A Fast Design and Performance Prediction Methodology and Tool for Centrifugal Compressors of Aircraft Environmental Control Systems ^†

Within the framework of European Union-funded Clean Aviation and TheMa4HERA (Thermal Management for the Hybrid Electric Regional Aircraft) projects, a preliminary performance prediction and design tool for centrifugal compressors has been developed, targeting the turbomachinery components used in environmental control systems (ECS) in short/medium-range types of aircraft. This tool is an integral part of the objective to establish a complete optimization methodology for the performance assessment and sizing of air generation systems for next-generation aircraft. The methodology is based on mean-line analysis for the impeller, vaneless and vaned (including variable-vaned) diffusers, and volute, with a two-zone approach for the flow analysis in the vaned diffuser passage. The results of the model are validated against experimental data related to two different open-source compressor designs with both diffuser types. It is concluded from these cases that, for the purpose of the design tool, the model provides accurate results for the impeller and both diffuser types. Extreme conditions such as stall and choke remain difficult to accurately predict due to the complex three-dimensional nature of these phenomena. Future developments of the tool will include modeling capabilities for radial turbines and heat exchangers.