Effect of Speed Ratio and Axial Spacing Variations on the Performance of a High Aspect Ratio, Low Speed Contra-Rotating Fan

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chetan S. Mistry ◽  
A. M. Pradeep
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
High Aspect Ratio ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Stall Margin ◽  
Low Speed

This paper explores the effect of speed ratio and axial spacing between high aspect ratio, low speed contra-rotating pair rotors on their aerodynamic performance. The blades were designed with a low hub-tip ratio of 0.35 and an aspect ratio of 3.0. Numerical and experimental studies are carried out on these contra-rotating rotors operating at a Reynolds number of 1.258 × 105 (based on blade chord). The first and second rotors were designed to develop a pressure rise of 1100 Pa and 900 Pa, respectively, for total mass flow rate of 6 kg/s when both operating at a design speed of 2400 rpm. The performance of the fan was evaluated based on variations of total pressure and flow angles at off-design operating conditions. The measurementsof total pressure rise, flow angles etc. are taken upstream of the first rotor and in between the two rotors and downstream of the second rotor. The performance of the contra rotating stage is mainly influenced by the axial spacing between the rotors and speed ratio of both the rotors. The study reveals that the aerodynamics of the contra-rotating stage and stall margin is significantly affected by both the speed ratio as well as the axial spacing between the rotors. It was found that with increasing the speed ratio, the strong suction generated by the second rotor, improves the stage pressure rise and stall margin. Lower axial spacing changes the flow incidence to the second rotor and thereby improves the overall performance of the stage. This however, is accompanied by an increased noise level. The performance is investigated at different speed ratios of the rotors at varying axial spacing. Detailed numerical simulations have been conducted using ANSYS CFX13© using mixing plane approach between rotors. Numerical simulations are compared with experimental results at off-design conditions. These results are validated using the experimental data. Numerical simulations are expected to provide deeper insight into the flow physics of contra-rotating rotors which may be difficult to capture experimentally.

Understanding the Flow Behavior in a Low Hub-Tip Ratio, High Aspect Ratio Contra-Rotating Axial Fan Stage

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chetan S. Mistry ◽  
A. M. Pradeep
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Axial Fan ◽  
Stall Margin

This paper discusses the results of a parametric study of a pair of contra-rotating axial fan rotors. The rotors were designed to deliver a mass flow of 6 kg/s at 2400 rpm. The blades were designed with a low hub-tip ratio of 0.35 and an aspect ratio of 3.0. Numerical and experimental studies were carried out on these contra-rotating rotors operating at a Reynolds number of 1.25 × 105 (based on blade chord). The axial spacing between the rotors was varied between 50 to 120 % of the chord of rotor 1. The performance of the rotors was evaluated at each of these spacing at design and off-design speeds. The results from the numerical study (using ANSYS CFX) were validated using experimental data. In spite of certain limitations of CFD under certain operating conditions, it was observed that the results agreed well with those from the experiments. The performance of the fan was evaluated based on the variations of total pressure, velocity components and flow angles at design and off-design operating conditions. The measurement of total pressure, flow angles etc. are taken upstream of the first rotor, between the two rotors and downstream of the second rotor. It was observed that the aerodynamics of the flow through a contra rotating stage is significantly influenced by the axial spacing between the rotors and the speed ratio of the rotors. With increasing speed ratios, the strong suction generated by the second rotor, improves the stage pressure rise and the stall margin. Lower axial spacing on the other hand, changes the flow incidence to the second rotor and thereby improves the overall performance of the stage. The performance is investigated at different speed ratios of the rotors at varying axial spacing.

Influence of Circumferential Inflow Distortion on the Performance of a Low Speed, High Aspect Ratio Contra Rotating Axial Fan

2014 ◽  
Vol 136 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chetan Mistry ◽  
A. M. Pradeep
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
High Aspect Ratio ◽  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Axial Fan ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Design Speed ◽  
Inflow Conditions

The influence of circumferential inflow distorted on the performance and flow behavior of a high aspect ratio, low speed contra rotating fan is reported in this paper. The total pressure at the inlet is artificially distorted by means of 90 deg mesh sector with a porosity of 0.70. The performance of the contra rotating fan was studied under different speed combinations of the two rotors under clean and distorted inflow conditions. Detailed flow analyses were conducted under design and off-design conditions. In order to understand the effect of distortion and its extent, the distortion sector was rotated circumferentially at intervals of 15 deg to cover the entire annulus. Detailed measurements of the total pressure, velocity components, and flow angles were carried out at the inlet of the first rotor, between the two rotors, and at the exit of the second rotor. The study reveals a few interesting aspects on the effect of inflow distortion on the performance of a contra-rotating stage. For the design speed combination and lower rotational speed of rotor-2, a reduction in the overall operating range with a shift of the peak pressure point towards higher mass flow rate, was observed. It is observed that the effect of inflow distortion at the inlet of rotor-1 gets transferred in the direction of rotor-1 rotation and spreads across the entire annulus. The opposite sense of rotation of rotor-2 causes the distortion effect to get transferred in the direction of rotation of rotor-2 with an associated reduction in the total pressure near the hub. It is observed that a higher rotational speed of the second rotor has a beneficial effect on the overall performance due to the strong suction by generated higher rotational speed of rotor-2.

Experimental Study on Different Tip Clearance of Low-Speed Axial Fan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Zhang ◽  
Jia Li ◽  
Xu Dong ◽  
Dakun Sun ◽  
Xiaofeng Sun
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Signal Spectrum ◽  
Tip Clearance Flow ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Clearance Flow ◽  
Casing Pressure

Abstract Tip clearance flow is not only the source of undesirable noise but also a potential indicator for critical operating conditions with rotating stall or surge. It can induce blade vibration, which would cause premature blade failure when the vibration is strong enough. The paper presents experimental studies on the effects of tip clearance on the stall inception process in a low-speed high-load single stage fan with different tip clearance. From the point of view of flow range, it has been proved by computations that there is an optimal gap value, and an explanation is given according to different stall mechanisms of large and small tip clearance. However, the experiment of no tip clearance is not easy to achieve. In this experiment, a wearable soft wall casing was used to achieve “zero clearance”, and an explicit conclusion was obtained. The pressure rise and efficiency are improved at small tip clearance. Instantaneous Casing Pressure Field Measurement was carried out: instantaneous casing pressure fields were measured by 9 high response pressure transducers mounted on the casing wall. At the near stall point with large tip clearance, a narrow band increase of the amplitudes in the frequency spectrum at roughly half of the blade passing frequency can be observed according to the spectrum of static pressure at points on the endwall near the leading-edge and above the rotor. This phenomenon was explained from two aspects: tip clearance flow structure and pressure signal spectrum.

Effects of Rotor-Speed-Ratio and Crosswind Inlet Distortion on Off-Design Performance of Contra-Rotating Propelling Unit

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stavros V. Vouros ◽  
Alexandros C. Chasoglou ◽  
Theofilos G. Efstathiadis ◽  
Anestis I. Kalfas
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Static Pressure ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Rotor Speed ◽  
Design Performance ◽  
Inlet Distortion

This paper presents an investigation of the effects of rotor-speed-ratio (RSR) and inlet crosswind distortion on the off-design performance of a contra-rotating propelling unit. A dedicated wind tunnel has been built in order to study the off-design performance in distorted and undistorted conditions. A miniature 8-hole pressure rake has been calibrated to measure the total and static pressure field across the blade span, upstream and downstream of the propellers. A data analysis algorithm has been developed for the rapid exportation of desensitized and reliable mass-averaged characteristics, while wall blockage effects are accounted for incorporating a correction factor. Investigation of rotor-speed-ratio effects at undistorted inlet conditions show that, efficiency is the highest when the front rotor operates at rotational speed equal to 90% of the aft rotor’s speed. For the optimum RSR, the effects of crosswind inlet distortion are investigated. Crosswind mass-flow is generated by a 16-fan array, accommodated in a secondary square wind-tunnel, with its center axis perpendicular to propeller main flow direction. In order to achieve realistic crosswind flow characteristics, the pressure side of the secondary wind tunnel is being used, after proper flow conditioning. Total and static pressure distribution highlights the location of a primary and a secondary stall cell, both upstream and downstream of the propellers. The results indicate a spanwise shift of the inlet pressure profile towards the direction of crosswind. A rotation of the wake is also observed due to propellers’ remaining swirl. Finally, the effect of distortion on the overall performance is being investigated, by the exportation of averaged total pressure rise for the various examined inlet distortion cases. Mass-flow is slightly increased; however, total pressure rise is dramatically reduced due to crosswind flow effects. Especially for the case of landing under extremely strong crosswind, the ratio between total pressure rise and inlet dynamic head is 4.2 times lower, compared to undistorted inlet operating conditions.

Investigations on the Effect of Inflow Distortion on the Performance of a High Aspect Ratio, Low Speed Contra Rotating Fan Stage

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chetan S. Mistry ◽  
A. M. Pradeep
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
High Aspect Ratio ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Variable Speed ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Inlet Distortion ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Inflow Conditions

In this paper, results from an experimental study on the effect of circumferential inflow distorted on the performance and flow behavior of a high aspect ratio, low speed contra rotating fan, are reported. The total pressure at the inlet is artificially distorted by means of 90° mesh sector having porosity of 0.70. The performance of contra rotating fan was studied under variable speed combinations of rotors under clean and distorted inflow conditions. Detailed flow analyses were conducted under design and off-design conditions. In order to understand the extent of inlet distortion, the distortion sector was rotated circumferentially at intervals of 15° to cover the entire annulus. Detailed measurements of total pressure, velocity components and flow angles were carried out at the inlet of the first rotor, between the two rotors and at the exit of the second rotor. The study reveals a few interesting aspects on the effect of inflow distortion on the performance of a contra-rotating stage. It is observed that a higher rotational speed of the second rotor has a beneficial effect on the overall performance.

Study of the Velocity Flow Field Under Distorted Inflow Conditions for a High Aspect Ratio Low Speed Contra Rotating Fan

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chetan S. Mistry ◽  
A. M. Pradeep
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
High Aspect Ratio ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Inlet Distortion ◽  
Velocity Magnitude ◽  
Velocity Flow ◽  
Design Speed ◽  
Inflow Conditions

In this paper, results from an experimental study on the effect of circumferential inflow distortion on the flow behavior of a high aspect ratio, low speed contra rotating fan, are reported. The total pressure at the inlet is artificially distorted by means of (i) 90° sector mesh having porosity of 0.70, (ii) 90° sector mesh having porosity combination of 0.70 and 1/3rd section at the hub region covered by mesh of porosity 0.64 (hub covered combined distortion) and (iii) 90° sector mesh having porosity combination of 0.7 and 1/3rd section at the tip region covered by mesh of porosity 0.64 (tip covered combined distortion). Detailed flow analyses were conducted under design speed combination and design mass flow rate of 6 kg/s. In order to understand the extent of inlet distortion, the distortion sector was rotated circumferentially at intervals of 15° to cover the entire annulus. Detailed measurements of velocity components and flow angles were carried out at the inlet of the first rotor, between the two rotors and at the exit of the second rotor. The study reveals a few interesting aspects on the effect of circumferential and combined distortion inflow distortion on the flow behavior of a contra-rotating stage. The presence of low porosity screen reduces the axial velocity magnitude and generates higher spread of distortion near the localized region of placement of the screen. The pure circumferential distortion has a greater effect on the performance of both the rotors compared to hub and tip covered combined distortion.

Numerical Analysis of Non-Radial Blading in a Low Speed and Low Pressure Turbine for Electric Turbocompounding Applications

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Alvarez-Regueiro ◽  
Esperanza Barrera-Medrano ◽  
Ricardo Martinez-Botas ◽  
Srithar Rajoo
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Thermal Stresses ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Blade Angle ◽  
Low Speed

Abstract This paper presents a CFD-based numerical analysis on the potential benefits of non-radial blading turbine for low speed-low pressure applications. Electric turbocompounding is a waste heat recovery technology consisting of a turbine coupled to a generator that transforms the energy left over in the engine exhaust gases, which is typically found at low pressure, into electricity. Turbines designed to operate at low specific speed are ideal for these applications since the peak efficiency occurs at lower pressure ratios than conventional high speed turbines. The baseline design consisted of a vaneless radial fibre turbine, operating at 1.2 pressure ratio and 28,000rpm. Experimental low temperature tests were carried out with the baseline radial blading turbine at nominal, lower and higher pressure ratio operating conditions to validate numerical simulations. The baseline turbine incidence angle effect was studied and positive inlet blade angle impact was assessed in the current paper. Four different turbine rotor designs of 20, 30, 40 and 50° of positive inlet blade angle are presented, with the aim to reduce the losses associated to positive incidence, specially at midspan. The volute domain was included in all CFD calculations to take into account the volute-rotor interactions. The results obtained from numerical simulations of the modified designs were compared with those from the baseline turbine rotor at design and off-design conditions. Total-to-static efficiency improved in all the non-radial blading designs at all operating points considered, by maximum of 1.5% at design conditions and 5% at off-design conditions, particularly at low pressure ratio. As non-radial fibre blading may be susceptible to high centrifugal and thermal stresses, a structural analysis was performed to assess the feasibility of each design. Most of non-radial blading designs showed acceptable levels of stress and deformation.

Effects of tip air injection on the aerodynamic stability of an axial flow compressor with total pressure distortion

2021 ◽  
pp. 095441002110375
Author(s):  
Baofeng Tu ◽  
Xinyu Zhang ◽  
Liang Li ◽  
Jun Hu
Keyword(s):  
Total Pressure ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Air Injection ◽  
Aerodynamic Stability ◽  
Insertion Depth ◽  
Stall Margin ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Inlet Distortion ◽  
The Stability

The compressor is a critical component that determines the aerodynamic stability of an aero-engine. Total pressure inlet distortion decreases the thrust and shrinks the stability margin, thus inducing severe performance degradation or even flameout. Generally, tip air injection is used to reduce the adverse influence of total pressure inlet distortion on the aerodynamic stability. In the present work, an experimental investigation on the effects of tip air injection on the stability of a two-stage low-speed axial compressor with total pressure inlet distortion was carried out. A flat baffle generated the total pressure distortion at the inlet of the compressor. The stall margin of the compressor was reduced significantly by the total pressure distortion. When the dimensionless insertion depth of the flat baffle was 0.45, the stall margin decreased to 11.4%. Under the total pressure inlet distortion, tip air injection effectively improved the distortion resistance capability of the compressor. The circumferential layout of the nozzle played a critical role in the stability expansion effect of tip air injection under the inlet flow condition of the total pressure distortion. The modal wave disturbance was likely to occur in the distortion-affected region (the low-pressure region and the mixing region). Tip air injection did not inhibit the generation of the modal wave but restrained the development of the modal wave into the stall cell. It improved the low-speed compressor’s tolerance to the modal wave and allowed a higher amplitude modal wave to occur.

A Model for Stall and Surge in Low-Speed Contra-Rotating Fans

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Javad Shahriyari ◽  
Hossein Khaleghi ◽  
Martin Heinrich
Keyword(s):  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Negative Slope ◽  
Initial Slope ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Fan Performance

This paper reports on a theory for poststall transients in contra-rotating fans, which is developed from the basic Moore–Greitzer theory. A second-order hysteresis term is assumed for the fan pressure rise, which gives the theory more capabilities in predicting the fan instabilities. The effect of the rotational speed ratio of the two counter rotating rotors on the fan performance during the occurrence of surge and rotating stall are studied (the rotational speed of the front rotor is assumed to be kept constant whereas the speed of the rear rotor is variable). One of the new capabilities of the current model is the possibility of investigating the effect of the initial slope on the fan characteristic. Results reveal that unlike the conventional fans and compressors, in the current contra-rotating fan stall cannot be initiated from the negative slope portion of the fan pressure rise characteristic curve. One of the important advantages of the developed model is that it enables investigation of the effect of the rate of throttling on the instabilities. Results show that more the rotational speed of the rear rotor, the more robust to surge (caused by throttling) the fan is.

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