High-Speed Flow in an Annular Cascade With Tip Clearance: Numerical Investigation

The high-speed flow in an annular cascade with two tip clearance sizes is numerically modeled using a Navier-Stokes solver and the high-Reynolds-number k-ε turbulence model. The numerical predictions should be regarded as complementary to the experimental work conducted in the NTUA annular cascade facility, designed for studying tip-clearance effects in compressor cascades. In the numerically simulated experiment, the stationary blades are mounted on the casing and the tip clearance is formed between them and the spinning hub. The purpose of the present paper is to scrutinize flow trends identified during the measurements and elucidate the flow patterns in the blade passage for rotating and stationary hub.