Investigations of an Axial Compressor End-Wall Boundary Layer Prediction Method

A previously developed axial compressor end-wall boundary layer calculation method which requires the introduction of three-dimensional velocity profile models is summarized. In this method the classical three-dimensional velocity profile models were shown to present inherent limitations at stall limit, with regard to the range of transverse boundary layer thicknesses they are able to represent. A corrected profile model is presented which contains no more limitations without affecting the previous found overall results. Stall limit is predicted by limiting values of shape factor and/or diffusion factor. The new profile model containing also compressibility effects allows the calculation of boundary layers in machines with shrouded blades, by simulating the jump between rotating and non rotating parts of the walls. A corrected version of a force defect correlation is presented which is shown to give better agreement at high incidences. Some results on high and low speed machines are discussed. The model is applied to obtain an end-wall blockage correlation depending on geometry, flow coefficient, AVR, aspect ratio, solidity, diffusion factor, Reynolds number, axial blade spacing, tip clearance and inlet boundary layer thickness. A quantitative estimation of the losses associated with the end-wall boundary layers can be obtained using this analysis and therefore can be a useful tool in the design of an axial compressor stage.