Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Return Channel Vane Aerodynamics With 2D and 3D Vanes

Author(s):  
A. Hildebrandt ◽  
F. Schilling

The present paper deals with the numerical and experimental investigation of the effect of return channel dimensions of a centrifugal compressor stage on the aerodynamic performance. Three different return channel stages were investigated, two stages comprising 3D (three-dimensional) return channel blades and one stage comprising (2D) two-dimensional RCH (Return Channel) vanes. The analysis was performed regarding both the investigation of overall performance (stage efficiency, RCH total pressure loss coefficient) and detailed flow field performance. For detailed experimental flow field investigation at the stage exit, six circumferentially traversed three-hole probes were positioned downstream the return channel exit in order to get two-dimensional flow field information. Additionally, static pressure wall measurements were taken at the hub and shroud pressure and suction side of the 2D and 3D return channel blades. The return channel system overall performance was calculated by measurements of the circumferentially averaged 1D flow field downstream the diffuser exit and downstream the stage exit. Dependent on the type of return channel blade, the numerical and experimental results show a significant effect on the flow field overall and detail performance. In general, satisfactory agreement between CFD-prediction and test-rig measurements was achieved regarding overall and flow field performance. In comparison with the measurements, the CFD calculated stage performance (efficiency and pressure rise coefficient) of all 3D-RCH stages was slightly over-predicted. Very good agreement between CFD and measurement results was found for the static pressure distribution on the RCH wall surfaces while small CFD-deviations occur in the measured flow angle at the stage exit, dependent on the turbulence model selected.

2016 ◽  
Vol 139 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Hildebrandt ◽  
F. Schilling

The present paper deals with the numerical and experimental investigation of the effect of return channel (RCH) dimensions of a centrifugal compressor stage on the aerodynamic performance. Three different return channel stages were investigated, two stages comprising three-dimensional (3D) return channel blades and one stage comprising two-dimensional (2D) RCH vanes. The analysis was performed regarding both the investigation of overall performance (stage efficiency, RCH total pressure loss coefficient) and detailed flow-field performance. For detailed experimental flow-field investigation at the stage exit, six circumferentially traversed three-hole probes were positioned downstream the return channel exit in order to get two-dimensional flow-field information. Additionally, static pressure wall measurements were taken at the hub and shroud pressure and suction side (SS) of the 2D and 3D return channel blades. The return channel system overall performance was calculated by measurements of the circumferentially averaged 1D flow field downstream the diffuser exit and downstream the stage exit. Dependent on the type of return channel blade, the numerical and experimental results show a significant effect on the flow field overall and detail performance. In general, satisfactory agreement between computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-prediction and test-rig measurements was achieved regarding overall and flow-field performance. In comparison with the measurements, the CFD-calculated stage performance (efficiency and pressure rise coefficient) of all the 3D-RCH stages was slightly overpredicted. Very good agreement between CFD and measurement results was found for the static pressure distribution on the RCH wall surfaces while small CFD-deviations occur in the measured flow angle at the stage exit, dependent on the turbulence model selected.


1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Janssen ◽  
R. Mönig ◽  
J. Seume ◽  
H. Hönen ◽  
R. Lösch-Schloms ◽  
...  

Detailed experimental investigations were carried out at the Siemens test-facility in Berlin to validate and develop further the compressor design of the Model V84.3 gas turbine and to generate a comprehensive data base for the verification of the flow calculation programs. The test facility enables Siemens to confirm the design with regard to performance and reliability in the full scale machine under full load and off-design condition. Various measuring techniques well established in the laboratory were applied to the full scale compressor to examine the flow field. Along with rather conventional 5-hole probes for measuring the flow field in the core region, miniaturized 3-hole probes were developed at the Turbomachinery Laboratory of the Technical University of Aachen, tested and finally used for the measurements of endwall boundary layer profiles and their development throughout the compressor. In addition to the probe measurements, wall static-pressure measurements, as well as probed vane measurements, were carried out. The paper briefly describes the test facility, the compressor under investigation, and the instrumentation for the flow measurements. A comparison of the 3-hole and 5-hole probe measurements is presented. The experimental results are compared with calculated results taken from a two-dimensional off-design calculation program with standard loss models. By means of the measured static-pressure rise at the casing wall and the total pressure distributions downstream of the rotor rows, a modification of the loss modeling was performed. The calculated flow field is compared to the results of the 3-hole and 5-hole probe measurements in terms of radial distributions for flow angle. Mach number and total pressure.


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.


1999 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Casartelli ◽  
A. P. Saxer ◽  
G. Gyarmathy

The flow field in a subsonic vaned radial diffuser of a single-stage centrifugal compressor is numerically investigated using a three-dimensional Navier–Stokes solver (TASCflow) and a two-dimensional analysis and inverse-design software package (MISES). The vane geometry is modified in the leading edge area (two-dimensional blade shaping) using MISES, without changing the diffuser throughflow characteristics. An analysis of the two-dimensional and three-dimensional effects of two redesigns on the flow in each of the diffuser subcomponents is performed in terms of static pressure recovery, total pressure loss production, and secondary flow reduction. The computed characteristic lines are compared with measurements, which confirm the improvement obtained by the leading edge redesign in terms of increased pressure rise and operating range.


1990 ◽  
Vol 27 (04) ◽  
pp. 250-256
Author(s):  
Stuart Wilkinson

An experimental aerodynamic boundary-layer investigation is performed over the suction surfaces of a typical two-dimensional mast/sail geometry. Velocity profiles are obtained at a number of locations which, together with visualization data and the corresponding static pressure distribution, are used to describe the fundamental nature of the complex partially separated flow field associated with such geometries. The velocity profiles are fully analyzed to provide thickness parameters and skin friction coefficients, suitable for use as representative data in the development of predictive theories involving viscid-inviscid interactions. The chordwise variations of the thickness parameters are graphically presented and discussed.


2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Jeffrey Moore

Abstract Impeller scallops are intentional cuts in the hub and shroud surfaces at the exit of centrifugal impellers that are intended to prevent high cycle fatigue in these areas. The goal of this analysis is to determine what effect the scallops have on aerodynamic performance, rotordynamic stability, rotating stall criteria, axial thrust, and mechanical shaft power. Furthermore, this study improves the understanding of the interaction with the secondary passage and determines the effect on the flow field entering the diffuser. A 3D viscous CFD model is generated of a single blade passage that couples the primary flow passage with the secondary shroud passage. This approach captures the complex interaction that occurs at the impeller exit due to the presence of the scallops. The predictions show a small penalty in thermodynamic efficiency with the presence of the scallops compared to a baseline case. The results also show a moderate increase in shaft horsepower calculated by integrating static pressure and shear stress acting on the impeller and shroud surfaces. Circumferential swirl in the shroud passage shows only modest increases with the addition of the scallops. Therefore, rotordynamic performance is not significantly affected nor is axial thrust acting on the impeller. The predictions demonstrate the effect the scallops have on the flow field entering the diffuser including variations in flow angle at the impeller exit.


Author(s):  
Teemu Turunen-Saaresti ◽  
Aki-Pekka Gro¨nman ◽  
Ahti Jaatinen

A centrifugal compressor is often equipped with a vaneless diffuser because the operation range of a vaneless diffuser is wider than the operation range of vaned diffuser, and the geometry of the vaneless diffuser is simple and inexpensive. The flow field after the centrifugal compressor rotor is highly complicated and the velocity is high. A moderate amount of this velocity should be recovered to the static pressure. It is important to study the flow field in the vaneless diffuser in order to achieve guidelines for design and an optimal performance. In this article, the experimental study of the pinch in the vaneless diffuser is conducted. Five different diffuser heights were used, b/b2 = 1, b/b2 = 0.903, b/b2 = 0.854, b/b2 = 0.806 and b/b2 = 0.903 (shroud). In three of the cases, the pinch was made to both walls of the diffuser, hub and shroud, and in one case, the pinch was made to the shroud wall. The total and the static pressure, the total temperature and the flow angle were measured at the diffuser inlet and outlet by using a cobra-probe, kiel-probes and flush-mounted pressure taps. In addition, the static pressure in the diffuser was measured at three different radius ratios. The overall performance, the mass flow, the pressure ratio and the isentropic efficiency of the compressor stage were also monitored. Detailed flow field measurements were carried out at the design rotational speed and at the three different mass flows (close to the surge, design and close to the choke). The isentropic efficiency and the pressure ratio of the compressor stage was increased with the pinched diffuser. The efficiency of the rotor and the diffuser was increased, whereas the efficiency of the volute/exit cone was decreased. The pinch made to the shroud wall was the most effective. The pinch made the flow angle more radial and increased the velocity at the shroud where the secondary flow (passage wake) from the rotor is present.


Author(s):  
E. Casartelli ◽  
A. P. Saxer ◽  
G. Gyarmathy

The flow field in a subsonic vaned radial diffuser of a single stage centrifugal compressor is numerically investigated using a 3D Navier-Stokes solver (TASCflow) and a 2D analysis & inverse-design software package (MISES). The vane geometry is modified in the leading edge area (2D blade shaping) using MISES, without changing the diffuser throughflow characteristics. An analysis of the 2D and 3D effects of two redesigns on the flow in each of the diffuser subcomponents is performed in terms of static pressure recovery, total pressure loss production and secondary flow reduction. The computed characteristic lines are compared with measurements, which confirm the improvement obtained by the leading edge redesign in terms of increased pressure rise and operating range.


Author(s):  
S. Fischer ◽  
H. Saathoff ◽  
R. Radespiel

Experimental and numerical results for the flow through a stator cascade with active flow control are discussed. By blowing air through a slot close to the trailing edge of the aerofoils, the deflection angle as well as the static pressure rise in the stator are increased. The aerofoil design is representative for a 1st-stage stator geometry of a multi-stage compressor adapted for low–speed applications. To allow a reasonable transfer of the high-speed results to low-speed wind tunnel conditions, a corresponding cascade geometry was generated applying the Prandtl–Glauert analogy. With this modified cascade numerical simulations and experiments have been conducted at a Reynolds number of 5 · 105. As a reference case two-dimensional flow simulations without circulation control are considered using a Navier–Stokes solver. In the related wind tunnel tests three–dimensional conditions occur in the test rig. Nevertheless five–hole probe measurements in the wake of the blade mid section show a good agreement with the theoretical characteristics. Additional investigation along the whole blade span gives a deeper insight into the flow topology. For design conditions different blowing rates are applied. The wind tunnel tests confirm the positive benefit, which is predicted by two-dimensional calculations. The offset between simulated and measured pressure rise decreases with increasing blowing mass flows due to the reduction of the axial velocity ratio. This result is related to a redistribution of the passage flow which can only be explained in a three–dimensional analysis including the side wall influence. The benefit of the circulation control at varying blowing rates is finally characterized by the efficiency and the static pressure rise per injected energy.


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