Experimental and Analytical Surge Cycle Analysis of a High Pressure Aero Engine Compressor

Author(s):  
Phillip Waniczek ◽  
Harald Schoenenborn ◽  
Peter Jeschke

The unsteady flow field during surge of the front rotor of an eight-stage axial aero engine compressor has been investigated experimentally and analytically. For that purpose, two newly designed multi-sensor probes are installed up- and downstream of the first rotor. Surge experiments are conducted at four different speed lines (75–93% speed) covering a wide range of the compressor map and measurements have been taken at two different channel heights (50% and 70% span). The results show that the flow field varies extremely during surge up- and downstream of the rotor. In contrast to the flow at the rotor leading edge, which is nearly independent of the rotor speed, the flow at the rotor trailing edge is highly dependent of the rotor speed. Therefore, the performance of the rotor during surge is dependent on the reverse through-flow of the stators. At low speeds the flow passes the stators without any changes in the flow direction. If speed is increased the reverse flow is guided more and more by the stators. These different flow conditions have a direct impact on the process of energy conversion of the rotor during the surge event. The incoming reverse flow at the rotor trailing edge impinges on the blade from the suction surface side at lower speeds and turns to the pressure surface side when speed is increased. Hence, the deviation and specific work grow. In addition to the surge experiments simulations of the surge events are conducted with a 1D code called SYSQ3D. The simulations and experiments match well and underline the capability of the new multi-sensor probes to accurately measure the flow patterns during surge.

Author(s):  
D. J. Patterson ◽  
M. Hoeger

Because of the laminar boundary-layer’s inability to withstand moderate adverse pressure gradients without separating, profile losses in LP turbines operating at low Reynolds numbers can be high. The choice of design pressure distribution for the blading is thus of great importance. Three sub-sonic LP turbine nozzle-guide-vane cascade profiles have been tested over a wide range of incidence, Mach number and Reynolds number. The three profiles are of low, medium and high deflection and, as such, display significantly different pressure distributions. The tests include detailed boundary-layer traverses, trailing-edge base-pressure monitoring and oil-flow visualisation. It is shown that the loss variation with Reynolds number is a function of pressure distribution and that the trailing-edge loss component is dominant at low Reynolds number. The importance of achieving late flow transition — rather than separation — in the suction-surface trailing-edge region is stressed. The paper concludes by remarking on the advantages and practical implications of each loading design.


2016 ◽  
Vol 139 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Demel ◽  
Mohsen Ferchichi ◽  
William D. E. Allan ◽  
Marouen Dghim

This work details an experimental investigation on the effects of the variation of flap gap and overlap sizes on the flow field in the wake of a wing-section equipped with a trailing edge Fowler flap. The airfoil was based on the NACA 0014-1.10 40/1.051 profile, and the flap was deployed with 40 deg deflection angle. Two-dimensional (2D) particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements of the flow field in the vicinity of the main wing trailing edge and the flap region were performed for the optimal flap gap and overlap, as well as for flap gap and overlap increases of 2% and 4% chord beyond optimal, at angles of attack of 0 deg, 10 deg, and 12 deg. For all the configurations investigated, the flow over the flap was found to be fully stalled. At zero angle of attack, increasing the flap gap size was found to have minor effects on the flow field but increased flap overlap resulted in misalignment between the main wing boundary layer (BL) flow and the slot flow that forced the flow in the trailing edge region of the main wing to separate. When the angle of attack was increased to near stall conditions (at angle of attack of 12 deg), increasing the flap gap was found to energize and improve the flow in the trailing edge region of the main wing, whereas increased flap overlap further promoted flow separation on the main wing suction surface possibly steering the wing into stall.


Author(s):  
P. Waniczek ◽  
P. Jeschke ◽  
H. Schoenenborn ◽  
T. Metzler

The surge behavior of the first rotor of an eight-stage aero engine high pressure compressor has been investigated experimentally. For that purpose, a new multi-hole pressure probe was developed and adapted to the axial compressor test rig. Due to the high time resolution measurements (more than 45000 measuring points per surge cycle) it is possible to investigate the dynamic flow field of a surge cycle in a time-accurate manner. The results especially show the complex flow field structure at the surge inception. At the rotor leading edge the flow shows perturbations with high amplitudes and initiates the surge event, whereas the flow at the rotor trailing edge is less influenced. The inflow vector turns around the leading edge of the blade relatively slowly. During that turn around three different characteristic flow conditions have been identified. These are ‘zero rotor turning’, ‘turbine-like flow’ and ‘no flow’. ‘No flow’ means, that the absolute velocity vector reaches a flow angle where it consists of a pure tangential velocity component. That is the point where the reverse flow phase is initiated. A 180° shift of the flow direction at the rotor trailing edge is the consequence. After a quasi-steady reverse flow the acceleration of the flow starts. In total, this paper gives new and fundamental insights into the unsteady flow field phenomena during various surge cycles. Especially the transient velocity vector imparts a good idea of the flow field structure of a surging compressor.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1673
Author(s):  
Yumeng Tang ◽  
Yangwei Liu

Mach number effects on loss and loading are evaluated in both the datum and slotted compressor profiles under a wide range of incidences based on two-dimensional (2D) computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations. First, total pressure loss and loading abilities are compared. Then, three kinds of deficit thickness are defined and evaluated, and a correlation is made between the loading and the momentum deficit thickness at the profile trailing edge. Finally, the nondimensionalized destruction of mean mechanical energy and dissipation function are employed to analyze the loss mechanism. The slotted profile broadens the low loss range towards the positive incidence range. The slotted profile allows a higher diffusion factor (DF) than the datum profile. It is hard to distinguish failure simply based on the DF values, whereas the Zweifel loading coefficient connects well with the low momentum deficit in the profile trailing edge. The peak of the V-shaped distributions in the Ψ - θ d e f plot could better suggest the design condition and determine the correct operating range despite the occurrence of bulk separation. The slotted profile gains the ability of the boundary layer flow near the suction surface to resist the adverse pressure gradient, hence, a reduced shear thickness and a uniformed downstream flow field is obtained.


1990 ◽  
Vol 112 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Boccazzi ◽  
A. Perdichizzi ◽  
U. Tabacco

The results of an experimental investigation of the flow field within a low-solidity inducer at design and off-design flow rates are presented and discussed; particular attention is devoted to the analysis of the flow field, at the tip in front of the leading edge, for the flow rate close to the back-flow onset. The flow field was measured by means of a laser-Doppler velocimeter at four different axial positions upstream, within, and downstream of the inducer. Axial, tangential, and relative flow angle distributions, in the measuring planes, are presented for three different flow coefficients. At the lower flow rate, the plots show the presence of reverse flow in the region close to the hub downstream of the trailing edge. For the same flow rate, quite low axial velocities are detected at the tip. This is in agreement with pressure probe traverses carried out in a slightly downstream section; these measurements also show radial inward velocities of the same order of magnitude as the axial velocities. Circumferentially averaged losses were evaluated from specific work and total head rise given by pressure probes.


Author(s):  
Hongwei Ma ◽  
Haokang Jiang

This paper reports an experimental investigation of the three-dimensional turbulent flow downstream of a single-stage axial compressor rotor. The flow fields were measured at two axial locations in the rotor-stator gap at different mass-flow conditions. Both hot-wire probe and fast-response pressure probe were employed to survey the flow structure. At the design condition, substantial flow blockage, turbulence, loss and aerodynamic noise mainly occur in the tip mid-passage, the rotor wake and at the hub corner of the suction surface. The radial component is the highest of the three turbulence intensities at 15% axial chord downstream of the trailing edge. With the flow downstream, the radial turbulence components decay fast. Interactions of the tip leakage vorticities and the rotor wake are found at 30% axial chord downstream of the trailing edge. With the mass-flow decrease, the turbulence intensities and shear stresses become stronger, while the radial components increase fast. The flow separation and tangential migration of the low-energy fluids at the tip corner of the suction surface play an important role in the tip flow field at a low mass-flow condition.


Author(s):  
Benjamin K. S. Woods ◽  
Norman M. Wereley ◽  
Curt S. Kothera

A novel active trailing edge flap actuation system is under development. This system differs significantly from previous trailing edge flap systems in that it is driven by a pneumatic actuator technology. Pneumatic Artificial Muscles (PAMs) were chosen because of several attractive properties, including high specific work and power output, an expendable operating fluid, and robustness. The actuation system is sized for a full scale active rotor system for a Bell 407 scale helicopter. This system is designed to produce large flap deflections (±20°) at the main rotor rotation frequency (1/rev) to create large amplitude thrust variation for primary control of the helicopter. Additionally, it is designed to produce smaller magnitude deflections at higher frequencies, up to 5/rev (N+1/rev), to provide vibration mitigation capability. The basic configuration has a pair of Pneumatic Artificial Muscles mounted antagonistically in the root of each blade. A bellcrank and linkage system transfers the force and motion of these actuators to a trailing edge flap on the outboard portion of the rotor. A reduced span wind tunnel test model of this system has been built and tested in the Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel at the University of Maryland at wind speeds up to M = 0.3. The test article consisted of a 5-ft long tip section of a Bell 407 rotor blade cantilevered from the base of the tunnel with a 34 in, 15% chord plain flap that was driven by the PAM actuation system. Testing over a wide range of aerodynamic conditions and actuation parameters established the considerable control authority and bandwidth of the system at the aerodynamic load levels available in the tunnel. Comparison of quasi-static experimental results shows good agreement with predictions made using a simple system model.


2001 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Hummel

Two-dimensional unsteady Navier–Stokes calculations of a transonic single-stage high-pressure turbine were carried out with emphasis on the flow field behind the rotor. Detailed validation of the numerical procedure with experimental data showed excellent agreement in both time-averaged and time-resolved flow quantities. The numerical timestep as well as the grid resolution allowed the prediction of the Ka´rma´n vortex streets of both stator and rotor. Therefore, the influence of the vorticity shed from the stator on the vortex street of the rotor is detectable. It was found that certain vortices in the rotor wake are enhanced while others are diminished by passing stator wake segments. A schematic of this process is presented. In the relative frame of reference, the rotor is operating in a transonic flow field with shocks at the suction side trailing edge. These shocks interact with both rotor and stator wakes. It was found that a shock modulation occurs in time and space due to the stator wake passing. In the absolute frame of reference behind the rotor, a 50-percent variation in shock strength is observed according to the circumferential or clocking position. Furthermore, a substantial weakening of the rotor suction side trailing edge shock in flow direction is detected in an unsteady flow simulation when compared to a steady-state calculation, which is caused by convection of upstream stator wake segments. The physics of the aforementioned unsteady phenomena as well as their influence on design are discussed.


Author(s):  
Dipanjay Dewanji ◽  
Arvind G. Rao ◽  
Mathieu Pourquie ◽  
Jos P. van Buijtenen

The Lean Direct Injection (LDI) combustion concept has been of active interest due to its potential for low emissions under a wide range of operational conditions. This might allow the LDI concept to become the next generation gas-turbine combustion scheme for aviation engines. Nevertheless, the underlying unsteady phenomena, which are responsible for low emissions, have not been widely investigated. This paper reports a numerical study on the characteristics of the non-reacting and reacting flow field in a single-element LDI combustor. The solution for the non-reacting flow captures the essential aerodynamic flow characteristics of the LDI combustor, such as the reverse flow regions and the complex swirling flow structures inside the swirlers and in the neighborhood of the combustion chamber inlet, with reasonable accuracy. A spray model is introduced to simulate the reacting flow field. The reaction of the spray greatly influences the gas-phase velocity distribution. The heat release effect due to combustion results in a significantly stronger and compact reverse flow zone as compared to that of the non-reacting case. The inflow spray is specified by the Kelvin-Helmholtz breakup model, which is implemented in the Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) code. The results show a strong influence of the high swirling flow field on liquid droplet breakup and flow mixing process, which in turn could explain the low-emission behavior of the LDI combustion concept.


1989 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Boccazzi ◽  
A. Perdichizzi ◽  
U. Tabacco

The results of an experimental investigation of the flow-field within a low solidity inducer at design and off design flow rate are presented and discussed; particular attention is devoted to the analysis of the flow-field, at the tip in front of the leading edge, for the flow rate close to the back-flow onset. The flow-field was measured by means of a laser doppler velocimeter at four different axial positions: upstream, within and downstream of the inducer. Axial, tangential and relative flow angle distributions, in the measuring planes, are presented for three different flow coefficients. At the lower flow rate, the plots show the presence of reverse flow in the region close to the hub downstream of the trailing edge. For the same flow rate, quite low axial velocities are detected at the tip. This is in agreement with pressure probe traverses carried out in a slightly downstream section; these measurements also show radial inward velocities of the same order of magnitude as the axial velocities. Circumferentially averaged losses were evaluated from specific work and total head rise given by pressure probes.


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