A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) investigation is presented that provides predictions of the aerodynamic impact of uniform and nonuniform coatings applied to the leading edge of a compressor airfoil in a cascade. Using a NACA 65(12)10 airfoil, coating profiles of varying leading edge nonuniformity were added. A nonuniform coating is obtained when a liquid coating is applied to a surface with high curvature, such as an airfoil leading edge. The CFD code used, RVCQ3D, is a Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes solver, with a -omega turbulence model. The code predicted that these changes in leading edge shape can lead to alternating pressure gradients in the first few percent of chord that create small separation bubbles and possibly early transition to turbulence. The change in total pressure loss and trailing edge deviation are presented as a function of a coating nonuniformity parameter. Results are presented over a range of negative and positive incidences and inlet Mach numbers from 0.6 to 0.8. A map is provided that shows the allowable degree of coating nonuniformity as a function of incidence and inlet Mach number.
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October 2011
Research Papers
Impact of Nonuniform Leading Edge Coatings on the Aerodynamic Performance of Compressor Airfoils
Michael E. Elmstrom,
Michael E. Elmstrom
CDR, United States Navy, Project Superintendent
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
, Portsmouth, NH 03904
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Knox T. Millsaps,
Knox T. Millsaps
Mechanical and Astronautical Engineering,
e-mail: millsaps@nps.edu
Naval Postgraduate School
, Monterey, CA 93943
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Garth V. Hobson,
Garth V. Hobson
Mechanical and Astronautical Engineering,
Naval Postgraduate School
, Monterey, CA 93943
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Jeffrey S. Patterson
Jeffrey S. Patterson
Head, Emerging Technologies
Carderock Division,
NSWC
, Philadelphia, PA 19112
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Michael E. Elmstrom
CDR, United States Navy, Project Superintendent
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
, Portsmouth, NH 03904
Knox T. Millsaps
Mechanical and Astronautical Engineering,
Naval Postgraduate School
, Monterey, CA 93943e-mail: millsaps@nps.edu
Garth V. Hobson
Mechanical and Astronautical Engineering,
Naval Postgraduate School
, Monterey, CA 93943
Jeffrey S. Patterson
Head, Emerging Technologies
Carderock Division,
NSWC
, Philadelphia, PA 19112J. Turbomach. Oct 2011, 133(4): 041004 (9 pages)
Published Online: April 19, 2011
Article history
Received:
September 1, 2008
Revised:
February 22, 2009
Online:
April 19, 2011
Published:
April 19, 2011
Citation
Elmstrom, M. E., Millsaps, K. T., Hobson, G. V., and Patterson, J. S. (April 19, 2011). "Impact of Nonuniform Leading Edge Coatings on the Aerodynamic Performance of Compressor Airfoils." ASME. J. Turbomach. October 2011; 133(4): 041004. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3213550
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