Transient Behavior in Axial Compressors in Event of Ice Shed
Incidents of partial or total thrust loss due to engine icing at cruise have been recorded over past several years. These events increase the demand for better understanding of compressor dynamics under such conditions. In the present study, physics based compressor blade row model (BRM) is used to evaluate the effect of booster ice-shed on axial high pressure compressor (HPC) at flight and approach idling conditions (65%–82% Nc). A representative aviation high-bypass turbofan engine HPC is used in this study. Transient behavior of compressor with varying ice ingestion conditions is compared and inter-stage dynamics is analyzed. Stage re-matching occurs due to heat exchange between air and ice which dictates the stall inception stage in the compressor. It is found that although T3 drop is closely related to compressor stall inception, the transient mechanism of ice-shed also plays an important role. Comparisons are made with steady energy balance equation to determine total water content (TWC) at HPC inlet to emphasize the importance of compressor transients. The ice amount, its ingestion duration and rate affect the onset of stall. HPC might sustain through a slower ice-shed while a faster ice-shed can lead to compressor stall with little or no chances of recovery. Understanding this transient behavior and inter-stage dynamics due to ice-shed will help in designing and implementing passive or active stall control mechanisms.