Numerical Investigations of Inlet Recirculation in a Turbocharger Centrifugal Compressor

Tariq Ullah (), Krzysztof Sobczak, Grzegorz Liskiewicz and Mariusz Mucha
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Tariq Ullah: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Turbomachinery, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
Krzysztof Sobczak: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Turbomachinery, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
Grzegorz Liskiewicz: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Turbomachinery, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
Mariusz Mucha: BorgWarner, Jasionka 950, Building B, 36-002 Rzeszow, Poland

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-19

Abstract: Turbocharged internal combustion engines offer efficient power-to-weight ratios, aiding in fuel-saving efforts within the automotive industry. However, when the flow is low, compressors show various instabilities, i.e., stall and inlet recirculation, which have a negative influence on their performance. This paper uses transient numerical simulations to explore the inlet recirculation phenomenon in a turbocharger compressor. The Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes equations and k-ω SST turbulence model were solved using ANSYS CFX. The numerical model was verified using the experimental data for the design speed line. Analysis of mesh independence was performed to assess the discretization uncertainty near the design and surge line points. The results indicate that the inlet recirculation appears for moderate flows lower than design conditions. It shows significant radial and streamwise growth as the flow decreases. The reversed flow area increases more intensely in the radial direction at medium mass flow rates, whereas the streamwise growth is more substantial at low mass flow rates. The reversed flow reached 27% of the total inlet area at the point on the surge line. It was accompanied by a 15.7% drop in efficiency between the points with weak and strong inlet recirculation. The presented research indicates significant changes in the size of the inlet recirculation zone in the circumferential direction. It reaches its highest intensity close to the angular position of the volute tongue.

Keywords: inlet recirculation; centrifugal compressor; numerical analysis; CFD (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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