Efficient mapping of centrifugal compressor performance: leveraging response surface methodology for rapid stage characterization

This study aims to generate performance map and surge line of a centrifugal compressor stage by manipulating two key variables: Inlet Guide Vanes (IGV) angle and Velocity. In order to generate a full and comprehensive map of a stage including inlet/IGV/impeller/diffusers/volute some weeks of computational time are needed. To expedite the process, a Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is employed to construct the stage map, starting from a reduced number of significant points fully simulated trough CFD analysis. In this way a first guess of the stage map is obtained, identifying at the same time the surge line position.
Then an appropriate RSM (Response Surface Models) method is selected and trained over those DOE configurations. Final step is to allow the RSM to predict the full map using an optimization algorithm: this task is completed in seconds. After that, judgment is to be used to validate obtained map and, if needed, full CFD analyses of interest point/areas could be run or additional points added.