The present study deals with a low pressure-ratio centrifugal compressor consisting of two counter-rotating rotors called a Counter-Rotating Centrifugal Compressor (CRCC). The design method based on the loss model was presented to determine the geometric parameters of the two counter-rotating rotors. According to this method, the rotor of a selected Single Rotor Centrifugal Compressor (SRCC) has been redesigned into two counter-rotating rotors (upstream and downstream rotors) by choosing the value of meridional Length Ratio (LR). The meridional view, the volute shape, and the operating parameters of SRCC are preserved during the design process. In the first step, the counter-rotating mode at a constant rotor speed of 11k rpm has been carried out. The overall characteristics of CRCC are compared to those of SRCC. In the second step, the map-characteristic of CRCC is established for seven speed ratios. The results show that CRCC increases up to 4,6% for the pressure ratio and 3.5% for the efficiency compared to SRCC at the same tip-speed. In addition, CRCC can operate at a lower tip-speed by about 2k rpm to produce the same characteristics as SRCC, with better efficiency over a wide range of flow rates. However, the surge margin of the CRCC is shifted to higher flow rates. This disadvantage of the CRCC was solved by choosing the adequate pair of the rotational speeds of the two rotors that will be presented in other publication.

In many industries, reducing the size of the compression system represents a significant goal for designers. In fact, increasing the power density of the compressor actually means lowering production costs. The chief purpose of this study is to compare, in terms of aerodynamic performances, a centrifugal compressor consisting of an impeller and a volute, to an innovative concept based on the principle of two successive impellers and designed to work in counter-rotation. To simplify the experimental research in this study, the volute of the conventional compressor is maintained for the new design. The conventional impeller has been replaced by two successive impellers having the same meridian profile, and whose diameter of the rear impeller is identical to that of the conventional impeller. The impellers design of the counter-rotation stage was carried out granting to an approach proposed here. The numerical results underline the advantage of the innovative compressor, in terms of power density, compared to the conventional design. The numerical forecasts also agree significantly with the results of experimental tests got on a test bench exclusively designed for compressors. Experimental optimization of the rotational speed ratio of the two counter-rotating impellers has demonstrated the possibility of increasing the compression ratio and efficiency over a wide range of flow.