Flow past circular cylinders with stepwise discontinuities in diameter was investigated experimentally and numerically for the diameter ratio D/d = 2 and three Reynolds numbers, Re = 150, 300, and 1050. The investigation was focused on the vortex shedding phenomena occurring in the wake of the cylinders. In the first series of experimental and numerical studies, the flow development past a single step cylinder was investigated. The single step cylinder model is comprised of a small diameter cylinder (d) attached coaxially to a large diameter cylinder (D). The results show that three distinct spanwise vortex cells form in the step cylinder wake: a single vortex shedding cell in the wake of the small cylinder (the S-cell) and two vortex shedding cells in the wake of the large cylinder, one in the region downstream of the step (the N-cell) and the other away from the step (the L-cell). Due to the differences in vortex shedding frequencies between the three cells, complex vortex connections occur in two vortex-interaction regions located between the adjacent cells. The region at the boundary between the S-cell and the N-cell is relatively narrow and its spanwise extent does not fluctuate significantly. In this region, vortex dislocations manifested as half-loop connections between two S-cell vortices of opposite sign. In contrast, the region at the boundary between the N-cell and the L-cell exhibits a transient behavior, with large scale vortex dislocations causing cyclic variation in the extent of N-cell vortices. For Re = 300 and 1050, small scale streamwise vortices forming in the wake complicate the vortex dynamics within the adjacent S-cell and L-cell. There is no significant Reynolds number effect on the average spanwise extent of the vortex cells and the two transition regions between neighboring cells. Finally, formation of N-cell vortices is linked to downwash fluctuations near the step. The flow development past a dual step cylinder was studied experimentally for Re = 1050. The dual step cylinder model is comprised of a small diameter cylinder (d) and a large diameter cylinder (D) mounted at the mid-span of the small cylinder. The experiments were completed for a range of large cylinder aspect ratios 0.2 ≤ L/D ≤ 17. The flow development is highly dependent on the aspect ratio of the large cylinder, L/D. The results identify four distinct flow regimes: (i) for L/D = 17, three vortex shedding cells form in the wake of the large cylinder, one central cell and two cells of lower frequency extending over about 4.5D from the large cylinder ends, (ii) for 7 < L/D ≤ 14, a single vortex shedding cell forms in the wake of the large cylinder, whose shedding frequency decreases with decreasing L/D, (iii) for 2 ≤ L/D ≤ 7, vortex shedding in the wake of the large cylinder is highly three-dimensional, with vortices deforming in the near wake, (iv) for 0.2 ≤ L/D ≤ 1, only small cylinder vortices are shed in the wake and can form vortex connections across the wake of the large cylinder.

Unconfined multiple interacting confluent round jets are interesting from a purely scientific point of view, as interaction between neighboring jets brings additional complexity to the flow field. Unconfined confluent round jets also exist in various engineering applications, such as ventilation supply devices, sewage disposal systems, combustion burners, chemical mixing or chimney stacks. Even so, little scientific attention has been paid to unconfined confluent round jets. The present work uses both advanced measurement techniques and computational models to provide deeper understanding of the turbulent flow field development of unconfined confluent round jets. Both Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA) and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) have been used to measure mean velocity and turbulence properties within two setups, consisting of a single row of 1×6 jets and a square array of 6×6 confluent jets. Simulations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) of the 6×6 setup were conducted using three different Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) turbulence models: the standard k-ε, the RNG k-ε and the Reynolds Stress model (RSM). The results from the CFD simulations were compared with experimental data. The employed RANS turbulence models were all capable of accurately predicting mean velocities and turbulent properties in the investigated confluent jet array. In general the RSM and k-ε std. models provided smaller deviations between numerical and experimental results than the RNG k-ε model. In terms of mean velocity the second-order closure model (RSM) was not found to be superior to the less complex standard k-ε model. The validated CFD model was employed in a parametrical investigation, including five independent variables: inlet velocity, nozzle diameter, nozzle edge-to-edge spacing, nozzle height and the number of jets in the array. The parametrical investigations made use of statistical methods in the form of response surface methodology. The derived response surface models provided information on the principal influence and relative importance of the investigated parameters within the investigated design space. The positions of the jets within the array strongly influence both mean velocity and turbulence. In all investigated setups the jets experience merging and combining. Square arrays also include considerable jet convergence, which was not present in the 1×6 jet array. Due to the jet convergence in square arrays the turbulent flow field, especially for jets far away from the array center, is affected by mean flow curvature. Jets located along the sides of square jet arrays experience strong jet-to-jet interactions that result in considerable jet deformation, shorter potential core, higher turbulent kinetic energy and faster velocity decay compared to other jets. Jets located at the corners of the array do not interact as strongly with neighboring jets as do the jets along the sides. The locations of merging and combined points differ considerably between different jets and different jet configurations. As the jets combine a zone with uniform stream-wise velocity and low turbulence intensity forms in the center of square jet arrays. This zone has been called Confluent Core Zone (CCZ) due to its similarities with the potential core zone of a single jet. Within the CCZ the appropriate scaling length changes from nozzle diameter to the effective source diameter. The parametrical investigation showed that nozzle diameter and edge-to-edge nozzle spacing were the most important of the investigated parameters, reflecting a strong dependence on dimensionless jet spacing, S/d0. Higher S/d0 delays both merging and combining of the jets and leads to a CCZ with lower velocity and longer downstream extension. Increasing the array size leads to a reduced combined point distance, a stronger inwards displacement of jets in the outer part of the array, and reduced entrainment near the nozzles. A higher inlet velocity was found to increase the jet convergence in the investigated square confluent jet arrays. Nozzle height generally has minor impact on the investigated response variables.

[pt] O presente trabalho consiste no projeto, construção e qualificação de um aparato para o estudo experimental de bolhas de separação laminar sobre uma placa plana. A previsão do comportamento das bolhas de separação é importante para o projeto de aeronaves, turbinas e geradores eólicos, pois o desprendimento dessas bolhas tem grande impacto na performance de aerofólios. A dinâmica das bolhas não é bem compreendida, além de ser difícil de ser capturada por simulações numéricas que utilizam modelagem da turbulência. Por isso, ensaios experimentais são muito utilizados para a calibração dos modelos utilizados em simulações de engenharia. Neste trabalho, foram criados equipamentos para simular experimentalmente bolhas de separação laminar sobre uma placa plana. Os dispositivos foram projetados para o canal de água do Laboratório de Engenharia de Fluidos da PUC-Rio. O gradiente de pressão necessário para induzir a separação da camada limite e consequente formação da bolha foi ajustado com uma parede falsa, de modo a criar um canal convergente-divergente com a placa plana. Foi projetado um mecanismo de sucção da camada limite na parede falsa para evitar a separação do escoamento nessa superfície. A localização e as vazões de cada ponto de sução foram determinadas com o auxílio de simulações numéricas. Também foi projetado e testado um sistema de sopro e sucção para a excitação de ondas de instabilidade do tipo Tollmien-Schlichting na camada limite da placa plana. O funcionamento de cada dispositivo foi avaliado através da medição da velocidade do escoamento. Para isso, foram empregadas técnicas de medição por velocimetría laser doppler e velocimetría por imagem de partículas. Os resultados obtidos validam o projeto e qualificam o aparato para o estudo de bolhas de separação laminar. / [en] The present work involves the design, construction and performance test of an apparatus for the investigation of laminar separation bubbles in a flat plate boundary layer. Laminar separation bubbles are relevant for many engineering applications and the dynamic of such bubbles has a strong impact on the performance of aircrafts and turbines. The separated boundary layer reattaches to the surface due to the laminar-turbulent transition in the bubble region. This dynamic process is highly challenging for flow simulation tools used for engineering purposes. Thus, there is a demand for experimental studies that can be used for calibration of models present in those simulation tools. To this end, an apparatus was designed and built for the water channel of the Laboratory of Fluid Engineering at PUC-Rio. The boundary layer separation on the flat plate was induced by imposing a constant adverse pressure gradient to the flow. To this end a false wall was built, in order to form a converging-diverging channel with the flat plate. Flow separation on the false wall was avoided using a suction mechanism that was designed to reduce locally the boundary layer thickness. Location of suction and suction flow rates were determined with aid of numerical simulations. In addition, it was designed and built a disturbance source to generate Tollmien-Schlichting waves in the boundary layer of the flat plate. This device was used to trigger the boundary layer transition in a controlled manner. All equipment were tested and their designs were validated against experimental measurements. Laser Doppler anemometry and Particle Image Velocimetry techniques were adopted for assessment of each equipment. Results validate the design and show that separation bubbles can be investigated in detail using this apparatus.

La propagation d'une onde acoustique en guide est associée, pour de forts niveaux, à un certain nombre de phénomènes de l'acoustique non linéaire. Parmi ces phénomènes, les écoulements redressés (ou vent acoustique), l'effet d'une discontinuité et la transition à la turbulence, à l'étude dans ce mémoire, sont associés à la génération d'écoulements induits. L'étude expérimentale de ces phénomènes repose sur l'adaptation des méthodes de vélocimétrie Laser : Vélocimétrie Laser par effet Doppler (VLD) et Vélocimétrie par Images de Particules (PIV) à la mesure des différents écoulements. Ainsi, des mesures PIV en sortie de convergent, viennent compléter des mesures VLD réalisées antérieurement. Dans l'espoir de mieux appréhender les spécificités de la transition à la turbulence en guide d'onde acoustique, l'évolution de la couche limite de Stokes est étudiée pour des amplitudes de vitesse acoustique croissantes. Une étude expérimentale des écoulements redressés dans un guide d'onde à section carrée est proposée et les spécificités liées à cette géométrie sont recherchées. En outre, l'évolution des tourbillons du vent acoustique en guide d'onde cylindrique est analysée lorsque le vent devient rapide et certains facteurs pouvant être à l'origine de cette évolution sont modifiés. La répartition harmonique dans le guide est ainsi modifiée, puis l'influence des conditions thermiques est abordée en couplant les mesures de vitesses à des mesures de température moyenne dans le guide et en paroi. Une comparaison avec des résultats issus de simulations numériques permet de conforter l'évolution des écoulements redressés observée. / High amplitude acoustic propagation in a guide is associated with several non linear phenomena including acoustic streaming, discontinuity effects and transition to turbulence. Those phenomena are studied in this work and are all associated with acoustically induced flows. The present experimental study therefore is based on velocimetry laser techniques: Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), wich are fitted to the measurement of the different flow velocity components. Firstly, PIV measurements at the exit of a convergent enable to complement previous LDV measurements. Then, in order to a better understanding of the specificity of transition to turbulence in acoustics, the evolution of the Stokes boundary layer is studied for increasing acoustic velocity amplitudes. Then an experimental study of acoustic streaming in a square channel is reported, and the influence of the geometry is examined. Moreover, the evolution of acoustic streaming vortices in a cylindrical waveguide is analyzed for fast streaming and some parameters that could control such evolution are modified. The harmonicdistribution inside the guide is changed and then the influence of thermal conditions is studied by coupling velocity measurements and mean temperature measurements inside the waveguide and along the wall. Some comparisons between measured streaming velocities and numerical simulation results are presented.

The production from an oil reservoir is a mixture of liquids (oil and water) and gas, and is often maintained by using a pump placed in the well to ensure a continuous flow to the surface. Electrical Submersible Pumps consist of stacked centrifugal pump stages, each comprising a bladed impeller (rotating part) and diffuser (stationary part). In multiphase conditions, the gas tends to accumulate in the impeller, severely reducing the pressure produced by the pump. Radial-flow pumps operate in a plane perpendicular to their rotation axis, while mixed-flow pumps are characterised by a lower meridional angle (generally 40 to 80 degrees), and are generally better at handling gas-liquid mixtures. We first describe the impact of gas on the whole pumping system, from the reservoir to the storage facility, and give context to the subject. The available literature shows that the size of the gas bubbles present in the fluid is critical to the pump performance. A transparent, full-scale pump was built in order to explore the flow features in single and multiphase flows. Laser Doppler Velocimetry and high speed imaging in single phase flow showed a high turbulence level in the wake of the impeller blades, and recirculation cells at low flow rates. In gas-liquid conditions, we demonstrated that the bubble size varies within a pump stage, as break-up occurs at the impeller tip, and coalescence is dominant in the diffuser, especially because of recirculation. The first impeller acted as a mixer, and at moderate to high gas fractions (10 to 30%), the flow patterns at the stage level alternated between bubbly and radially separated flows. Finally, a dispersed-gas model was developed to predict the pressure rise in a mixed-flow pump impeller under gas-liquid conditions. This model based on the forces acting on a single spherical gas bubble, was implemented with a simplified, parametric representation of the flow field in a mixed-flow impeller. In the meridional direction, the Coriolis force opposes the centrifugal force and the adverse pressure gradient. Both forces tend to retain the gas bubble within the impeller. The relative magnitude of the drag force strongly depends on the maximal bubble diameter, which was determined as a function of the flow conditions and used to calculate the gas velocity through the impeller. This method resulted in a better agreement with the experimental data than a one-dimensional two-fluid model where the gas phase follows the same path as the liquid. We used the dispersed-gas model to give quantitative evidence that low blade and meridional angles reduce the gas accumulation and the associated performance degradation.

[pt] O presente trabalho é um estudo experimental das características de um escoamento de ar em forma de jato espiralado, incidindo ortogonalmente sobre uma placa. Os objetivos do estudo são: avaliar a influência da presença de uma componente circunferencial de velocidade na distribuição dos coeficientes locais de troca de calor, obter campos de velocidade instantâneos no plano axissimétrico assim como informações sobre as características da turbulência no escoamento. Durante os experimentos se investigou a influência da distância jato/placa e da intensidade do escoamento espiralado (número de Swirl). Como etapa preliminar, foi conduzido um experimento de jato livre, para validação das técnicas de medição de velocidade utilizadas. Os resultados foram comparados com os da literartura e uma boa concordância foi obtida. A distribuição espacial dos coeficientes de troca de calor foi avaliada impondo-se um fluxo de calor constante na placa e medindo a distribuição radial de temperatura através de diversos termopares. Coeficientes locais puderam então ser estimados. Os campos de velocidades radial e axial instantâneos foram adquiridos experimentalmente através da utilização da técnica de Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) e perfis de velocidade tangencial (média e flutuações) foram obtidos a partir da técnica Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV). Os resultados mostraram que os padrões de escoamento mudam significativamente quando a componente circunferencial de velocidade é introduzida. Para o valor mais alto do Número de Swirl foram verificadas fortes reversões do escoamento na região de estagnação. / [en] The present work is an experimental study of the characteristics of a swirling impinging air jet. The goals of the study are: to evaluate the influence of the presence of a circumferential velocity component in the distribution of the local heat transfer coefficients, to obtain instantaneous velocity fields in the axisymmetric plane, as well as information about the turbulence characteristics in the flow. During the experiments, the influence of the impingement distance and swirl intensity were investigated. As a preliminary validation of the velocity measurement tecniques, an experimental investigation of an axisymmetric free jet was conducted. The results were compared with literature showing good agreement. The spatial distribution of heat transfer coefficients was evaluated by imposing a constant heat flux condition to the plate and measuring temperature of several points along the radial distance of the plate with thermocouples. Local coefficients could then be estimated. Instantaneous axial and radial velocity fields were obtained with Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and tangential velocity profiles (mean and fluctuations) obtained by using Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV). The results showed that the flow patterns change significantly when the tangential component is added. For the highest value of Swirl number, strong recirculation zones were observed in the stagnation region.

L’effet du vol d’avancement sur le bruit de choc de jets supersoniques sous-détendus est étudié de manière expérimentale. La structure de tels jets est d’abord explorée, avec et sans vol simulé. L’analyse employée allie des visualisations strioscopiques à des mesures quantitatives de pression statique et de vitesse, par vélocimétrie laser Doppler et vélocimétrie par images de particules. L’accent est mis sur l’étude de l’écoulement moyen et des propriétés de la turbulence dans la couche de mélange. L’effet du vol sur la composante tonale du bruit de choc, le screech, est ensuite examiné. A l’aide d’une antenne azimutale de microphones placée dans le champ proche acoustique, une analyse fine des modes du screech est notamment proposée. Par ailleurs, plusieurs effets de cette composante de bruit sur la dynamique du jet sont mis en évidence, en particulier l’oscillation des chocs ; on montre que cette oscillation est intimement liée au mode du screech. De manière à étudier spécifiquement la composante large bande du bruit de choc, diverses techniques de suppression du screech sont ensuite explorées.L’utilisation d’une tuyère crénelée s’est révélée satisfaisante pour l’éliminer de manière non-intrusive et a permis de déduire son influence sur le bruit de choc large bande. Enfin, l’effet du vol sur cette dernière composante est déterminé par l’étude de l’évolution de sa fréquence centrale, de son amplitude et de sa forme spectrale en situation de vol simulé. Une explication des tendances observées est alors proposée à la lumière des résultats aérodynamiques obtenus. / The flight effects on the shock-associated noise components of underexpanded supersonic jets are experimentally studied. To begin with, the jet structure is investigated, with and without simulated flight. To that end, Schlieren visualizations are combined with quantitative measurements of static pressure and velocity, by laser Doppler velocimetry and particle image velocimetry. The investigation focuses on the mean flow and on the properties of the mixing layer turbulence. Then, the effects of flight on the tonal component of shock-associated noise, the so-called screech, are studied. By means of a near field, azimuthal microphone antenna, a detailed analysis of its modal behaviour is proposed. Furthermore, several effects of screech on the jet dynamics are highlighted, like the shock oscillations. It is shown that these oscillations are closely connected to the screech mode. In order to study specifically the broadband component of shock-associated noise, several screech suppression techniques are considered. It is found that a notched nozzle is successful in non-intrusively suppressing it. This device is then used to deduce the screech influence on the broadband shock-associated noise.Finally, some effects of flight on the latter component are pinpointed through the study of the evolutionof its amplitude, peak frequency and spectral shape under flight conditions. The observed tendencies are explained in light of the aerodynamic results obtained.

De nos jours, l’énergie délivrée par la combustion dépasse 80% de l‟énergie totale dans le monde, et ce pourcentage restera probablement élevé le long des 100 prochaines années. La plupart des systèmes réactifs qui génèrent la combustion turbulente sont utilisés dans la fabrication, le transport et l‟industrie pour la génération des puissances. Comme résultat, l‟émission des polluants est parmi les problèmes majeurs qui sont devenus des facteurs critiques dans notre société. Dans ce cadre, une étude détaillée des systèmes réactifs est alors nécessaire pour la conception de systèmes de haute performance qui s‟adaptent aux technologies modernes. L'optimisation des performances de ces systèmes énergétiques permet d‟une part d‟économiser l'énergie et d‟autre part de réduire la pollution. Les jets turbulents sont impliqués dans l'efficacité de ces divers systèmes. Dans le cas isotherme, la complexité des écoulements turbulents résulte principalement de la coexistence des structures de tailles très différentes et de l‟interaction non linéaire entre ces structures. Les plus grandes structures dépendent fortement de la géométrie du domaine considéré, elles sont donc anisotropes. De plus, elles ont une grande durée de vie et elles sont responsables du transport de la quasi-totalité de l'énergie. Les plus petites structures, quant à elles, ont souvent un caractère beaucoup plus "universel" (dû à leur comportement relativement isotrope) et sont à l'origine du processus de dissipation visqueuse. Prédire numériquement la dispersion et le mélange d‟un scalaire non réactif dans un écoulement turbulent est considéré comme un problème primordial et reste toujours actuel. Plusieurs recherches sont attachés à ce sujet afin d‟approfondir de plus à la connaissance de différents phénomènes pour pouvoir les mieux prédire. La prédiction numérique du mélange turbulent existant dans plusieurs applications industrielles et environnementales, a un important intérêt en génie chimique. Il est nécessaire donc de bien comprendre la majorité de propriétés du mélange et de l‟écoulement. En combustion, la complication du comportement des jets résulte de l‟interaction entre le dégagement de la chaleur, les processus de mélange, l'entraînement et la recirculation des gaz. Pour bien comprendre la complexité de ce phénomène, il est nécessaire de connaître parfaitement l'évolution dynamique et scalaire des jets turbulents isothermes en présence d'importantes différences de densité, comme elles peuvent lors de la combustion. Cette optimisation passe par la compréhension de l'effet de la variation des conditions d'entrée sur les processus de mélange dans le cas non réactif et sur la stabilité et la nature de la flamme dans le cas réactif. Ainsi, des études théoriques, expérimentales et numériques, doivent être menées en parallèle pour mieux identifier les effets d'une telle intervention. Bien des questions demeurent ouvertes dans le but de mieux caractériser les différents écoulements turbulents réactifs. Les objectifs des études menées dans ce domaine sont la réduction des émissions de polluants et l‟amélioration du rendement de combustion. Une compréhension du mélange et leur interaction avec les différents processus chimiques traduit donc un enjeu majeur. Elle est considéré alors comme un facteur déterminant la qualité des variétés des procèdes. Ce travail de thèse se base sur les jets coaxiaux qui constituent un cas particulier de jet axisymétrique. Ils sont communément rencontrés dans des différents brûleurs industriels qui assurent le contact entre le comburant et le carburant sous une forme de jets coaxiaux. Cette technique est le siège d‟une amélioration du mélange et de la stabilité des flammes. / Résumé non fourni

This thesis deals with turbulent flows in 90 degree curved pipes of circular cross-section. The flow cases investigated experimentally are turbulent flow with and without an additional motion, swirling or pulsating, superposed on the primary flow. The aim is to investigate these complex flows in detail both in terms of statistical quantities as well as vortical structures that are apparent when curvature is present. Such a flow field can contain strong secondary flow in a plane normal to the main flow direction as well as reverse flow. The motivation of the study has mainly been the presence of highly pulsating turbulent flow through complex geometries, including sharp bends, in the gas exchange system of Internal Combustion Engines (ICE). On the other hand, the industrial relevance and importance of the other type of flows were not underestimated. The geometry used was curved pipes of different curvature ratios, mounted at the exit of straight pipe sections which constituted the inflow conditions. Two experimental set ups have been used. In the first one, fully developed turbulent flow with a well defined inflow condition was fed into the pipe bend. A swirling motion could be applied in order to study the interaction between the swirl and the secondary flow induced by the bend itself. In the second set up a highly pulsating flow (up to 40 Hz) was achieved by rotating a valve located at a short distance upstream from the measurement site. In this case engine-like conditions were examined, where the turbulent flow into the bend is non-developed and the pipe bend is sharp. In addition to flow measurements, the effect of non-ideal flow conditions on the performance of a turbocharger was investigated. Three different experimental techniques were employed to study the flow field. Time-resolved stereoscopic particle image velocimetry was used in order to visualize but also quantify the secondary motions at different downstream stations from the pipe bend while combined hot-/cold-wire anemometry was used for statistical analysis. Laser Doppler velocimetry was mainly employed for validation of the aforementioned experimental methods. The three-dimensional flow field depicting varying vortical patterns has been captured under turbulent steady, swirling and pulsating flow conditions, for parameter values for which experimental evidence has been missing in literature. / QC 20120425

<p>  </p> <p>As aviation fuel costs and consumption have continued to rise over recent decades, gas turbine engine manufacturers have sought methods to reduce fuel burn. Manufacturers plan to achieve this by reducing the specific fuel consumption of the machine by increasing the bypass ratio through a reduction of the diameter of the engine core. This presents an opportunity for implementing a centrifugal compressor as the final stage of the high-pressure compressor. The vaned diffuser in a centrifugal compressor stage maintains an integral role in determining the extents of the operating range as well as conditioning the flow for the downstream combustor. Thus, it is critical to understand the aerodynamics and performance of the vaned diffuser across the entire compressor operating range.</p> <p>This investigation focused on seven compressor operating points at the stage’s design corrected speed, which ranged from choked flow to the minimum mass flow rate before rotating stall. Steady-state and unsteady performance data were acquired to study the aerodynamics at each operating point as well as the steady-state performance of the vaned diffuser. Laser Doppler velocimetry, high-frequency pressure transducers, and additive manufacturing techniques were all implemented to acquire data in the research compressor.</p> <p>Unsteady velocity measurements were acquired in the vaneless space and were used to quantify the change in diffuser inlet incidence as the stage mass flow rate changes. The impeller exit jet and wake were compared at each operating point to understand the effect of these flow structures on the spanwise incidence profile. Steady-state performance metrics for the vaned diffuser were compared with the change in incidence to assess the effect of incidence on performance. Maximum static pressure recovery and minimum total pressure loss occurred at the maximum incidence operating point. </p> <p>The chordwise static pressure distribution is critical for health monitoring of the polymer, additive manufactured diffuser vanes. Steady-state and unsteady pressure measurements were acquired along the diffuser vane surface to assess the change in the aerodynamic lift force across the compressor operating range as well as the static pressure differential across the vane leading edge. The maximum unsteady lift on the diffuser vanes was up to 34% greater than the steady-state lift force. Unsteady static pressure differentials across the diffuser vane leading edge were similar to the steady-state values, but they were marginally greater across the entire examined operating range. These unsteady pressure measurements were acquired with high-frequency response pressure transducers installed along the diffuser vane surfaces. These transducers were also used to study the rotating stall and surge behavior of the investigated centrifugal compressor stage. This centrifugal compressor stage exhibits a spike-type rotating stall pattern at the onset of stage instability, which rapidly evolves into full flow reversal with several surge cycles. During these surge cycles, the diffuser vane leading edges are subject to a 20 psid static pressure differential. </p> <p>A computational model was used to predict the compressor flow at three different operating points. This model utilized the BSL-EARSM turbulence model, and it included surface roughness and an experimentally measured shroud thermal profile. The model accurately predicted the diffuser inlet flow angles near the shroud, but it predicted more radial flow near midspan. The diffuser vane leading edge static pressure differential was predicted within 1 psid at higher aerodynamic loading conditions. The differences between the computationally predicted and experimentally measured flow are attributed to difficulties associated with modelling the rate of mixing within the flow.</p>