A Passive Flow Control to Mitigate the Corner Separation in an Axial Compressor by a Slotted Rotor Blade

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sungho Yoon ◽  
Rao Ajay ◽  
Venkata Chaluvadi ◽  
Vittorio Michelassi ◽  
Ramakrishna Mallina
Keyword(s):  
Flow Control ◽  
Rotor Blade ◽  
Substantial Reduction ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Pressure Side ◽  
Stall Margin ◽  
Radial Migration ◽  
Corner Separation

Abstract The operability of the axial compressor is generally limited by endwall flows; either at the casing mainly due to the tip leakage flows or at the hub mainly due to three-dimensional corner separations. Therefore, it is crucial to improve flows near the endwalls to enhance the operability of the compressor. Based on a last-stage with cantilevered stator vanes, a small endwall slot was introduced to a rotor blade to mitigate the hub corner separation and maximize the aerodynamic operating range of axial compressors by natural aspiration. The developed flow control technology is numerically analyzed based on the in-house High-Speed Research Compressor (HSRC) which, in turn, represents the rear stage of a modern compressor. This compressor was predicted to stall due to hub corner separation on a rotor blade based on multistage CFD analysis. A small spanwise endwall slot, connecting the pressure side and the suction side of a compressor rotor blade, was introduced near the hub to provide the by-pass flows from the pressure side to the suction side (see Figure 1). This naturally-aspirated jet significantly reduced the three-dimensional corner separation which generally occurs where the suction side meets the hub. The substantial reduction of the three-dimensional corner separation, in turn, improved the aerodynamic stall margin of the compressor. The benefit is accomplished because the low momentum region near the hub was energized due to the naturally-aspirated jet through the endwall slot and the radial migration of the low momentum flow on the suction side was significantly reduced. A systematic parametric study was conducted to better understand the flow details and optimize the flow control without sacrificing aerodynamic efficiency. It was discovered that a very small slot, smaller than 10% of span, located near the endwall, was sufficient to have a more than 6% improvement of the stall margin with a negligible efficiency penalty (less than 0.1%). The naturally-aspirated flow through the small slot eliminates the source of the corner separation at the hub platform by strengthening the flow near the hub. This, in turn, reduces the overall aerodynamic blockage by decreasing the radial migration of the low momentum flow over a third of the span. Finally, evaluations of the mechanical strength and structural dynamics of slotted rotor blades, as well as the aerodynamic impact in a multi-stage environment were conducted and its results were discussed.

Experimental Characterization of the Evolution of Global Flow Structure in the Passage of an Axial Compressor

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayush Saraswat ◽  
Subhra Shankha Koley ◽  
Joseph Katz
Keyword(s):  
Flow Structure ◽  
Rotor Blade ◽  
Incidence Angle ◽  
Substantial Reduction ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Rotor Wake ◽  
Tip Leakage ◽  
Blade Tip

Abstract Ongoing experiments conducted in a one-and-half stages axial compressor installed in the JHU refractive index-matched facility investigate the evolution of flow structure across blade rows. After previously focusing only on the rotor tip region, the present stereo-PIV (SPIV) measurements are performed in a series of axial planes covering an entire passage across the machine, including upstream of the IGV, IGV-rotor gap, rotor-stator gap, and downstream of the stator. The measurements are performed at flow rates corresponding to pre-stall condition and best efficiency point (BEP). Data are acquired for various rotor-blade orientations relative to the IGV and stator blades. The results show that at BEP, the wakes of IGV and rotor are much more distinct and the wake signatures of one row persists downstream of the next, e.g., the flow downstream of the stator is strongly affected by the rotor orientation. In contrast, under pre-stall conditions, the rotor orientation has minimal effect on the flow structure downstream of the stator. However, the wakes of the stator blades, where the axial momentum is low, are now wider. For both conditions, the flow downstream of the rotor is characterized by two regions of axial momentum deficit in addition to the rotor wake. A deficit on the pressure side of the rotor wake tip is associated with the tip leakage vortex (TLV) of the previous rotor blade, and is much broader at pre-stall condition. A deficit on the suction side of the rotor wake near the hub appears to be associated with the hub vortex generated by the neighboring blade, and is broader at BEP. At pre-stall, while the axial momentum upstream of the rotor decreases over the entire tip region, it is particularly evident near the rotor blade tip, where the instantaneous axial velocity becomes intermittently negative. Downstream of the rotor, there is a substantial reduction in mean axial momentum in the upper half of the passage, concurrently with an increase in the circumferential velocity. Consequently, the incidence angle upstream of the stator increases in certain regions by up to 30 degrees. These observations suggest that while the onset of the stall originates from the rotor tip flow, one must examine its impact on the flow structure in the stator passage as well.

scholarly journals Investigation of Vortical Structures and Turbulence Characteristics in Corner Separation in an Axial Compressor Stator Using DDES

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2123
Author(s):  
Jun Li ◽  
Jun Hu ◽  
Chenkai Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Turbulence Energy ◽  
Separation Flow ◽  
Mechanism Analysis ◽  
Separation Region ◽  
Detached Eddy Simulation ◽  
Vortical Structures ◽  
Corner Separation

In order to investigate the flow structure and unsteady behavior of three-dimensional corner separation, a delayed detached-eddy simulation (DDES) method based on the Spalart–Allmaras (SA) model is performed on the third-stage stator of a multistage low-speed axial compressor. The stator simulation is validated by experiments before flow mechanism analysis. The complicated flow fields in the stator are then described step by step. Firstly, the structure and development process of vortices in corner separation flow are analyzed. Secondly, the velocity histogram of the monitor points in the mainstream and corner separation regions is obtained, and the velocity distribution of the corner separation region is discussed. Finally, Reynolds stress, Lumley anisotropy, turbulence energy spectra, and helicity density are discussed to understand the turbulence behavior of the corner separation flow in the stator. The results show that the corner separation appears at even the design condition and different kinds of vortical structures appear in the stator hub corner. The unsteadiness of corner separation flow is mainly reflected in the separation on the suction side of the blade and the wake shedding. Turbulence anisotropy and energy backscatter are found to be dominant in the separation region, which is correlated to the high shear stress.

A Criterion for Axial Compressor Hub-Corner Stall

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. M. Lei ◽  
Z. S. Spakovszky ◽  
E. M. Greitzer
Keyword(s):  
Flow Control ◽  
Substantial Reduction ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Diffusion Parameter ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Diffusion Limit ◽  
Specific Flow ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Flow Variables

This paper presents a new criterion for estimating the size and strength of three-dimensional hub-corner stall in rotors and shrouded stators of multi-stage axial compressors. A simple, first-of-a-kind description for the formation of hub-corner stall is derived, consisting of (i) a stall indicator, which quantifies the extent of the reversed flow via the local blade loading and thus indicates whether corner stall occurs, and (ii) a diffusion parameter which defines the diffusion limit. The stall indicator can be cast in terms of a Zweifel loading coefficient. The diffusion parameter is based on preliminary design type flow variables and geometry. Computational simulations and single and multi-stage compressor data are used to show the applicability of the criterion over a range of blade design parameters. The criterion also enables determination of specific flow control actions needed to mitigate hub-corner stall. To illustrate the latter a flow control blade, designed using the ideas developed, is seen to achieve a substantial reduction in the flow non-uniformity associated with hub-corner stall.

Stator-Averaged, Rotor Blade-to-Blade Near-Wall Flow in a Multistage Axial Compressor With Tip Clearance Variation

1992 ◽  
Vol 114 (3) ◽  
pp. 668-674 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. N. Moyle ◽  
G. J. Walker ◽  
R. P. Shreeve
Keyword(s):  
Rotor Blade ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Pressure Side ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Rotor Wall ◽  
Blade Tip ◽  
Wall Flow ◽  
Multistage Axial Compressor

This paper describes the effect of tip clearance changes on the pressure at the case wall of a second-stage rotor. Wall shear distributions under the rotor tip are also presented. The results show low-pressure areas extending along the rotor suction side but lying away from the blade. Pressure contours indicate the tangential loading at the tip is lower than predicted by two-dimensional calculations; however, the predicted loading is observed between the lowest pressure’s path in the passage and the blade pressure side. The results suggest that a viscous or shearing layer, due to blade-to-wall relative motion, is generated on the blade side of the tip gap, which modifies the inviscid relative flow field and produces an unloading on the blade tip.

A Criterion for Axial Compressor Hub-Corner Stall

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
V.-M. Lei ◽  
Z. S. Spakovszky ◽  
E. M. Greitzer
Keyword(s):  
Flow Control ◽  
Substantial Reduction ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Design Flow ◽  
Diffusion Parameter ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Diffusion Limit ◽  
Specific Flow ◽  
Flow Variables

This paper presents a new criterion for estimating the onset of three-dimensional hub-corner stall in axial compressor rotors and shrouded stators. A simple first-of-a-kind description of hub-corner stall formation is developed which consists of (i) a stall indicator, which quantifies the extent of the separated region via the local blade loading and thus indicates whether hub-corner stall occurs, and (ii) a diffusion parameter, which defines the diffusion limit for unstalled operation. The stall indicator can be cast in terms of a Zweifel loading coefficient. The diffusion parameter is based on preliminary design flow variables and geometry. Computational simulations and single and multistage compressor data are used to show the applicability of the criterion over a range of blade design parameters. The criterion also enables determination of specific flow control actions to mitigate hub-corner stall. As an illustration, a flow control blade, designed using the ideas developed, is seen to produce a substantial reduction in the flow nonuniformity associated with hub-corner stall.

scholarly journals Stator Averaged, Rotor Blade-to-Blade Near Wall Flow in a Multistage Axial Compressor With Tip Clearance Variation

1991 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. N. Moyle ◽  
G. J. Walker ◽  
R. P. Shreeve
Keyword(s):  
Rotor Blade ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Pressure Side ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Rotor Wall ◽  
Blade Tip ◽  
Wall Flow ◽  
Multistage Axial Compressor

This paper describes the effect of tip clearance changes on the pressure at the case wall of a second stage rotor. Wall shear distributions under the rotor tip are also presented. The results show low pressure areas extending along the rotor suction side but lying away from the blade. Pressure contours indicate the tangential loading at the tip is lower than predicted by two dimensional calculations, however, the predicted loading is observed between the lowest pressure’s path in the passage and the blade pressure side. The results suggest a viscous or shearing layer, due to blade-to-wall relative motion, is generated on the blade side of the tip gap which modifies the inviscid relative flow field and produces an unloading on the blade tip.

Numerical Investigation on the Effect of Vortex Generator on Axial Compressor Performance

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruchika Agarwal ◽  
Anand Dhamarla ◽  
Sridharan R. Narayanan ◽  
Shraman N. Goswami ◽  
Balamurugan Srinivasan
Keyword(s):  
Cross Flow ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Vortex Generator ◽  
Side Surface ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Stall Margin ◽  
Layer Flow ◽  
Flow Effects ◽  
End Wall

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. The present work is focused on the studying the effects of Vortex Generator (VG) on NASA Rotor 37 test case using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). VG helps in controlling the inception of the stall by generating vortices and energizes the low momentum boundary layer flow which enhances the rotor performance. Three design configuration namely, Counter-rotating, Co-rotating and Plow configuration VG are selected based on the improved aerodynamic performance discussed in reference [1]. These VG are located at 90% span and 42% chord on suction side surface of the blade. 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 5.4% from baseline. The reasons for this numerical stall margin improvement are discussed in detail.

Effect of tip clearance size on the performance of a low-reaction transonic axial compressor rotor

2019 ◽  
Vol 234 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-142
Author(s):  
Wei Zhu ◽  
Songtao Wang ◽  
Longxin Zhang ◽  
Jun Ding ◽  
Zhongqi Wang
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Stall Margin ◽  
Tip Clearance Flow ◽  
Compressor Rotor ◽  
Clearance Flow ◽  
Flow Phenomena

This study aimed to enhance the understanding of flow phenomena in low-reaction aspirated compressors. Three-dimensional, multi-passage steady and unsteady numerical simulations are performed to investigate the performance sensitivity to tip clearance variation on the first-stage rotor of a multistage low-reaction aspirated compressor. Three kinds of tip clearance sizes including 1.0τ, 2.0τ and 3.0τ are modeled, in which 1.0τ corresponds to the designed tip clearance size of 0.2 mm. The steady numerical simulations show that the overall performance of the rotor moves toward lower mass flow rate when the tip clearance size is increased. Moreover, energy losses, efficiency reduction and stall margin decrease are also observed with increasing tip clearance size. This can be mostly attributed to the damaging impact of intense tip clearance flow. For unsteady simulation, the result shows periodical oscillation of the tip leakage vortex and a “two-passage periodic structure” in the tip region at the near-stall point. The occurrence of the periodical oscillation is due to the severe interaction between the tip clearance flow and the shock wave. However, the rotor operating state is still stable at this working point because a dynamic balance is established between the tip clearance flow and incoming flow.

scholarly journals Optimization Design of a 2.5 Stage Highly Loaded Axial Compressor with a Bezier Surface Modeling Method

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 3860
Author(s):  
Song Huang ◽  
Jinxin Cheng ◽  
Chengwu Yang ◽  
Chuangxin Zhou ◽  
Shengfeng Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Dimensional Space ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
High Dimensions ◽  
Peak Efficiency ◽  
Stall Margin ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Highly Loaded ◽  
Three Dimensional Space

Due to the complexity of the internal flow field of compressors, the aerodynamic design and optimization of a highly loaded axial compressor with high performance still have three problems, which are rich engineering design experience, high dimensions, and time-consuming calculations. To overcome these three problems, this paper takes an engineering-designed 2.5-stage highly loaded axial flow compressor as an example to introduce the design process and the adopted design philosophies. Then, this paper verifies the numerical method of computational fluid dynamics. A new Bezier surface modeling method for the entire suction surface and pressure surface of blades is developed, and the multi-island genetic algorithm is directly used for further optimization. Only 32 optimization variables are used to optimize the rotors and stators of the compressor, which greatly overcome the problem of high dimensions, time-consuming calculations, and smooth blade surfaces. After optimization, compared with the original compressor, the peak efficiency is still improved by 0.12%, and the stall margin is increased by 2.69%. The increase in peak efficiency is mainly due to the rotors. Compared with the original compressor, for the second-stage rotor, the adiabatic efficiency is improved by about 0.4%, which is mainly due to the decreases of total pressure losses in the range of above 30% of the span height and 10%–30% of the chord length. Besides, for the original compressor, due to deterioration of the flow field near the tip region of the second-stage stator, the large low-speed region eventually evolves from corner separation into corner stall with three-dimensional space spiral backflow. For the optimized compressor, the main reason for the increased stall margin is that the flow field of the second-stage stator with a span height above 50% is improved, and the separation area and three-dimensional space spiral backflow are reduced.

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