N. A. Cumpsty

Surge Dynamics in a Free-Spool Centrifugal Compressor System

Turbocharger surge has been investigated in a radial impeller-vaneless diffuser free-spool system. Several different aspects are addressed. First, two very different compression systems, one with a large downstram volume and one with the smallest possible downstram voluem, are employed to examine stall initiation phenomena as well as the behavior of the compressor characteristics when operating in surge. The measurements show impeller stall at the inducer tips to be a key phenomena in initiating surge. The inducer stall is stationary and asymmetric, due to the presence of the volute, and is most severe near the volute tongue angular position

Three-Dimensional Separations in Axial Compressors

Flow separations in the corner regions of blade passages are common. The separations are three dimensional and have quite different properties from the two-dimensional separations that are considered in elementary courses of fluid mechanics. In particular, the consequences for the flow may be less severe than the two-dimensional separation. This paper describes the nature of three-dimensional (3D) separation and addresses the way in which topological rules, based on a linear treatment of the Navier-Stokes equations, can predict properties of the limiting streamlines, including the singularities which form. The paper shows measurements of the flow field in a linear cascade of compressor blades and compares these to the results of 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD). For corners without tip clearance, the presence of three-dimensional separation appears to be universal, and the challenge for the designer is to limit the loss and blockage produced. The CFD appears capable of predicting this.

The Use of Sweep and Dihedral in Multistage Axial Flow Compressor Blading—Part I: University Research and Methods Development

This paper describes the introduction of 3-D blade designs into the core compressors for the Rolls-Royce Trent engine with particular emphasis on the use of sweep and dihedral in the rotor designs. It follows the development of the basic ideas in a university research project, through multistage low-speed model testing, to the application to high pressure engine compressors. An essential element of the project was the use of multistage CFD and some of the development of the method to allow the designs to take place is also discussed. The first part of the paper concentrates on the university-based research and the methods development. The second part describes additional low-speed multistage design and testing and the high-speed engine compressor design and test.

Endwall Blockage in Axial Compressors

This paper presents a new methodology for quantifying compressor endwall blockage and an approach, using this quantification, for defining the links between design parameters, flow conditions, and the growth of blockage due to tip clearance flow. Numerical simulations, measurements in a low-speed compressor, and measurements in a wind tunnel designed to simulate a compressor clearance flow are used to assess the approach. The analysis thus developed allows predictions of endwall blockage associated with variations in tip clearance, blade stagger angle, inlet boundary layer thickness, loading level, loading profile, solidity, and clearance jet total pressure. The estimates provided by this simplified method capture the trends in blockage with changes in design parameters to within 10 percent. More importantly, however, the method provides physical insight into, and thus guidance for control of, the flow features and phenomena responsible for compressor endwall blockage generation.

Control of three-dimensional separations in axial compressors by tailored boundary layer suction

One of the important ways of improving turbomachinery compressor performance is to control three-dimensional (3D) separations, which form over the suction surface and end wall corner of the blade passage. Based on the insights gained into the formation of these separations, this paper illustrates how an appropriately applied boundary layer suction of up to 0.7% of inlet mass flow can control and eliminate typical compressor stator hub corner 3D separation over a range of operating incidence. The paper describes, using computational fluid dynamics, the application of suction on the blade suction surface and end wall boundary layers and exemplifies the influence of end wall dividing streamline in initiating 3D separation in the blade passage. The removal of the separated region from the blade suction surface is confirmed by an experimental investigation in a compressor cascade involving surface flow visualization, surface static pressure, and exit loss measurements. The ensuing passage flow field is characterized by increased blade loading (static pressure difference between pressure and suction surface), enhanced average static pressure rise, significant loss removal, and a uniform exit flow. This result also enables the contribution of the 3D separation to the overall loss and passage blockage to be assessed.

Impeller–Diffuser Interaction in a Centrifugal Compressor

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2000.

The Use of Sweep and Dihedral in Multistage Axial Flow Compressor Blading—Part II: Low and High-Speed Designs and Test Verification

This paper describes the introduction of 3-D blade designs into the core compressors of the Rolls-Royce Trent engine series with particular emphasis on the use of sweep and dihedral in the rotor designs. It follows the development of the basic ideas in a university research project, through multistage low-speed model testing, to their application to the high pressure engine compressor. An essential element of the project was the use of multistage CFD and some of the development of the method to allow the designs to take place is also discussed. Part I of the paper concentrated on the fundamental university-based research and the methods development. Part II describes additional low-speed multistage design and testing and the high-speed engine compressor designs and tests.

Influence of Surface Roughness on Three-Dimensional Separation in Axial Compressors

Surface roughness on a stator blade was found to have a major effect on the three-dimensional (3D) separation at the hub of a single-stage low-speed axial compressor. The change in the separation with roughness worsened performance of the stage. A preliminary study was carried out to ascertain which part of the stator suction surface and at what operating condition the flow is most sensitive to roughness. The results show that stage performance is extremely sensitive to surface roughness around the leading edge and peak-suction regions, particularly for flow rates corresponding to design and lower values. Surface flow visualization and exit loss measurements show that the size of the separation, in terms of spanwise and chordwise extent, is increased with roughness present. Roughness produced the large 3D separation at design flow coefficient that is found for smooth blades nearer to stall. A simple model to simulate the effect of roughness was developed and, when included in a 3D Navier-Stokes calculation method, was shown to give good qualitative agreement with measurements.

A Simple Model for Compressor Stall Cell Propagation

A simple model for full-span stall cells in axial compressors has been formulated. The sudden changes in velocity across blade rows as the blade passages enter and leave the stall are shown to have important dynamical consequences for the stall flow field. The one empirical constant needed in the analysis is determined using the data of Day. From this, reasonable predictions of stall cell speed and trends in speed have been obtained for a number of different compressors. 10 refs.

Effects of Inlet Flow Field Conditions on the Performance of Centrifugal Compressor Diffusers: Part 2—Straight-Channel Diffuser

This is Part 2 of an examination of the influence of inlet flow conditions on the performance and operating range of centrifugal compressor vaned diffusers. The paper describes tests of a straight-channel type diffuser, sometimes called a wedge-vane diffuser, and compares the results with those from the discrete-passage diffusers described in Part 1. Effects of diffuser inlet Mach number, flow angle, blockage, and axial flow nonuniformity on diffuser pressure recovery and operating range are addressed. The straight-channel diffuser investigated has 30 vanes and was designed for the same aerodynamic duty as the discrete-passage diffuser described in Part 1. The ranges of the overall pressure recovery coefficients were 0.50-0.78 for the straight-channel diffuser and 0.50-0.70 for the discrete-passage diffuser, except when the diffuser was choked. In other words, the maximum pressure recovery of the straight-channel diffuser was found to be roughly 10 percent higher than that of the discrete-passage diffuser investigated. The two types of diffuser showed similar behavior regarding the dependence of pressure recovery on diffuser inlet flow angle and the insensitivity of the performance to inlet flow field axial distortion and Mach number. The operating range of the straight-channel diffuser, as for the discrete-passage diffusers, was limited by the onset of rotating stall at a fixed momentum-averaged flow angle into the diffuser, which was for the straight-channel diffuser, α crit = 70 ± 0.5 deg. The background, nomenclature, and description of the facility and method are all given in Part 1.