Optimum design of S-shaped diffuser by studying the effect of inlet velocity, turning angle and area ratio

The present work aims at the optimum design and the optimum operating condition of a S-shaped diffuser by studying the effect of inlet velocity, turning angle and area ratio using Computational Fluid Dynamics. Fluent 17.1 software has been used for this simulation work. It is found that the static pressure recovery coefficient ( C p ) increases and the total pressure loss coefficient ( C l ) decreases as the inlet velocity increases. It is also found that cross-flow velocity becomes more prominent as turning angle increases and the magnitude of in-plane velocity increases with the increase in area ratio. It is further found that flow separation at the bottom wall increases with the increment in area ratio and decreases with the increase in turning angle. Finally, it is found that AR 4 is the optimum area ratio and 75°/75° is the optimum turning angle.