased the friction losses along the vaneless diffuser; (2) the topology of rotating stall cells results in the convection of fluid coming from outside part of the pump model to the vaneless diffuser.

Cross-flow fans are widely used in numerous applications such as low-pressure ventilation, household appliances, laser instruments, and air-conditioning equipment. Cross-flow fans have superior characteristics, including simple structure, small size, stable airflow, high dynamic pressure coefficient, and low noise. In the present study, numerical simulation and experimental research were carried out to study the unique secondary flow and eccentric vortex flow characteristics of the internal flow field in multi-operating conditions. To this end the vorticity and the circumferential pressure distribution in the air duct are obtained based on the performed experiments and the correlation between spectral characteristics of multiple operating conditions and the inflow state is established. The obtained results show that when the area of the airflow passage decreases while the area of the eccentric vortex area gradually increases, then the airflow of the cross-flow fan decreases, the outlet expands, and the flow pattern uniformity reduces. It was found that wakes form in the vicinity of the blade and the tail of the volute tongue, which generate pressure pulsation, and aerodynamic noise. The pressure distribution along the inner circumference shows that the total minimum pressure appears in the eccentric vortex near the volute tongue and the volute returns near the zone. Moreover, it was found that the total pressure near the eccentric vortex is significantly smaller than that of the main flow zone. As the flow rate decreases, the pressure pulsation amplitude of the eccentric vortex region significantly increases, while the static and total pressure pulsation amplitudes are gradually increased. Close to the eccentric vortex on the inner side of the blade in the volute tongue area, total pressure is low, total pressure on the outside of the blade is not affected, and pressure difference between the inner and outer sides is large. When the flow rate of the cross-flow fan is 0.4 Q_d, there is no obvious peak at the harmonic frequency of the blade passage frequency. This shows that the aerodynamic noise is caused by the main unstable flow.