scholarly journals Boundary Layer and Navier-Stokes Analysis of a NASA Controlled-Diffusion Compressor Blade

1990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. K. Ho ◽  
G. J. Walker ◽  
P. Stow
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulence Modeling ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Adverse Pressure Gradient ◽  
Compressor Blade ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Controlled Diffusion ◽  
Pressure Distributions

Performance calculations for a NASA controlled-diffusion compressor blade have been carried out with a coupled inviscid-boundary layer code and a time-marching Navier-Stokes solver. Comparisons with experimental test data highlight and explain the strengths and limitations of both these computational methods. The boundary layer code gives good results at and near design conditions. Loss predictions however deteriorated at off-design incidences. This is mainly due to a problem with leading edge laminar separation bubble modelling; coupled with an inability of the calculations to grow the turbulent boundary layer at a correct rate in a strong adverse pressure gradient. Navier-Stokes loss predictions on the other hand are creditable throughout the whole incidence range, except at extreme positive incidence where turbulence modeling problems similar to those of the coupled boundary layer code are observed. The main drawback for the Navier-Stokes code is the slow rate of convergence for these low Mach number cases. Plans are currently under review to address this problem. Both codes give excellent predictions of the blade surface pressure distributions for all the cases considered.

The Pervasive Effect of the Calmed Region

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Thomas ◽  
J. P. Gostelow
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Adverse Pressure Gradient ◽  
Laminar Separation Bubble ◽  
Free Shear Layer ◽  
Hot Wire ◽  
Strong Suppression ◽  
Velocity Fluctuations ◽  
Laminar Separation

Experiments have been conducted relating to the interaction of imposed freestream wakes upon a flat plate laminar separation bubble under an adverse pressure gradient. Controlled wakes, representative of those seen in turbomachinery environments, were used to investigate unsteadiness effects upon a separating boundary layer that undergoes natural transition in the free shear layer under steady conditions. Hot-wire anemometry using a single hot-wire has shown leading edge boundary layer disturbances induced under each passing wake, which grow steadily via by-pass and natural transition methods into turbulent strips that convect with the flow. These disturbances are of such strength that the separated region is resisted and effectively swept away by the passing turbulence, momentarily giving rise to a wholly attached laminar boundary layer. Controlling the chord-wise proximity of neighboring wakes allowed for the investigation of the effect and extent of the calmed region behind each induced turbulent strip. Measurements have shown that a strong suppression of velocity fluctuations is seen related to the proximity of the turbulent strips. Turbulence level reductions of up to 40% have been demonstrated as wake spacing is reduced. Even for those cases where systematic wakes are sufficiently close together to prevent the development of a visible calmed region, very strong calming influences are seen in the wake induced turbulent domain that would have normally been occupied by the calmed flow.

Response of a Laminar Separation Bubble to an Impinging Wake

2005 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Gostelow ◽  
R. L. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Rotating Disk ◽  
Good Representation ◽  
Laminar Separation Bubble ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Section Data ◽  
Controlled Diffusion ◽  
Layer Velocity

Laminar separation and transition phenomena were investigated experimentally in the wake-disturbed flow over a 2.4 m long flat plate. A controlled diffusion pressure distribution, representative of that on a compressor blade, was imposed but with sufficiently strong loading to cause laminar separation. Boundary layer velocity traverses were performed at several longitudinal stations. Wakes were generated upstream by a single rod, parallel to the leading edge, attached to a rotating disk mounted flush in the sidewall of the working section. Data are presented in the form of velocity traces and contours of velocity and turbulent intermittency. The results highlight the interaction between the incoming wake and the natural boundary layer, which features a long and thin laminar separation bubble; they demonstrate that wind tunnel experiments provide a good representation of boundary layer behavior under wake disturbances on turbomachinery blading. The calmed region behind the disturbance is a feature that is even stronger behind a wake interaction than behind a triggered turbulent spot. Intermittency values for the undisturbed flow in the separation bubble reattachment region are well represented by Narasimha’s universal intermittency distribution, lending support to the use of intermittency-based predictive routines in calculations of blade boundary layers.

The Measurement of Boundary Layers on a Compressor Blade in Cascade: Part 4 — Flow Fields for Incidence Angles of −1.5 and −8.5 Degrees

1989 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. C. Zierke ◽  
S. Deutsch
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Compressor Blade ◽  
Laser Doppler ◽  
Laser Doppler Velocimeter ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Pressure Surface

Measurements, made with laser Doppler velocimetry, about a double-circular-arc compressor blade in cascade are presented for −1.5 and −8.5 degree incidence angles and a chord Reynolds number near 500,000. Comparisons between the results of the current study and those of our earlier work at a 5.0 degree incidence are made. It is found that in spite of the relative sophistication of the measurement techniques, transition on the pressure surface at the −1.5 degree incidence is dominated by a separation “bubble” too small to be detected by the laser Doppler velocimeter. The development of the boundary layers at −1.5 and 5.0 degrees are found to be similar. In contrast to the flow at these two incidence angles, the leading edge separation “bubble” is on the pressure surface for the −8.5 degree incidence. Here, all of the measured boundary layers on the pressure surface are turbulent — but extremely thin — while on the suction surface, a laminar separation/turbulent reattachment “bubble” lies between roughly 35% and 60% chord. This “bubble” is quite thin, and some problems in interpreting backflow data.

Leading Edge Contamination of a C-D Compressor Blade Using Large Eddy Simulation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Katiyar ◽  
S. Sarkar
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Large Eddy Simulation ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Adverse Pressure Gradient ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Local Flow ◽  
Flow Acceleration ◽  
Eddy Simulation ◽  
Large Eddy

Abstract A large-eddy simulation (LES) is employed here to predict the flow field over the suction surface of a controlled-diffusion (C-D) compressor stator blade following the experiment of Hobson et al. [1]. When compared with the experiment, LES depicts a separation bubble (SB) in the mid-chord region of the suction surface, although discrepancies exist in Cp. Further, the LES resolves the growth of boundary layer over the mid-chord and levels of turbulence intensity with an acceptable limit. What is noteworthy that LES also resolves a tiny SB near the leading-edge at the designed inflow angle of 38.3°. The objective of the present study is to assess how this leading-edge bubble influences the transition and development of boundary layer on the suction surface before the mid-chord. It appears that the separation at leading-edge suddenly enhances the perturbation levels exciting development of boundary layer downstream. The boundary layer becomes pre-transitional followed by a decay of fluctuations up to 30% of chord attributing to the local flow acceleration. Further, the boundary layer appears like laminar after being relaxed from the leading edge excitation near the mid-chord. It separates again because of the adverse pressure gradient, depicting augmentation of turbulence followed by the breakdown at about 70% of chord.

Effects of Curvature Continuity of Compressor Blade Profiles on Their Performances

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yin Song ◽  
Chunwei Gu
Keyword(s):  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Surface Curvature ◽  
Compressor Blade ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Boundary Layer Equations ◽  
Pressure Spike ◽  
Curvature Continuity ◽  
Continuous Curvature

Curvature discontinuity may exist in the surface, especially at the leading edge, of a compressor blade. The importance of curvature continuity or discontinuity has been realized, but its definite influences and mechanisms still need research. In this paper, an optimization method is proposed to design continuous-curvature blade profiles from datum blades, and a Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) solver with a transition model is used to examine the flowfields and performances of different blade profiles. Large eddy simulations of several cases are also presented to validate the RANS results. The effects of leading-edge-blend-point curvature continuity and the main-surface curvature continuity are studied separately. The results show that the curvature continuity at the leading-edge blend point helps to eliminate the separation bubble, and thus improves the blade performance. The main-surface curvature continuity is also found beneficial, although its effects are much smaller than those of the blend-point curvature continuity. Boundary-layer equations of the blade profiles are analyzed in terms of order of magnitude to further study the different curvature-continuity effects of the blend point and main surface theoretically. The analysis reveals the physical facts that produce the pressure spike around a leading-edge blend point with a discontinuous curvature, and thus explains how the optimized continuous-curvature leading edge removes the pressure spike and the related separation. The analysis also finds that the high spike appearing near the nose of a continuous-curvature leading edge at larger incidences is controlled by the large nose curvature rather than curvature discontinuity. The dual separation mechanisms also help to solve the so-called sharp leading edge paradox.

Large Eddy Simulation of a Controlled-Diffusion Cascade Blade at Varying Flow Inlet Angles

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Andrew McMullan ◽  
Gary J. Page
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Large Eddy Simulation ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Fine Grid ◽  
Controlled Diffusion ◽  
Eddy Simulation ◽  
Pressure Distributions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Large Eddy ◽  
Flow Features

A Controlled Diffusion cascade stator blade has been studied numerically using Large Eddy Simulation (LES). The aim of the study is to assess the performance of Large Eddy Simulation in predicting flow features on a highly-loaded blade, including leading-edge separation, transition and turbulent reattachment, particularly at off-design conditions. The need for LES to be performed on high resolution grids is highlighted by preliminary simulations on a mesh typically used in Reynolds-Averaged approaches. On a fine grid, the unsteady flow features captured by time-dependent simulation yield an improvement in surface pressure distributions and boundary layer profiles, although some weaknesses are apparent in the prediction of pressure-side boundary layer properties and wake profiles. The computed loss coefficients show potential for LES to be used to obtain loss-loop data over a wide range of incidence angles.

Compressor blade leading edges in subsonic compressible flow

2000 ◽  
Vol 214 (1) ◽  
pp. 221-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Tain ◽  
N. A. Cumpsty
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Mach Number ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Inviscid Flow ◽  
Compressor Blade ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Mach Numbers

The flow around the leading edge of a compressor blade is interesting and important because there is such a strong interaction between the viscous boundary layer flow and the inviscid flow around it. As the velocity of the inviscid flow just outside the boundary layer is increased from subsonic to supersonic, the type of viscous-inviscid interaction changes; this has important effects on the boundary layer downstream and thus on the performance of the aerofoil or blade. An investigation has been undertaken of the flow in the immediate vicinity of a simulated compressor blade leading edge for a range of inlet Mach numbers from 0.6 to 0.95. The two-dimensional aerofoil used has a circular leading edge on the front of a flat aerofoil. The incidence, Reynolds number and level of free-stream turbulence have been varied. Measurements include the static pressure around the leading edge and downstream and the boundary layer profile far enough downstream for the leading edge bubble to have reattached. Schlieren pictures were also obtained. The flow around the leading edge becomes supersonic when the inlet Mach number is 0.7 for the zero-incidence case; for an inlet Mach number of 0.95 the peak Mach number was approximately 1.7. The pattern of flow around the leading edge alters as the Mach number is increased, and at the highest Mach number tested here the laminar separation bubble is removed. Positive incidence, raised free-stream turbulence or increased Reynolds number at intermediate inlet Mach numbers tended to promote flow patterns similar to those seen at the highest inlet Mach number. Both increased free-stream turbulence and increased Reynolds number, for the same Mach number and incidence, produced thinner shear layers including a thinner boundary layer well downstream. The measurements were supported by calculations using the MSES code (the single aerofoil version of the MISES code); the calculations were helpful in interpreting the measured results and were demonstrated to be accurate enough to be used for design purposes.

A Navier-Stokes Analysis of the Stall Flutter Characteristics of the Buffum Cascade

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Weber ◽  
Max F. Platzer
Keyword(s):  
Mach Number ◽  
Turbulence Modeling ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Implicit Time ◽  
Fully Implicit ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Stall Flutter ◽  
Good Agreement

Numerical stall flutter prediction methods are highly needed as modern jet engines require blade designs close to the stability boundaries of the performance map. A Quasi-3D Navier-Stokes code is used to analyze the flow over the oscillating cascade designed and manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, and studied at the NASA Glenn Research Center by Buffum et al. The numerical method solves for the governing equations with a fully implicit time-marching technique in a single passage by making use of a direct-store, periodic boundary condition. For turbulence modeling the Baldwin-Lomax model is used. To account for transition, the criterion to predict the onset location suggested by Baldwin and Lomax is incorporated. Buffum et al. investigated two incidence cases for three different Mach numbers. The low-incidence case at a Mach number of 0.5 exhibited the formation of small separation bubbles at reduced oscillation frequencies of 0.8 and 1.2. For this case the present approach yielded good agreement with the steady and oscillatory measurements. At high-incidence at the same Mach number of 0.5 the measured steady-state pressure distribution and the separation bubble on the upper surface was also found in good agreement with the experiment. But computations for oscillations at high-incidence failed to predict the negative damping contribution caused by the leading edge separation.

Viscous Flow in a Controlled Diffusion Compressor Cascade With Increasing Incidence

1990 ◽  
Vol 112 (2) ◽  
pp. 256-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Elazar ◽  
R. P. Shreeve
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Laminar Separation Bubble ◽  
Compressor Cascade ◽  
Preliminary Assessment ◽  
Near Wake ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Controlled Diffusion ◽  
Flow Through

A detailed two-component LDV mapping of the flow through a controlled diffusion compressor cascade at low Mach number ( ~ 0.25) and Reynolds number of about 7 × 105, at three inlet air angles from design to near stall, is reported. It was found that the suction-side boundary layer reattached turbulent after a laminar separation bubble, and remained attached to the trailing edge even at the highest incidence, at which losses were 3 to 4 times the minimum value for the geometry. Boundary layer thickness increased to fill 20 percent of the blade passage at the highest incidence. Results for pressure-side boundary layer and near-wake also are summarized. Information sufficient to allow preliminary assessment of viscous codes is tabulated.

scholarly journals Modeling and Prediction of the Laminar Leading-Edge Separation and Transition in a Blade-Cascade Flow

1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitri P. Tselepidakis ◽  
Sung-Eun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Plate Boundary ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Compressor Cascade ◽  
Real Flow ◽  
Side Flow ◽  
Edge Separation

This paper presents the computation of the flow around a controlled diffusion compressor cascade. Features associated with by-pass transition close to the leading edge — including laminar leading-edge separation — contribute significantly to the evolution of the boundary layer on the blade surface. Previous studies have demonstrated that conventional k-ε models, based on linear or non-linear Boussinesq stress-strain relations, are able to capture by-pass transition in simple shear, but are unable to resolve transitional features in complex strain, like the leading-edge separation bubble, which is of considerable influence to the suction-side flow at high inlet angle. Here, the k-ω turbulence model has been implemented in a nonstaggered, finite-volume based segregated Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes solver. We demonstrate that this model, if properly sensitized to the generation of turbulence by irrotational strains, is capable of capturing the laminar leading-edge separation bubble. The real flow around the leading edge is laminar and the transition is only provoked on the reattachment region. Additional investigation of transition in a flat-plate boundary layer development has also produced reasonably promising results.

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