Effect of a New Vortex Generator on the Performance of an Axial Compressor Cascade at Design and Off-Design Conditions

Author(s):  
Ahmed M. Diaa ◽  
Mohammed F. El-Dosoky ◽  
Mahmoud A. Ahmed ◽  
Omar E. Abdelhafez

Secondary flows are noxious to axial compressor performance. To overcome and control those secondary flows, vortex generators are used as a passive control device. Controlling secondary flows will lead to a further improvements in the compressor performance. A new design of vortex generator is considered in this investigation in order to control secondary flows in axial compressor cascade at design and off-design conditions. Numerical simulations of a three-dimensional compressible turbulent flow have been performed to explore the effect of the vortex generators on the reduction of secondary flows. Six different incidence angles are used for the off-design operation investigations. Based on the simulation results, the pressure, velocity, and streamline are used to follow up the development of the secondary flows. Thence, total pressure loss coefficient, static pressure rise coefficient, difference in flow deflection angle, and diffusion factor are estimated. Results indicate that vortex generators have a significant effect on the development of secondary flows at off design operation as they cause a reduction in total pressure loss, they also affect the loading behavior of the cascade as they cause a slight change in the cascade deflection, and a slight decrease in the diffusion factor which causes unloading of the blade. Static pressure rise is significantly reduced at negative incidence angles while a slight reduction occurs at positive incidence angles. In a word, the new design of the vortex generator enhances the cascade aerodynamic performance and enlarges the operating range of the cascade towards the positive incidence region.

2004 ◽  
Vol 126 (4) ◽  
pp. 650-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. Sullerey ◽  
A. M. Pradeep

In this paper, results are presented of an experimental investigation into the effectiveness of vortex generator jets in controlling secondary flows in two-dimensional S-duct diffusers. The experiments were performed in uniform and distorted inflow conditions and the performance evaluation of the diffuser was carried out in terms of static pressure recovery and quality of the exit flow. In the case with inflow distortion, tapered fin vortex generators were employed in addition to vortex generator jets to control flow separation that was detected on the wall with inflow distortion. Detailed measurements including total pressure, velocity distribution, surface static pressure, skin friction, and boundary layer measurements were taken at a Reynolds number of 7.8×105. These results are presented in terms of static pressure rise, distortion coefficient, and total pressure loss coefficient at the duct exit. For uniform inflow, the use of vortex generator jets resulted in more than a 30 percent decrease in total pressure loss and flow distortion coefficients. In combination with passive device (tapered fin vortex generators), the vortex generator jets reduce total pressure losses by about 25 percent for distorted inflow conditions. A potential application of this method may include control of secondary flows in turbo machinery.


2001 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. Sullerey ◽  
Sourabh Mishra ◽  
A. M. Pradeep

An experimental investigation was undertaken to study the effect of various fences and vortex generator configurations in reducing the exit flow distortion and improving total pressure recovery in two-dimensional S-duct diffusers of different radius ratios. Detailed measurements including total pressure and velocity distribution, surface static pressure, skin friction, and boundary layer measurements were taken in a uniform inlet flow at a Reynolds number of 7.8×105. These measurements are presented here along with static pressure rise, distortion coefficient, and the transverse velocity vectors at the duct exit determined from the measured data. The results indicate that substantial improvement in static pressure rise and flow quality is possible with judicious deployment of fences and vortex generators.


Author(s):  
R. K. Sullerey ◽  
A. M. Pradeep

An experimental investigation was undertaken to detect and control secondary flows and separation in two-dimensional Sduct diffusers. Active control by vortex generator jets was applied to control secondary flows. The experiments were carried out with and without inflow distortion. Detailed measurements including total pressure and velocity distribution, surface static pressure, skin friction and boundary layer measurements were taken at an inlet Reynolds number of 7.8 × 105. These measurements are presented here along with static pressure rise, distortion coefficient, total pressure loss coefficients and the transverse velocity vectors at the duct exit determined from the measured data. Substantial improvement in static pressure rise and flow quality was achieved by the use of vortex generator jets.


Author(s):  
A. Hergt ◽  
R. Meyer ◽  
M. W. Mu¨ller ◽  
K. Engel

Secondary flow effects like the corner stall between the wall and the vane in a compressor stage are responsible for a large part of total pressure losses. An extensive experimental study of flow control in a highly loaded compressor cascade was performed in order to decrease the separation and reduce the losses by means of vortex generators. The vortex generators were attached at the surface of the cascade side walls. These flow control devices produce strong vortices, which enhance the mixing between the main flow and the decelerated boundary layer at the side wall. Thus, the corner flow separation and the total pressure losses could be reduced. The experiments were carried out with a compressor cascade at a high-speed test facility at the DLR in Berlin at minimum loss (design point) and off-design of the cascade at Reynolds numbers up to Re = 0.6 × 106 (based on 40 mm chord) and Mach numbers up to M = 0.7. The cascade consisted of five vanes. The blade profiles are comparable to the hub section of the stator vanes used in the transonic compressor test rig running at Technische Universita¨t Darmstadt. In the range between −2° and +4° angle of incidence the total pressure losses of the cascade could be reduced up to 4.6% by means of vortex generators, whereas the static pressure rise was not influenced. Based on the results of the cascade measurements, the vortex generators were applied in front of the stator row of the single stage axial compressor at Technische Universita¨t Darmstadt. A numerical simulation of the compressor flow provided an indication for the adjustment of the vortex generators at the hub and casing. In the experiments the pressure rise and the efficiency of the axial compressor was measured and it could be shown that vortex generators partially improve the efficiency.


Author(s):  
P. Deregel ◽  
C. S. Tan

This paper addresses the causal link first described by Smith between the unsteady flow induced by the rotor wakes and the compressor steady-state performance. As an initial step, inviscid flow in a compressor stage is examined. First of a kind numerical simulations are carried out to show that if the rotor wakes are mixed out after (as opposed to before) the stator passage, the time-averaged overall static pressure rise is increased and the mixing loss is reduced. An analytical model is also presented and shown to agree with the numerical results; the model is then used to examine the parametric trends associated with compressor design parameters.


2006 ◽  
Vol 110 (1106) ◽  
pp. 215-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. S. Cohen ◽  
F. Motallebi

Abstract The results of an investigation into the effects that sub-boundary layer vortex generators (SBVGs) have on reducing normal shock-induced turbulent boundary-layer separation are presented. The freestream Mach number and Reynolds number were M = 1·45 and 15·9 × 106/m, respectively. Total pressure profiles, static pressure distributions, surface total pressure distributions, oil flow visualisation and Schlieren photographs were used in the results analysis. The effects of SBVG height, lateral spacing and location upstream of the shock were investigated. A novel curved shape SBVG was also evaluated and comparisons against the conventional flat vane type were made. The results show that in all but two cases, separation was completely eliminated. As expected, the largest SBVGs with height, h = 55%δ, provided the greatest pressure recovery and maximum mixing. However, the shock pressure rise was highest for this case. The experiments showed that the mid height SBVG array with the largest spacing provided similar results to the SBVG array with the largest height. Reducing the distance to shock to 10δ upstream also showed some improvement over the SBVG position of 18δ upstream. It was suggested that total elimination of the separated region may not be required to achieve a balance of improved static pressure recovery whilst minimising the pressure rise through the shock. The effect of curving the SBVGs provided an improved near wall mixing with an improved static and surface total pressure recovery downstream of the separation line. The optimum SBVG for the current flow conditions was found to be the curved vanes of h = 40%δ, with the largest spacing, located at 18δ upstream of the shock. Overall, it was apparent from the results that in comparison to larger vortex generators with a height comparable to δ, for SBVGs the parameters involved become more important in order to obtain the highest degree of mixing from a given SBVG configuration.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed A. El-Shahat ◽  
Hesham M. El-Batsh ◽  
Ali M. A. Attia ◽  
Guojun Li ◽  
Lei Fu

Abstract Flow separation is a major parameter affecting the compressor performance. It reduces the compressor efficiency, limits static pressure rise capability and contributes to instability in compressors. In applied research, there is a lack of understanding of the nature and mechanism of the three-dimensional (3-D) flow separation in the axial compressor especially on the juncture of the endwall and blade corner region. In the present study, the 3-D flow field in an axial compressor cascade has been studied experimentally as well as numerically. For the experimental study part, a linear compressor cascade has been installed in an open loop wind tunnel. The experimental data was acquired for a Reynolds number Rec = 2.98 × 105 based on the blade chord and the inlet flow conditions. The total pressure loss progress through the blade passage has been measured by using calibrated five and seven-hole pressure probes connected to ATX sensor module data acquisition system. The static pressure distribution on the endwall has been measured employing static pressure taps connected to digital micromanometers. To investigate the loss mechanism through the cascade, the total pressure loss coefficient has been calculated from the measured data. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study of the flow field was performed to gain a better understanding of the flow features. Two turbulence models, Spalart-Allmaras (S-A) and shear stress transport SST (k-ω) were used. From both parts of study, the flow field development and total pressure loss progress through the cascade have been investigated and compared. Moreover, the received data demonstrated a good agreement between the experimental and computational results. The predicted flow streamlines by numerical calculations showed regions characterized by flow separation and recirculation zones that could be used to enhance the understanding of the loss mechanism in compressor cascades. All measurements taken by 5-hole and 7-hole pressure probes have been analyzed and compared. It was found that their readings were almost the same and there are no excellences for using 7-hole probe. Furthermore S-A turbulence model calculations showed more consistencies with experimental results than SST (k-ω) model.


2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (1133) ◽  
pp. 415-420
Author(s):  
G. S. Cohen ◽  
F. Motallebi

Abstract Experiments have been conducted to assess the effects that sub-boundary-layer vortex generators (SBVGs) have on reducing normal shock-induced turbulent boundary-layer separation. The freestream Mach number and Reynolds number were M = 1·45 and 15·9 × 106/m, respectively. Detailed measurements of a fully developed, flat plate turbulent boundary layer were used in order to assess the performance of ten different SBVG configurations. The SBVG performance was assessed by comparing total pressure profiles measured upstream of separation and downstream of reattachment. Static pressure distributions, near surface total pressure distributions, oil flow visualisation and Schlieren photographs were also used. The effect of SBVG height was investigated. The results show the largest SBVGs with height, h = 55%δ, provided the greatest static pressure recovery and maximum mixing. However, the shock pressure rise (wave drag) was highest for this case.


2020 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 003685042094092
Author(s):  
Xuegao Wang ◽  
Jun Hu ◽  
Jin Guo ◽  
Baofeng Tu ◽  
Zhiqiang Wang

The aim of this article mainly lies in two aspects. The first is to investigate the effect of inlet swirl distortion on the performance and stability of a low-speed compressor experimentally. The second is to quantify swirl pattern revolution through the compressor and find out background causes of the change in compressor performance. Swirl distortion makes the leading-edge incidence opposite between tip and hub regions, compared to that of clean flow. And the compressor performance change is ultimately determined by these two aspects. Results indicate that negative bulk swirl improves pressure rise, and the effect is on the contrary to the positive bulk swirl. Under the condition of paired swirl, pressure rise also presents a reduction. All these three types of swirl have little effect on the stall boundary. Although swirl distortion shows clear recovery at rotor exit, downstream components still work at off-design conditions due to the induced nonuniformity in axial velocity and total pressure.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuansijia Tao ◽  
Xin Du ◽  
Jun Ding ◽  
Yizhou Luo ◽  
Zhongqi Wang

Solidity and camber angle are key parameters with a primary effect on airfoil diffusion. Maximum thickness location has a considerable impact on blade loading distribution. This paper investigates correlations of maximum thickness location, solidity, and camber angle with airfoil performance to choose maximum thickness location quickly for compressor airfoils with different diffusion. The effects of maximum thickness location, solidity, and camber angle on incidence characteristics are discussed based on abundant two-dimensional cascade cases computed through numerical methods. Models of minimum loss incidence, total pressure loss coefficient, diffusion factor, and static pressure rise coefficient are established to describe correlations quantitatively. Based on models, dependence maps of total pressure loss coefficient, diffusion factor, and static pressure rise coefficient are drawn and total loss variation brought by maximum thickness location is analyzed. The study shows that the preferred selection of maximum thickness location can be the most forward one with no serious shock loss. Then, the choice maps of optimal maximum thickness location on different design conditions are presented. The optimal maximum thickness locates at 20–35% chord length. Finally, a database of optimal cases which can meet different loading requirements is provided as a tool for designers to choose geometrical parameters.


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