Effect of Inlet Subsonic Velocity and Area Ratio on the Pressure Recovery in Equivalent Cone Angle Annular Diffuser

CFD investigations were conducted to determine the effect of subsonic velocity at the inlet of the annular diffuser. The area ratio of diffusers was taken between 2 and 4. Analysis was carried out with inlet swirl to determine the performance as well as flow profile inside annular diffuser. The effect of subsonic inlet flow was found to be strong function of flow regime and diffuser performance. The pressure recovery was found to be sharp with increasing area ratio but it was accompanied by higher separation tendency which was further augmented with increase in swirl angle of the swirling flow.