Multiple channel diffuser

Abstract

A multiple channel diffuser (MCD) having a plurality of radial inlets in an annular configuration, a tangential outlet, a single discharge passage, and a plurality of separate passages extending from the plurality of radial inlets and toward the outlet. The plurality of separate passages are fluidly isolated from each other at their upstream ends, and become merged at one or more merge locations upstream of the single discharge passage. Thus, a flow of fluid entering the plurality of radial inlets is initially separated within the plurality of separate passages, becomes merged within the single discharge passage, and then flows collectively out of the MCD through the outlet. Both mixing losses and viscous losses are reduced.

1 . A multiple channel diffuser comprising:
 an annular arrangement of a plurality of inlets;   a tangential outlet; and   a plurality of separate passages extending from the plurality of inlets and toward the outlet,   the plurality of separate passages being fluidly isolated from each other at an upstream end and merging at one or more merge locations upstream of the outlet, each of the plurality of separate passages having an increased flow area from a corresponding one of the plurality of inlets toward a corresponding one of the one or more merge locations.   
     
     
         2 . The multiple channel diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of separate passages are configured as a plurality of axial rows with each row having a plurality of diffuser channels. 
     
     
         3 . The multiple channel diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of inlets are radial inlets. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The multiple channel diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet has a square shaped cross section or a circular shaped cross section. 
     
     
         6 . The multiple channel diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of separate passages has one of a rectilinear, hexagonal, and elliptical cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         7 . A multiple channel diffuser comprising:
 an annular arrangement of a plurality of inlets;   a tangential outlet; and   a plurality of separate passages extending from the plurality of inlets and toward the outlet,
 each of the plurality of separate passages having an upstream end and a downstream end, the upstream end of each of the plurality of separate passages being at a corresponding one of the plurality of inlets, 
 each of the plurality of separate passages having an increasing flow area from the upstream end to the downstream end, 
 the plurality of separate passages being fluidly isolated from each other at the upstream end and merging at one or more merge locations at the downstream end and at a location upstream of the outlet. 
   
     
     
         8 . The multiple channel diffuser of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of separate passages are configured as a plurality of rows with each row having a plurality of diffuser channels. 
     
     
         9 . The multiple channel diffuser of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more merge locations includes an upstream merge location and a downstream merge location. 
     
     
         10 . The multiple channel diffuser of  claim 9 , further comprising a single discharge passage, the single discharge passage being between the downstream merge location and the outlet. 
     
     
         11 . The multiple channel diffuser of  claim 10 , wherein at least two of the plurality of separate passages merge at the upstream merge location and at least two other of the plurality of separate passages merge at the downstream merge location. 
     
     
         12 . The multiple channel diffuser of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of separate passages has one of a rectilinear, hexagonal, and elliptical cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         13 . The multiple channel diffuser of  claim 7 , wherein the multiple channel diffuser defines an aperture, the aperture being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of a pump impeller therein. 
     
     
         14 . The multiple channel diffuser of  claim 13 , wherein the annular arrangement of the plurality of inlets extends around the aperture. 
     
     
         15 . The multiple channel diffuser of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of separate passages extend around the aperture. 
     
     
         16 . The multiple channel diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more merge locations at which the plurality of separate passages merge lie along a parallel axis with an adjacent passage.