scholarly journals Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Tip Leakage Flows in a Roots Blower

Designs ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Shuaihui Sun ◽  
Gursharanjit Singh ◽  
Ahmed Kovacevic ◽  
Christoph Bruecker
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Leakage Flows ◽  
Positive Displacement ◽  
Velocity Magnitude ◽  
Compressor Rotor ◽  
Gap Flow ◽  
Flow Phenomena

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can help in understanding the nature of leakage flow phenomena inside the rotary positive displacement machines (PDMs). However, due to the lack of experimental results, the analysis of leakage flows in rotary PDMs by CFD has not yet been fully validated. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) tests with a microscopic lens and phase-lock were conducted to obtain the velocity field around the tip gap in an optical Roots blower. The three-dimensional unsteady CFD model of the Roots blower with the dynamic grids generated by Screw Compressor Rotor Grid Generation (SCORG) was established to predict the gap flow under the same operating conditions. The images obtained by the PIV tests were analyzed and some factors which compromise the quality of test results in the gap flow were identified, such as reflections and transparency of the window. The flow fields obtained by CFD have the same flow pattern and velocity magnitude as the experimental results in the majority of observed regions but overestimate the leakage flow velocity. The CFD results show a vortex induced by the leakage flow in the downstream region of the gap. The flow losses in the tip gap mainly happen at the entrance upstream of the gap. Finally, some suggestions for future work are discussed.

Flow Structures in the Tip Region for a Transonic Compressor Rotor

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Du ◽  
Feng Lin ◽  
Jingyi Chen ◽  
Chaoqun Nie ◽  
Christoph Biela
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Reference Frame ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Flow Structures ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Tip Leakage Flow ◽  
Three Dimensional Flow ◽  
Tip Leakage ◽  
Leakage Flows ◽  
Tip Leakage Flows

Numerical simulations are carried out to investigate flow structures in the tip region for an axial transonic rotor, with careful comparisons with the experimental results. The calculated performance curve and two-dimensional (2D) flow structures observed at casing, such as the shock wave, the expansion wave around the leading edge, and the tip leakage flow at peak efficiency and near-stall points, are all captured by simulation results, which agree with the experimental data well. An in-depth analysis of three-dimensional flow structures reveals three features: (1) there exists an interface between the incoming main flow and the tip leakage flow, (2) in this rotor the tip leakage flows along the blade chord can be divided into at least two parts according to the blade loading distribution, and (3) each part plays a different role on the stall inception mechanism in the leakage flow dominated region. A model of three-dimensional flow structures of tip leakage flow is thus proposed accordingly. In the second half of this paper, the unsteady features of the tip leakage flows, which emerge at the operating points close to stall, are presented and validated with experiment observations. The numerical results in the rotor relative reference frame are first converted to the casing absolute reference frame before compared with the measurements in experiments. It is found that the main frequency components of simulation at absolute reference frame match well with those measured in the experiments. The mechanism of the unsteadiness and its significance to stability enhancement design are then discussed based on the details of the flow field obtained through numerical simulations.

Experimental and Numerical Investigations on the Aerodynamic Performance of the Three-Stage Turbine With Consideration of the Leakage Flow Effect

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Chen ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
Chaoyang Tian ◽  
Gangyun Zhong ◽  
Xiaoping Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow Rate ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Rotor Blade ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Leakage Flows ◽  
Wheel Disk

The aerodynamic performance of three-stage turbine with different types of leakage flows was experimentally and numerically studied in this paper. The leakage flows of three-stage turbine included the shroud seal leakage flow between the rotor blade tip and case, the diaphragm seal leakage flow between the stator blade diaphragm and shaft, as well as the shaft packing leakage flow and the gap leakage flow between the rotor blade curved fir-tree root and wheel disk. The total aerodynamic performance of three-stage turbine including leakage flows was firstly experimentally measured. The detailed flow field and aerodynamic performance were also numerically investigated using three-dimensional Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and S-A turbulence model. The numerical mass flow rate and efficiency showed well agreement with experimental data. The effects of leakage flows between the fir-tree root and the wheel disk were studied. All leakage mass flow fractions, including the mass flow rate in each hole for all sets of root gaps were given for comparison. The effect of leakage flow on the aerodynamic performance of three-stage was illustrated and discussed.

scholarly journals Three-Dimensional Boundary Layer on a Compressor Rotor Blade at Peak Pressure Rise Coefficient

1986 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Lakshminarayana ◽  
P. Popovski
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Rotor Blade ◽  
Peak Pressure ◽  
Pressure Coefficient ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Layer Growth ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Compressor Rotor

A comprehensive study of the three-dimensional turbulent boundary layer on a compressor rotor blade at peak pressure rise coefficient is reported in this paper. The measurements were carried out at various chordwise and radial locations on a compressor rotor blade using a rotating miniature “V” configuration hot-wire probe. The data are compared with the measurement at the design condition. Substantial changes in the blade boundary layer characteristics are observed, especially in the outer sixteen percent of the blade span. The increased chordwise pressure gradient and the leakage flow at the peak pressure coefficient have a cumulative effect in increasing the boundary layer growth on the suction surface. The leakage flow has a beneficial effect on the pressure surface. The momentum and boundary layer thicknesses increase substantially from those at the design condition, especially near the outer radii of the suction surface.

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.

Numerical Calculation of Pressure Fluctuations in the Volute of a Centrifugal Fan

2005 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Ballesteros-Tajadura ◽  
Sandra Velarde-Suárez ◽  
Juan Pablo Hurtado-Cruz ◽  
Carlos Santolaria-Morros
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Power Spectra ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Centrifugal Fan ◽  
Wall Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Good Agreement

In this work, a numerical model has been applied in order to obtain the wall pressure fluctuations at the volute of an industrial centrifugal fan. The numerical results have been compared to experimental results obtained in the same machine. A three-dimensional numerical simulation of the complete unsteady flow on the whole impeller-volute configuration has been carried out using the computational fluid dynamics code FLUENT®. This code has been employed to calculate the time-dependent pressure both in the impeller and in the volute. In this way, the pressure fluctuations in some locations over the volute wall have been obtained. The power spectra of these fluctuations have been obtained, showing an important peak at the blade passing frequency. The amplitude of this peak presents the highest values near the volute tongue, but the spatial pattern over the volute extension is different depending on the operating conditions. A good agreement has been found between the numerical and the experimental results.

scholarly journals Laser Anemometer Measurements in a Transonic Axial Flow Compressor Rotor

1981 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 430-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Strazisar ◽  
J. A. Powell
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Compressor Rotor ◽  
Laser Anemometer ◽  
Flow Phenomena ◽  
Conventional Instrumentation ◽  
Efficient Data ◽  
Shock System ◽  
Flow Compressor ◽  
Anemometer System

A laser anemometer system employing an efficient data acquisition technique has been used to make measurements upstream, within, and downstream of the compressor rotor. A fluorescent dye technique allowed measurements within endwall boundary layers. Adjustable laser beam orientation minimized shadowed regions and enabled radial velocity measurements outside of the blade row. The flow phenomena investigated include flow variations from passage to passage, the rotor shock system, three-dimensional flows in the blade wake, and the development of the outer endwall boundary layer. Laser anemometer measurements are compared to a numerical solution of the streamfunction equations and to measurements made with conventional instrumentation.

Unsteady Interaction of Labyrinth Seal Leakage Flow and Downstream Stator Flow in a Shrouded 1.5 Stage Axial Turbine

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Peters ◽  
J. R. Menter ◽  
H. Pfost ◽  
A. Giboni ◽  
K. Wolter
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Numerical Data ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Experimental Program ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Axial Turbine ◽  
Flow Phenomena

This paper presents the results of experimental and numerical investigations into the flow in a 1.5-stage low-speed axial turbine with shrouded rotor blades and a straight through labyrinth seal. The paper focuses on the time dependent influence of the leakage flow on the downstream stator flow field. The experimental program consists of time accurate measurements of the three-dimensional properties of the flow through ten different measurement planes in the stator passage. The measurements were carried out using pneumatic five-hole probes and three dimensional hot-wire probes at the design operating point of the turbine. The measurement planes extend from the shroud to the casing. The complex three-dimensional flow field is mapped in great detail by 4,800 measurement points and 20 time steps per blade passing period. The time-accurate experimental data of the ten measurement planes was compared with the results of unsteady, numerical simulations of the turbine flow. The 3D-Navier-Stokes Solver CFX-TASCflow was used. The experimental and numerical results correspond well and allow detailed analysis of the flow phenomena. Additionally numerical data behind the rotor is used to connect the entry of the leakage flow with the flow phenomena in the downstream stator passage and behind it. The leakage flow causes strong fluctuations of the flow in the downstream stator. Above all, the high number of measurement points reveals both the secondary flow phenomena and the vortex structures within the blade passage. The time-dependence of both the position and the intensity of the vortices influenced by the leakage flow is shown. The paper shows that even at realistic clearance heights the leakage flow influences considerable parts of the downstream stator and gives rise to negative incidence and flow separation. Thus, labyrinth seal leakage flow should be taken properly into account in the design or optimization process of turbines.

Application of Viscous Flow Computations for the Aerodynamic Performance of a Backswept Impeller at Various Operating Conditions

1988 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Hah ◽  
A. C. Bryans ◽  
Z. Moussa ◽  
M. E. Tomsho
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Viscous Flow ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Flow Phenomena ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Real Flow ◽  
Operating Points

Three-dimensional flowfields in a centrifugal impeller with backswept discharge at various operating points have been numerically investigated with a three-dimensional viscous flow code. Numerical results and experimental data were compared for the detailed flowfields and overall performance of the impeller at three operating conditions (optimum efficiency, choke, and near-surge conditions). The comparisons indicate that for engineering applications the numerical solution accurately predicts various complex real flow phenomena. The overall aerodynamic performance of the impeller is also well predicted at design and off-design conditions.

Experimental and Numerical Investigation Into the Unsteady Interaction of Labyrinth Seal Leakage Flow and Main Flow in a 1.5-Stage Axial Turbine

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Giboni ◽  
K. Wolter ◽  
J. R. Menter ◽  
H. Pfost
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Flow ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Main Flow ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Experimental Program ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Axial Turbine ◽  
Flow Phenomena ◽  
Grid Points

This paper presents the results of experimental and numerical investigations into the flow in a 1.5-stage low-speed axial turbine with a straight labyrinth seal on the rotor shroud. The paper focuses on the time dependent interaction between the leakage flow and the main flow. The experimental program consists of time accurate measurements of the three-dimensional properties of the main flow. The region of the entering leakage flow downstream of the rotor trailing edge was of special interest. The measurements were carried out using pneumatic five-hole probes and three dimensional hot-wire probes at the design operating point of the turbine. The measurement planes behind the three blade rows extend over one pitch from the shroud to the casing. The complex three-dimensional flow field is mapped in great detail by 1,008 points per measurement plane. The time-accurate experimental data of the three measurement planes was compared with the results of unsteady, numerical simulations of the turbine flow. The 3D-Navier-Stokes Solver CFX-TASCflow was used. The experimental and numerical results correspond well and allow detailed analysis of the mixing process. As demonstrated in this paper, the leakage flow causes strong fluctuations of the secondary flow behind the rotor and the second stator. Above all, the high number of numerical grid points reveals both the secondary flow phenomena and the vortex structures of the mixing zone. The time-dependence of both position and intensity of the vortices is shown. The development of the important leakage vortex is illustrated and explained. The paper shows that even at realistic clearance heights the leakage flow gives rise to negative incidence of considerable parts of the downstream stator which causes the flow to separate. Thus, labyrinth seal leakage flow should be taken properly into account in the design or optimization process of turbomachinery.

Blade Tip Shape Optimization for Enhanced Turbine Aerothermal Performance

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. De Maesschalck ◽  
S. Lavagnoli ◽  
G. Paniagua
Keyword(s):  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Optimization Strategy ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Tip Leakage Flow ◽  
Tip Leakage ◽  
Leakage Flows ◽  
Turbine Efficiency ◽  
Gap Flow ◽  
Blade Tip ◽  
Tip Leakage Flows

In high-speed unshrouded turbines tip leakage flows generate large aerodynamic losses and intense unsteady thermal loads over the rotor blade tip and casing. The stage loading and rotational speeds are steadily increased to achieve higher turbine efficiency, and hence the overtip leakage flow may exceed the transonic regime. However, conventional blade tip geometries are not designed to cope with supersonic tip flow velocities. A great potential lays in the modification and optimization of the blade tip shape as a means to control the tip leakage flow aerodynamics, limit the entropy production in the overtip gap, manage the heat load distribution over the blade tip and improve the turbine efficiency at high stage loading coefficients. The present paper develops an optimization strategy to produce a set of blade tip profiles with enhanced aerothermal performance for a number of tip gap flow conditions. The tip clearance flow was numerically simulated through two-dimensional compressible Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) calculations that reproduce an idealized overtip flow along streamlines. A multi-objective optimization tool, based on differential evolution combined with surrogate models (artificial neural networks), was used to obtain optimized 2D tip profiles with reduced aerodynamic losses and minimum heat transfer variations and mean levels over the blade tip and casing. Optimized tip shapes were obtained for relevant tip gap flow conditions in terms of blade thickness to tip gap height ratios (between 5 and 25), and blade pressure loads (from subsonic to supersonic tip leakage flow regimes) imposing fixed inlet conditions. We demonstrated that tip geometries which perform superior in subsonic conditions are not optimal for supersonic tip gap flows. Prime tip profiles exist depending on the tip flow conditions. The numerical study yielded a deeper insight on the physics of tip leakage flows of unshrouded rotors with arbitrary tip shapes, providing the necessary knowledge to guide the design and optimization strategy of a full blade tip surface in a real 3D turbine environment.

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