Centrifugal compressor diffuser and method for controlling same

摘要

A centrifugal compressor (14a) having at least a diffuser (20) is disclosed. The diffuser (20) has an annular diffuser body (30) having circumferentially spaced apart diffuser passages (32) defining fluid paths through the diffuser body (30). The diffuser also has a plurality of diffusion members (40) mounted to the annular diffuser body (30). Each diffusion member (40) has a member inlet (42) in fluid communication with a diffuser passage (32) and a member outlet (44). Each diffusion member (40) defines an aerodynamic throat disposed between the member inlet (42) and the member outlet (44). The diffuser (20) also has a fluid injection assembly (50) with multiple injection conduits (54). Each injection conduit (54) extends between a conduit inlet (56) configured to receive a flow of compressible fluid from a supply (52) and a conduit outlet (58) communicating with a corresponding diffusion member (40) downstream of the aerodynamic throat. The compressible fluid is injected through the conduit outlet (58) into the diffusion members (48).