Studies on Downstream Stator With Rotor Re-Staggering and Forward Sweeping in a Subsonic Axial Compressor Stage

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. V. Ramakrishna ◽  
M. Govardhan
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Computational Model ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Axial Distance ◽  
Compressor Stage ◽  
Numerical Work ◽  
Stagger Angle

The present numerical work studies the flow field in subsonic axial compressor stator passages for: (a) preceding rotor sweep (b) preceding rotor re-staggering (three stagger angle changes: 0°, +3° and +5°); and (c) stator sweeping (two 20° forward sweep schemes). The following are the motives for the study: at the off-design conditions, compressor rotors are re-staggered to alleviate the stage mismatching by adjusting the rows to the operating flow incidence. Fundamental to this is the understanding of the effects of rotor re-staggering on the downstream component. Secondly, sweeping the rotor stages alters the axial distance between the successive rotor-stator stages and necessitates that the stator vanes must also be swept. To the best of the author’s knowledge, stator sweeping to suit such scenarios has not been reported. The computational model for the study utilizes well resolved hexahedral grids. A commercial CFD package ANSYS® CFX 11.0 was used with standard k-ω turbulence model for the simulations. CFD results were well validated with experiments. The following observations were made: (1) When the rotor passage is closed by re-staggering, with the same mass flow rate and the same stator passage area, stators were subjected to negative incidences. (2) Effect of stator sweeping on the upstream rotor flow field is insignificant. Comparison of total pressure rise carried by the downstream stators suggests that an appropriate redesign of stator is essential to match with the swept rotors. (3) While sweeping the stator is not recommended, axial sweeping is preferable over true sweeping when it is necessary.

Combined Effects of Forward Sweep and Tip Clearance on the Performance of Axial Flow Compressor Stage

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. V. Ramakrishna ◽  
M. Govardhan
Keyword(s):  
Total Pressure ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Numerical Work ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Operating Range ◽  
Axial Flow Compressor ◽  
Flow Compressor

There are a number of performance indices for a turbomachine on the basis of which its strength is evaluated. In the case of axial compressors, pressure ratio, efficiency and stall margin are few such indices which are of major concern in the design phase as well as in the evaluation of performance of the machine. In the process of improving the blade design, 3D blade stacking, where the aerofoil sections constituting the blade are moved in relation to the flow. Tilting the blade sections to the flow direction (blade sweep) would increase the operating range of an axial compressor due to modifications in the pressure and velocity fields on the suction surface. On the other hand, blade tip gap, though finite, has great influence on the performance of a turbomachine. The present work investigates the combined effect of these two factors on various flow characteristics in a low speed axial flow compressor. The objective of the present paper is thereby confined to study the collective effects of sweep and tip clearance without attempting to suggest an outright new design. In the present numerical work, the performance of Tip Chordline Sweeping (TCS) and Axial Sweeping (AXS) of low speed axial compressor rotor blades are studied. For this, 15 computational domains were modeled for five rotor sweep configurations and three different clearance levels for each rotor. Through the results, 20°AXS rotor is found to be distinctive among all the rotors with highest pressure rise, higher operating range and less tip clearance loss characteristics. TCS rotors produced improved total pressure rise at the low flow coefficients when the tip gap is increased. Hence there is a chance that an “optimum” tip gap exists for the TCS rotors in terms of total pressure coefficient and operating range, while AXS rotors are at their best with the minimum possible clearance.

Aerodynamic-Rotordynamic Interaction in Axial Compression Systems—Part I: Modeling and Analysis of Fluid-Induced Forces

2003 ◽  
Vol 125 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-415
Author(s):  
Ammar A. Al-Nahwi ◽  
James D. Paduano ◽  
Samir A. Nayfeh
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Analytical Models ◽  
Modeling And Analysis ◽  
Equal Importance ◽  
Consistent Treatment

This paper presents a first principles-based model of the fluid-induced forces acting on the rotor of an axial compressor. These forces are primarily associated with the presence of a nonuniform flow field around the rotor, such as that produced by a rotor tip clearance asymmetry. Simple, analytical expressions for the forces as functions of basic flow field quantities are obtained. These expressions allow an intuitive understanding of the nature of the forces and—when combined with a rudimentary model of an axial compressor flow field (the Moore-Greitzer model)—enable computation of the forces as a function of compressor geometry, torque and pressure-rise characteristics, and operating point. The forces predicted by the model are also compared to recently published measurements and more complex analytical models, and are found to be in reasonable agreement. The model elucidates that the fluid-induced forces comprise three main contributions: fluid turning in the rotor blades, pressure distribution around the rotor, and unsteady momentum storage within the rotor. The model also confirms recent efforts in that the orientation of fluid-induced forces is locked to the flow nonuniformity, not to tip clearance asymmetry as is traditionally assumed. The turning and pressure force contributions are shown to be of comparable magnitudes—and therefore of equal importance—for operating points between the design point and the peak of the compressor characteristic. Within this operating range, both “forward” and “backward” rotor whirl tendencies are shown to be possible. This work extends recent efforts by developing a more complete, yet compact, description of fluid-induced forces in that it accounts for all relevant force contributions, both tangential and radial, that may influence the dynamics of the rotor. Hence it constitutes an essential element of a consistent treatment of rotordynamic stability under the action of fluid-induced forces, which is the subject of Part II of this paper.

Numerical Investigation of Effect of Inlet Distortion on Compressor Flow Field and Stability

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
HaoGuang Zhang ◽  
Kang An ◽  
Feng Tan ◽  
YanHui Wu ◽  
WuLi Chu
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Numerical Work ◽  
Stall Margin ◽  
Numerical Investigations ◽  
Inlet Distortion ◽  
Compressor Rotor ◽  
The Stability

The compressor aerodynamic design is conducted under the condition of clean inlet in general, but a compressor often operates under the condition of inlet distortion in the practical application. It has been proven by a lot of experimental and numerical investigations that inlet distortion can decrease the performance and stability of compressors. The circumferential or radial distorted inlet in mostly numerical investigations is made by changing the total pressure and total temperature in the inlet ring surface of the compressors. In most of inlet distortion experiments, distorted inlets are usually created by using wire net, flashboards, barriers or the generator of rotating distortion. The fashion of generating distorted inlet for experiment is different from that for numerical simulation. Consequently, the flow mechanism of affecting the flow field and stability of a compressor with distorted inlet for experiment is partly different than that for numerical simulation. In the numerical work reported here, the inlet distortion is generated by setting some barriers in the inlet ring surface of an axial subsonic compressor rotor. Two kinds of distorted inlet are investigated to exploring the effect of distorted range on the flow field and stability of the compressor with ten-passage unsteady numerical method. The numerical results show that the inlet distortions not only degrade the total pressure and efficiency of the compressor rotor, but also decrease the stability of the rotor. The larger the range of distorted inlet is, the stronger the adverse effect is. The comprehensive stall margin for the inlet distortion of 24 degrees and 48 degrees of ten-passages is reduced about 3.35% and 5.88% respectively. The detailed analysis of the flow field in the compressor indicates that the blockage resulted from tip clearance leakage vortex (TLV) and the flow separation near the suction surfaces of some blades tip for distorted inlet is more serious than that resulted from TLV for clean inlet. Moreover, the larger the range of distorted inlet is, the larger the range of the blockage is. The analysis of unsteady flow shows that during this process, which is that one rotor blade passes through the region affected by the distorted inlet, the range of the blockage in the rotor passage increases first, then reduces, and increases last.

The Influence of Geometry Deformation on a Multistage Compressor

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Teng ◽  
WuLi Chu ◽  
HaoGuang Zhang ◽  
Kai Liu ◽  
JinGe Li
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Field Analysis ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
Time Operation ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Multistage Compressor ◽  
Stagger Angle

Over the service time, the rotating parts of turbine engine vary in their geometry. When aircraft take off or fly through a volcanic ash cloud, the particles are sucked into the engine, impinge the blade and gradually erode the surface. The impinging between particles and blades is responsible for the increase of the surface roughness. Also, during the long-time operation, the function of the blade’s stacking law combined with the centrifugal force could cause deviation of the stagger angle. Moreover, blade tip clearance could vary because of the casing deformation. All the deformation of geometry could severely reduce the engine performance and thus engine life. The work presented in this paper focused on the influence of geometry deformation in a real low-pressure compressor. The investigation is more difficult than most of the previously published researches with a total of five stages being considered. Due to the irregularities in geometry, it is difficult to numerically assess the performance of the compressor. The aim of this study is to give an analysis method that allows an efficient and accurate estimation of the performance for multistage compressor with geometry deformation. In the first step, the geometry models with different deviation in tip clearance, roughness and stagger angle were established respectively. A CFD study was then applied to the compressor with RANS method to calculate the flow field with different types of deformation. The variation of overall performance due to the deformation was finally analyzed to identify the dominant factor on influencing the performance of the compressor among different types of geometry deformation. A method based on polytropic efficiency analysis and flow field analysis was also established to specifically analyze which stage is most sensitive to the geometry deformation. The results show a significant influence of geometric deformation on the efficiency, total pressure rise and flow range of the multistage compressor. The conclusions of this study would provide an important guidance for engine overhaul in the factory.

Aerodynamic-Rotordynamic Interaction in Axial Compression Systems: Part I — Modeling and Analysis of Fluid-Induced Forces

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ammar A. Al-Nahwi ◽  
James D. Paduano ◽  
Samir A. Nayfeh
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Analytical Models ◽  
Modeling And Analysis ◽  
Equal Importance ◽  
Consistent Treatment

This paper presents a first principles-based model of the fluid-induced forces acting on the rotor of an axial compressor. These forces are primarily associated with the presence of a nonuniform flow field around the rotor, such as that produced by a rotor tip clearance asymmetry. Simple, analytical expressions for the forces as functions of basic flow field quantities are obtained. These expressions allow an intuitive understanding of the nature of the forces and—when combined with a rudimentary model of an axial compressor flow field (the Moore-Greitzer model)—enable computation of the forces as a function of compressor geometry, torque and pressure-rise characteristics, and operating point. The forces predicted by the model are also compared to recently published measurements and more complex analytical models, and are found to be in reasonable agreement. The model elucidates that the fluid-induced forces comprise three main contributions: fluid turning in the rotor blades, pressure distribution around the rotor, and unsteady momentum storage within the rotor. The model also confirms recent efforts in that the orientation of fluid-induced forces is locked to the flow nonuniformity, not to tip clearance asymmetry as is traditionally assumed. The turning and pressure force contributions are shown to be of comparable magnitudes—and therefore of equal importance—for operating points between the design point and the peak of the compressor characteristic. Within this operating range, both “forward” and “backward” rotor whirl tendencies are shown to be possible. This work extends recent efforts by developing a more complete, yet compact, description of fluid-induced forces in that it accounts for all relevant force contributions, both tangential and radial, that may influence the dynamics of the rotor. Hence it constitutes an essential element of a consistent treatment of rotordynamic stability under the action of fluid-induced forces, which is the subject of Part II of this paper.

Effect of Tip Gap Variation on the Performance of the Transonic Fan Stage With Tandem Stator

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Ananthakrishnan ◽  
Shyama Prasad Das ◽  
B. V. S. S. S. Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Compressor Stage ◽  
Tip Leakage ◽  
Pressure Loss Coefficient ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Transonic Fan ◽  
Total Pressure Loss Coefficient ◽  
Transonic Rotor

Abstract The main goal of modern axial compressor development is to increase the power to weight ratio with higher efficiency. In the present investigation, highly loaded single stage axial compressor with tandem stator vanes is used. Tandem vanes help in attaining the compact compressor stage along with high pressure loading. It is designed for a stage pressure ratio of 2, mass flow rate of 9.02 kg/s operating at 30800 rpm resulting in transonic flow field. The aerodynamic performance of this compressor detoriates due to the tip leakage and secondary flows. Steady-state numerical investigation is carried out to study the flow structures near the tip region of transonic rotor and how different tip gaps influence the overall performance of the compressor. Further the effects of tip leakage flow variation on the performance of tandem vanes are also highlighted. Transonic fan stage with baseline tip gap of 0.5mm is analyzed along with different tip clearance values ranging from 0 % to 3 % of axial chord. Three-dimensional viscous Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) equations are solved using SST k-ω turbulence model. Computational domain discretized with high quality hexahedral elements (Y+ < 2) in AUTOGRID, Numeca. The numerical procedure is verified against the experimental results of Rotor37 transonic rotor test case. Tip leakage losses contribute a substantial amount to the total loss of stage. Overall performance and the stall characteristics for the compressor stage has been evaluated for different tip gap variations.. Further, the topological properties are exploited to visualize the critical points and separation lines on rotor and tandem vanes. Increase in rotor total pressure loss coefficient is observed with increasing tip gap. In contrary, overall total pressure loss coefficient improves for smaller tip gap values and then detoriates. It is observed optimum tip gap height lies close to the 1.125mm, 2% of baseline design value.

Numerical Analysis to Investigate the Effect of Swept Rotor on the Overall Performance of a Transonic Compressor Stage

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shobhavathy M. Thimmaiah ◽  
Ramesha Gurikelu ◽  
Nisha Sherief
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Stability Margin ◽  
Compressor Stage ◽  
Operating Range ◽  
Transonic Compressor ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Design Speed ◽  
The Stability

This paper presents the steady state numerical analyses carried out to investigate the effect of forward and backward swept rotor on the overall performance and stability margin of single stage transonic axial flow compressor. Initially, the analyses were carried out on a radially stacked rotor/baseline configuration and obtained the overall performance map of the compressor stage. These results were compared with the available experimental data for validation. Further, investigations were carried out on geometrically modified rotor with six configurations having 5, 10 and 15° forward and backward sweep. A commercial 3-Dimensional CFD package, ANSYS FLUENT was used to compute the complex flow field of transonic compressor rotors. The flow field structures were studied with the help of Mach number total pressure contours. The results of modified rotor geometry indicated that the peak adiabatic efficiency and the total pressure ratio for all the tested forward and backward swept rotor configurations are marginally higher than that of the baseline configuration at all speeds. The operating ranges of all the swept rotor configurations are found to be higher than that of the baseline configuration. The operating range is broader at lower operating speeds than at design speed condition. Rotor with 10° forward sweep and 5° backward sweep indicated the noteworthy improvement in the operating range against the baseline configuration. The stability margin of 11.3, 6.6, 5.2 and 3.5% at 60, 80, 90 and 100% of the design speed respectively compared to the baseline configuration obtained from 10° forward sweep. Rotor with 5° backward sweep showed the stability margin of 12, 4, 3.9 and 3% at 60, 80, 90 and 100% of the design speed respectively compared to the baseline configuration.

Experimental Investigation of the Steady and Unsteady Flow Field in a Single Stage Low Pressure Axial Compressor With a Circumferential Groove Casing Treatment

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Van de Wyer ◽  
B. Farkas ◽  
J. Desset ◽  
J. F. Brouckaert ◽  
J.-F. Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Investigation ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Unsteady Flow ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Single Stage ◽  
Compressor Stage ◽  
Casing Treatment ◽  
Circumferential Groove

This paper deals with the experimental investigation of the influence of a circumferential groove casing treatment on the performance and stability margin of a single stage low pressure axial compressor. The design of the compressor stage is representative of a booster stage for the new counter-rotating turbofan engine architecture and is characterized by unusually high loading and flow coefficients. The choice of the circumferential groove is described on the basis of a numerical parametric study on the number of grooves, the axial position, the depth and width of the groove. The experiments were performed at a Reynolds number corresponding to cruise conditions in the von Karman Institute closed loop high speed compressor test rig R4. The detailed performance characterization of the compressor stage with casing treatment was mapped at four operating points from choke to stall at design speed. The compressor stall limit was determined at several other off-design speeds. Detailed steady and unsteady measurements were performed to determine the flow field characteristics of the rotor and of the complete stage. Conventional pressure, temperature and directional probes were used along with fast response pressure sensors in the rotor casing and in the groove. Simultaneous traverses with a fast response total pressure probe were used to map the unsteady flow field at the rotor exit allowing an experimental capture of the tip leakage vortex path and extension through the rotor passage. A comparison of the flow features with and without casing treatment was performed and the results are discussed against 3D viscous computational predictions. The casing treatment did not present any improvement of the compressor stall margin but no significant performance degradation was observed either. The CFD predictions showed a good agreement with the measurements and their analysis supported the experimental results.

Experimental Investigation of Aspiration in a Multi-Stage High-Speed Axial-Compressor

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Siemann ◽  
Ingolf Krenz ◽  
Joerg R. Seume
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Reference Configuration ◽  
Corner Separation ◽  
Part Load ◽  
Total Pressure Ratio ◽  
Isentropic Efficiency

Reducing the fuel consumption is a main objective in the development of modern aircraft engines. Focusing on aircraft for mid-range flight distances, a significant potential to increase the engines overall efficiency at off-design conditions exists in reducing secondary flow losses of the compressor. For this purpose, Active Flow Control (AFC) by aspiration or injection of fluid at near wall regions is a promising approach. To experimentally investigate the aerodynamic benefits of AFC by aspiration, a 4½-stage high-speed axial-compressor at the Leibniz Universitaet Hannover was equipped with one AFC stator row. The numerical design of the AFC-stator showed significant hub corner separations in the first and second stator for the reference configuration at the 80% part-load speed-line near stall. Through the application of aspiration at the first stator, the numerical simulations predict the complete suppression of the corner separation not only in the first, but also in the second stator. This leads to a relative increase in overall isentropic efficiency of 1.47% and in overall total pressure ratio of 4.16% compared to the reference configuration. To put aspiration into practice, the high-speed axial-compressor was then equipped with a secondary air system and the AFC stator row in the first stage. All experiments with AFC were performed for a relative aspiration mass flow of less than 0.5% of the main flow. Besides the part-load speed-lines of 55% and 80%, the flow field downstream of each blade row was measured at the AFC design point. Experimental results are in good agreement with the numerical predictions. The use of AFC leads to an increase in operating range at the 55% part-load speed-line of at least 19%, whereas at the 80% part-load speed-line no extension of operating range occurs. Both speed-lines, however, do show a gain in total pressure ratio and isentropic efficiency for the AFC configuration compared to the reference configuration. Compared to the AFC design point, the isentropic efficiency ηis rises by 1.45%, whereas the total pressure ratio Πtot increases by 1.47%. The analysis of local flow field data shows that the hub corner separation in the first stator is reduced by aspiration, whereas in the second stator the hub corner separation slightly increases. The application of AFC in the first stage further changes the stage loading in all downstream stages. While the first and third stage become unloaded by application of AFC, the loading in terms of the De-Haller number increases in the second and especially in the fourth stage. Furthermore, in the reference as well as in the AFC configuration, the fourth stator performs significantly better than predicted by numerical results.

Forward Sweep in a Four-Stage High-Speed Axial Compressor

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Braun ◽  
Joerg R. Seume
Keyword(s):  
Total Pressure ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Third Stage ◽  
Mach Number Distribution ◽  
Design Speed ◽  
End Wall ◽  
Operating Points

The present paper provides a comparison of a CDA-bladed four-stage high-speed axial compressor and a configuration in which the first three rows are replaced with forward swept blades and vanes. The blades are designed with sweep from mid-span to tip, the vanes from mid-span to the hub. The non-swept portion of the leading edge is kept radial and identical to the CDA blading. The overall performance of the compressor with both configurations is measured at five engine speeds. The flow fields of each rotor and stator at two operating points (“Design Point” and “Near Stall”) of both configurations are investigated at the design speed. On the suction and the pressure side of the third stage vane, static surface pressures are measured to determine the local Mach number distribution and to identify zones of separation. Multistage CFD-computations are carried out for both configurations. The numerical and experimental results of both configurations are compared and show the effect of sweep on the operating map of the compressor from choke to stall: Sweep reduces corner stall and the end-wall losses at high aerodynamic loads. It is shown that the reduction of separation due to sweep leads to an increase of total pressure rise towards lower mass flow so that the present swept compressor achieves higher total pressure ratios at and near the stall limit. An analysis along streamlines suggests that the performance of the compressor could have been improved further by a more uniform total pressure distribution in the front stages and a better match of the sweep in stages 2 and 3.

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