scholarly journals An Improved Integral Method for Prediction of Distorted Inlet Flow Propagation in Axial Compressor

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-127
Author(s):  
Eddie Yin-Kwee Ng ◽  
Ningyu Liu ◽  
Hong Ngiap Lim ◽  
Daniel Tan

An improved integral method is proposed and developed for the quantitative prediction of distorted inlet flow propagation through axial compressor. The novel integral method is formulated using more appropriate and practical airfoil characteristics, with less assumptions needed for derivation. The results indicate that the original integral method (Kim et al., 1996) underestimated the propagation of inlet flow distortion. The effects of inlet flow parameters on the propagation of inlet distortions as well as on the compressor performance and characteristic are simulated and analyzed. From the viewpoint of compressor efficiency, the propagation of inlet flow distortion is further described using a compressor critical performance and its associated critical characteristic. The results present a realistic physical insight to an axial-flow compressor behavior with a propagation of inlet distortion.

Author(s):  
Ali Akturk ◽  
Cengiz Camcı

This paper describes a novel ducted fan inlet flow conditioning concept that will significantly improve the performance and controllability of ducted fan systems operating at high angle of attack. High angle of attack operation of ducted fans is very common in VTOL (vertical take off and landing) UAV systems. The new concept that will significantly reduce the inlet lip separation related performance penalties in the edgewise/forward flight zone is named DOUBLE DUCTED FAN (DDF). The current concept uses a secondary stationary duct system to control inlet lip separation related momentum deficit at the inlet of the fan rotor occurring at elevated edgewise flight velocities. The DDF is self-adjusting in a wide edgewise flight velocity range and its corrective aerodynamic effect becomes more pronounced with increasing flight velocity due to its inherent design properties. Most axial flow fans are designed for an axial inlet flow with zero or minimal inlet flow distortion. The DDF concept is proven to be an effective way of dealing with inlet flow distortions occurring near the lip section of any axial flow fan system, especially at high angle of attack. In this present paper, a conventional baseline duct without any lip separation control feature is compared to two different double ducted fans named DDF CASE-A and DDF CASE-B via 3D, viscous and turbulent flow computational analysis. Both hover and edgewise flight conditions are considered. Significant relative improvements from DDF CASE-A and DDF CASE-B are in the areas of vertical force (thrust) enhancement, nose-up pitching moment control and recovery of fan through-flow mass flow rate in a wide horizontal flight range.


Author(s):  
Eddie Yin-Kwee Ng ◽  
Ningyu Liu ◽  
Hong Ngiap Lim ◽  
Tock Lip Tan

The effects of the parameters of inlet distortions on the trend of downstream flow feature in axial compressor are simulated using an integral method. Other than the ratio of drag-to-lift coefficients of the blade and the angle of incidence, the value of distorted inlet velocity is found to be another essential parameter to control the distortion propagation. With this in mind, a distortion propagation line and corresponding distortion propagation factor are proposed to express the effect of the two main inlet parameters: the angle of incidence and the distorted inlet velocity, on the propagation of distortion. From the viewpoint of compressor efficiency, the distortion propagation is further described by a compressor critical performance. The results provide a physical insight of compressor axial behavior and asymptotic behavior of the propagation of inlet distortion, and confirm the active role of compressor in determining the velocity distribution when compressor responds to an intake flow distortion.


Author(s):  
Neil Fourie ◽  
S. J. van der Spuy ◽  
T. W. von Backström

The use of air-cooled steam condensers (ACSCs) is preferred in the chemical and power industry due to their ability to adhere to stringent environmental and water use regulations. ACSC performance is, however, highly dependent on the prevailing wind conditions. Research has shown that the presence of wind reduces the performance of ACSCs. It has been found that cross-winds (wind perpendicular to the longest side of the ACSC) cause distorted inlet flow conditions, particularly at the upstream peripheral fans near the symmetry plane of the ACSC. These fans are subjected to what is referred to as “two-dimensional” wind conditions, which are characterized by flow separation on the upstream edge of the fan inlets. Experimental investigations into inlet flow distortion have simulated these conditions by varying the fan platform height. Low platform heights resulted in higher levels of inlet flow distortion, as also found to exist with high cross-wind velocities. The similarity between platform height and cross-wind velocity is investigated in this study by conducting experimental and numerical investigations into the effect of distorted inlet flow conditions on the performance of various fan configurations (representative of configurations used in the South-African power industry). A correlation between system volumetric effectiveness, platform height, and cross-wind velocity is derived which provides a means to compare platform height and cross-wind velocity effects.


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