This paper investigates the flow field at the tip region of compressor rotor. In particular, the effect of stepped tip gaps on the performance and flowfield of an axial-flow compressor rotor was reviewed using both experimental and computational methods. An axial compressor rotor with no inlet guide vanes was tested under subsonic condition. A parametric study of clearance levels and step profiles was performed using eight different casing geometries. This study was aimed at comparing compressor performance in specified configurations. The experimental results showed that the inclusion of stepped tip gaps with the small clearance level gave increased pressure ratio, efficiency, and stall margin throughout the mass flow range at both speeds. However, when using medium and large clearance level, the benefits of stepped tip gaps were not noticed for all rotor operating conditions if compared with the baseline case. Steady-state Navier-Stokes analyses were performed for cases involving small clearance level and stepped tip gap geometries. They highlighted the mechanisms associated with performance improvement. The numerical procedure correctly predicted the overall effects of stepped tip gaps. Detailed numerical simulation results showed that the interaction between the stepped groove flow and blade passage flow could entrain the blockage produced by upstream tip leakage flow into the tip gap of adjacent blades of the compressor rotor. It is through this process that stepped tip gaps can help dissipating blockage that was caused by upstream tip leakage flow. Thus the path and extent of the blockage in the tip region is altered to increase the passage throughflow area and so, the rotor performance can be improved.
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ASME Turbo Expo 2005: Power for Land, Sea, and Air
June 6–9, 2005
Reno, Nevada, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- International Gas Turbine Institute
ISBN:
0-7918-4730-6
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
The Effects of Stepped Tip Gap on Performance and Flowfield of a Subsonic Axial-Flow Compressor Rotor
Xingen Lu,
Xingen Lu
Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, P. R. China
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Junqiang Zhu,
Junqiang Zhu
Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, P. R. China
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Wuli Chu,
Wuli Chu
Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, P. R. China
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Rugen Wang
Rugen Wang
Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, P. R. China
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Xingen Lu
Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, P. R. China
Junqiang Zhu
Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, P. R. China
Wuli Chu
Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, P. R. China
Rugen Wang
Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, P. R. China
Paper No:
GT2005-69106, pp. 373-380; 8 pages
Published Online:
November 11, 2008
Citation
Lu, X, Zhu, J, Chu, W, & Wang, R. "The Effects of Stepped Tip Gap on Performance and Flowfield of a Subsonic Axial-Flow Compressor Rotor." Proceedings of the ASME Turbo Expo 2005: Power for Land, Sea, and Air. Volume 6: Turbo Expo 2005, Parts A and B. Reno, Nevada, USA. June 6–9, 2005. pp. 373-380. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/GT2005-69106
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