Numerical Investigation on Effect of Compressor Performance in Single Rotor With Micro-Vortex Generator

Author(s):  
Shan Ma ◽  
Wuli Chu ◽  
Haoguang Zhang ◽  
Jinhua Lang ◽  
Haiyang Kuang

The performance of axial compressor is considerably influenced by secondary flow, like corner separation between wall and blade in a compressor stage. An extensive experimental study of vortex generator (VG) applied on axial compressor was conducted by many scholars, in order to control these effects and improve the aerodynamic performance. According to their size, they are classified as traditional VGs (h/δ>0.5) and Micro-vortex generators (MVGs, h/δ = 0.1∼0.5).MVGs is one of the hot spots of present research to restrain the secondary flow. In order to investigate the effect of MVGs used in rotor, this study was carried out on Northwestern Polytecnical University rotor (NPU rotor), which is a subsonic axial flow compressor rotor. The Vane-MVGs were placed at a distance of 11% chord length ahead of the leading edge on the end-wall. The characteristic line of 54% (8130RPM), 71% (10792RPM) and 84% (12768RPM) design speed were calculated by steady 3D RANS simulations with Spalart-Allmar turbulence model and compared with the corresponding MVGs cases, respectively. Results show that the stall margins of the 3 speeds with MVGs were larger than baseline, but the efficiency and pressure ratio were reduced in different degrees. In this paper, the flow characteristics at 54% (8130RPM) design speed and the development process of vortex generated by MVGs are analyzed in detail. The influence of MVGs height and stagger angle on rotor performance is also discussed. Moreover, flow simulation of MVGs used on axial compressor single rotor’s hub offered a guideline to future research.

Author(s):  
Ruchika Agarwal ◽  
Sridharan R. Narayanan ◽  
Shraman N. Goswami ◽  
Balamurugan Srinivasan

The performance of axial flow compressor stage can be improved by minimizing the effects of secondary flow and by avoiding flow separation. At higher blade loading, interaction of tip secondary flow and separated flow on blade surface is more near the tip of the rotor. This results in stall and hence decreases compressor performance. A previous study [1] was carried out to improve the performance of a rotating row of blades with the help of Vortex Generators (VGs) and considerable effects were observed. The current investigation is carried out to find out the effect of Vortex Generator (VG) on the performance of a compressor stage. NASA Rotor 37 with NASA Stator 37 (stage) is used as a test case for the current numerical investigation. VGs are placed at different chord wise as well as span wise locations. A mesh sensitivity study has been done so that simulation result is mesh independent. The results of numerical simulation with different geometrical forms and locations of VGs are presented in this paper. The investigation includes a description of the secondary flow effect and separation zone in compressor stage based on numerical as well as experimental results of NASA Rotor 37 with Stator 37 (without VG). It is also observed that the shape and location of the VG impacts the end wall cross flow and flow deflection [1], which result in enhanced stall range.


Author(s):  
Avinash Kumar Rajendran ◽  
M. T. Shobhavathy ◽  
R. Ajith Kumar

The performance of the compressor blade is considerably influenced by secondary flow effects, like the cross flow on the end wall as well as corner flow separation between the wall and the blade. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has been extensively used to analyze the flow through rotating machineries, in general and through axial compressors, in particular. The present work is focused on the studying the effects of Vortex Generator (VG) on test compressor at CSIR National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore, India using CFD. The compressor consists of NACA transonic rotor with 21 blades and subsonic stator with 18 vanes. The design pressure ratio is 1.35 at 12930 RPM with a mass flow rate of 22 kg/s. Three configurations of counter rotating VGs were selected for the analysis with 0.25δ, 0.5δ and δ height, where δ was equal to the physical thickness of boundary layer (8mm) at inlet to the compressor rotor [11]. The vortex generators were placed inside the casing at 18 percent of the chord ahead to the leading edge of the rotor. A total of 63 pairs of VGs were incorporated, with three pairs in one blade passage. Among the three configurations, the first configuration has greater impact on the end wall cross flow and flow deflection which resulted in enhanced numerical stall margin of 3.5% from baseline at design speed. The reasons for this numerical stall margin improvement are discussed in detail.


Author(s):  
Shan Ma ◽  
Wuli Chu ◽  
Haoguang Zhang ◽  
Lanpan Li ◽  
Jinhua Lang

The performance of compressor cascade is considerably influenced by secondary flow. An extensive experimental study of vortex generator (VG) applied on axial compressor was conducted by many scholars, in order to control these effects. Particularly, MVG is one of the hot researches in present to restrain secondary flow. On the foundation of research experience finished by the former scholars, a new Curve-micro vortex generator (C-MVG) was proposed in this paper. In order to investigate the effect of C-MVG on secondary flow in low-Mach number cascade, the present was carried out on a high-loaded axial compressor cascade with incoming flow of Ma<0.3. The experiment of baseline was conducted at a low speed (incompressible) cascade wind tunnel. The C-MVGs were placed on the end-wall at a distance of 7% chord length ahead of passage and a pitch distance of 26 mm from the leading edge of suction side. 8 cases with different spacing and θVGs were calculated. The height of all the C-MVGs were 5 mm and each case was comprised of 3 vanes. At design and stall incidence angle (−1 deg and 8 deg), the total pressure loss coefficient averaged by mass-flow (Loss) in the outlet was analyzed with numerical method of k-omega turbulence model. Different combinations of C-MVGs were compared. Results show that the Loss in 140% axial chord length (Ca) after leading edge was increased on design condition. At 8 deg incidence angle, all cases could delay the inception of separation and decrease loss. The case VGθ3 showed the highest loss reduction benefit of 7.3%, which indicated that C-MVGs could control the large separation area effectively.


Author(s):  
Guoming Zhu ◽  
Xiaolan Liu ◽  
Bo Yang ◽  
Moru Song

Abstract The rotating distortion generated by upstream wakes or low speed flow cells is a kind of phenomenon in the inlet of middle and rear stages of an axial compressor. Highly complex inflow can obviously affect the performance and the stability of these stages, and is needed to be considered during compressor design. In this paper, a series of unsteady computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations is conducted based on a model of an 1-1/2 stage axial compressor to investigate the effects of the distorted inflows near the casing on the compressor performance and the clearance flow. Detailed analysis of the flow field has been performed and interesting results are concluded. The distortions, such as total pressure distortion in circumferential and radial directions, can block the tip region so that the separation loss and the mixing loss in this area are increased, and the efficiency and the total pressure ratio are dropped correspondingly. Besides, the distortions can change the static pressure distribution near the leading edge of the rotor, and make the clearance flow spill out of the rotor edge more easily under near stall condition, especially in the cases with co-rotating distortions. This phenomenon can be used to explain why the stall margin is deteriorated with nonuniform inflows.


Author(s):  
Justin (Jongsik) Oh

In many aerodynamic design parameters for the axial-flow compressor, three variables of tailored blading, blade lean and sweep were considered in the re-design efforts of a transonic single stage which had been designed in 1960’s NASA public domains. As Part 1, the re-design was limited to the stator vane only. For the original MCA (Multiple Circular Arc) blading, which had been applied at all radii, the CDA (Controlled Diffusion Airfoil) blading was introduced at midspan as the first variant, and the endwalls of hub and casing (or tip) were replaced with the DCA (Double Circular Arc) blading for the second variant. Aerodynamic performance was predicted through a series of CFD analysis at design speed, and the best aerodynamic improvement, in terms of pressure ratio/efficiency and operability, was found in the first variant of tailored blading. It was selected as a baseline for the next design efforts with blade lean, sweep and both combined. Among 12 variants, a case of positively and mildly leaned blades was found the most attractive one, relative to the original design, providing benefits of an 1.0% increase of pressure ratio at design flow, an 1.7% increase of efficiency at design flow, a 10.5% increase of the surge margin and a 32.3% increase of the choke margin.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subbaramu Shivaramaiah ◽  
Mahesh K. Varpe

Abstract In the present research work, effect of airfoil vortex generator on performance and stability of transonic compressor stage is investigated through CFD simulations. In turbomachines vortex generators are used to energize boundary and generated vortex is made to interact with tip leakage flow and secondary flow vortices formed in rotor and stator blade passage. In the present numerical investigation symmetrical airfoil vortex generator is placed on rotor casing surface close to leading edge, anticipating that vortex generated will be able to disturb tip leakage flow and its interaction with rotor passage core flow. Six different vortex generator configuration are investigated by varying distance between vortex generator trailing edge and rotor leading edge. Particular vortex generator configuration shows maximum improvement of stall margin and operating range by 5.5% and 76.75% respectively. Presence of vortex generator alters flow blockage by modifying flow field in rotor tip region and hence contributes to enhancement of stall margin. As a negative effect, interaction of vortex generator vortices and casing causes surface friction and high entropy generation. As a result compressor stage pressure ratio and efficiency decreases.


Author(s):  
Yuan Liu ◽  
Manuj Dhingra ◽  
J. V. R. Prasad

This paper presents a method for estimating compressor stall margin and the results of applying the estimation technique to an axial compressor rig. Stall margin estimation is accomplished through the use of a compressor stability detection parameter called the “correlation measure.” The correlation measure captures the periodicity of the pressure in the rotor tip region of the compressor. The downcrossing frequency of the correlation measure across some preset threshold is measured while operating the compressor rig at various steady-state points along the design speed characteristic line. These measurements are used to generate a relationship with stall margin as a function of downcrossing frequency. The estimation technique is evaluated by applying it while dynamically ramping the operating point of the compressor up the design speed line towards surge. A brief investigation on the effects of inlet distortions on the correlation measure-based estimation system is also given.


2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Eck ◽  
Roland Rückert ◽  
Dieter Peitsch ◽  
Marc Lehmann

Abstract The aim of the present paper is to improve the physical understanding of discrete prestall flow disturbances developing in the tip area of the compressor rotor. For this purpose, a complementary instrumentation was used in a single-stage axial compressor. A set of pressure transducers evenly distributed along the circumference surface mounted in the casing near the rotor tip leading edges measures the time-resolved wall pressures simultaneously to an array of transducers recording the chordwise static pressures. The latter allows for plotting quasi-instantaneous casing pressure contours. Any occurring flow disturbances can be properly classified using validated frequency analysis methods applied to the data from the circumferential sensors. While leaving the flow coefficient constant, a continuously changing number of prestall flow disturbances appears to be causing a unique spectral signature, which is known from investigations on rotating instability. Any arising number of disturbances is matching a specific mode order found within this signature. While the flow coefficient is reduced, the propagation speed of prestall disturbances increases linearly, and meanwhile, the speed seems to be independent from the clearance size. Casing contour plots phase-locked to the rotor additionally provide a strong hint on prestall disturbances clearly not to be caused by a leading edge separation. Data taken beyond the stalling limit demonstrate a complex superposition of stall cells and flow disturbances, which the title “prestall disturbance” therefore does not fit to precisely any more. Different convection speeds allow the phenomena to be clearly distinguished from each other. Furthermore, statistical analysis of the pressure fluctuations caused by the prestall disturbances offer the potential to use them as a stall precursor or to quantify the deterioration of the clearance height between the rotor blade tips and the casing wall during the lifetime of an engine.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuefei Du ◽  
Dengtao Yu ◽  
Dan Luo ◽  
Diangui Huang

Abstract Based on the design of the supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO2) centripetal compressor, this paper adopts the orthogonal design test method to optimize the pear-shaped volute, designs the front guide vane with the third-order Bezier curve, and designs the outlet by the equal section method. The numerical simulation calculation and analysis of the design conditions and variable conditions of the SCO2 centripetal compressor are carried out. The results at design conditions show that the isentropic efficiency is 92%, the pressure ratio is 1.21, and the mass flow rate is 195.9 kg/s, which is close to the thermal design and level simulation results; the results of variable conditions show that the efficiency of the SCO2 centripetal compressor-flow and pressure ratio-flow characteristic line is similar to that of multistage axial flow compressor. The supercritical carbon dioxide centripetal compressor designed in this paper meets the design requirements, and its feasibility is proved through numerical simulation.


1987 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 388-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Wennerstrom

Between 1970 and 1974, ten variants of a supersonic axial compressor stage were designed and tested. These included two rotor configurations, three rotor tip clearances, addition of boundary-layer control consisting of vortex generators on both the outer casing and the rotor, and the introduction of slots in the stator vanes. Design performance objectives were a stage total pressure ratio of 3.0 with an isentropic efficiency of 0.82 at a tip speed of 1600 ft/s (488 m/s). The first configuration passed only 70 percent of design flow at design speed, achieving a stage pressure ratio of 2.25 at a peak stage isentropic efficiency of 0.61. The rotor was grossly separated. The tenth variant passed 91.4 percent of design flow at design speed, producing a stage pressure ratio of 3.03 with an isentropic efficiency of 0.75. The rotor achieved a pressure ratio of 3.59 at an efficiency of 0.87 under the same conditions. Major conclusions were that design tools available today would undoubtedly permit the original goals to be met or exceeded. However, the application for such a design is currently questionable because efficiency goals considered acceptable for most current programs have risen considerably from the level considered acceptable at the inception of this effort. Splitter vanes placed in the rotor permitted very high diffusion levels to be achieved without stalling. However, viscous effects causing three-dimensional flows violating the assumption of flow confined to concentric stream tubes were so strong that a geometry optimization does not appear practical without a three-dimensional, viscous analysis. Passive boundary-layer control in the form of vortex generators and slots does appear to offer some benefit under certain circumstances.


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