This paper reports on an experimental and numerical investigation aimed at understanding the mechanisms of rotating instabilities in a low speed axial flow compressor. The phenomena of rotating instabilities in the current compressor were first identified with an experimental study. Then, an unsteady numerical method was applied to confirm the phenomena and to interrogate the physical mechanisms behind them. The experimental study was conducted with high-resolution pressure measurements at different clearances, employing a double phase-averaging technique. The numerical investigation was performed with an unsteady 3-D Navier-Stokes method that solves for the entire blade row. The current study reveals that a vortex structure forms near the leading edge plane. This vortex is the result of interactions among the classical tip-clearance flow, axially reversed endwall flow, and the incoming flow. The vortex travels from the suction side to the pressure side of the passage at roughly half of the rotor speed. The formation and movement of this vortex seem to be the main causes of unsteadiness when rotating instability develops. Due to the nature of this vortex, the classical tip clearance flow does not spill over into the following blade passage. This behavior of the tip clearance flow is why the compressor operates in a stable mode even with the rotating instability, unlike traditional rotating stall phenomena.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
July 2002
Technical Papers
An Experimental and Numerical Investigation into the Mechanisms of Rotating Instability
Joachim Ma¨rz, Mem. ASME,
Joachim Ma¨rz, Mem. ASME
STN Atlas Elektronik GmbH, Bremen 28305, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
Chunill Hah, Fellow ASME,
Chunill Hah, Fellow ASME
NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH 44135
Search for other works by this author on:
Wolfgang Neise, Mem. ASME
Wolfgang Neise, Mem. ASME
DLR, Institute of Propulsion Technology, Berlin, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
Joachim Ma¨rz, Mem. ASME
STN Atlas Elektronik GmbH, Bremen 28305, Germany
Chunill Hah, Fellow ASME
NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH 44135
Wolfgang Neise, Mem. ASME
DLR, Institute of Propulsion Technology, Berlin, Germany
Contributed by the International Gas Turbine Institute and presented at the International Gas Turbine and Aeroengine Congress and Exhibition, New Orleans, Louisiana, June 4–7, 2001. Manuscript received by the IGTI, February 12, 2001; revised Manuscript received November 7, 2001. Paper No. 2001-GT-536. Review Chair: R. A. Natole.
J. Turbomach. Jul 2002, 124(3): 367-374 (8 pages)
Published Online: July 10, 2002
Article history
Received:
February 12, 2001
Revised:
November 7, 2001
Online:
July 10, 2002
Citation
Ma¨rz, J., Hah, C., and Neise, W. (July 10, 2002). "An Experimental and Numerical Investigation into the Mechanisms of Rotating Instability ." ASME. J. Turbomach. July 2002; 124(3): 367–374. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1460915
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Evaluating Thin-Film Thermocouple Performance on Additively Manufactured Turbine Airfoils
J. Turbomach (July 2025)
Thermohydraulic Performance and Flow Structures of Diamond Pyramid Arrays
J. Turbomach (July 2025)
Related Articles
Discussion: “Comparative Studies on Short and Long Length-Scale Stall Cell Propagating in an Axial Compressor Rotor” (Inoue, M., Kuroumaru, M., Tanino, T., Yoshida, S., and Furukawa, M., 2001, ASME J. Turbomach., 123, pp. 24–30)
J. Turbomach (January,2001)
Experimental Investigation of Unsteady Flow Field in the Tip Region of an Axial Compressor Rotor Passage at Near Stall Condition With Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry
J. Turbomach (July,2004)
Closure to “Discussion of ‘Comparative Studies on Short and Long Length-Scale Stall Cell Propagating in an Axial Compressor Rotor’ ” (2001, ASME J. Turbomach., 123, p. 31)
J. Turbomach (January,2001)
Comparative Studies on Short and Long Length-Scale Stall Cell Propagating in an Axial Compressor Rotor
J. Turbomach (January,2001)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Outlook
Closed-Cycle Gas Turbines: Operating Experience and Future Potential
Introduction
Design and Analysis of Centrifugal Compressors
Aerodynamic Performance Analysis
Axial-Flow Compressors