5b - Axial Compressors Common

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION
5. Axial Compressors
A. M. Steinberg c 2012
Coverage of this section:

Characteristic Performance Surge Rotating Stall Boundary Layer Limitations Cascade Aerodynamics
Cascade performance Compressor eciency
5b.1 Characteristic performance of axial compressors
We will now consider the characteristic behavior of a single- or multi-stage axial compressor operating between stations 2 and 3 using dimensional analysis. Two performance characteristics are important, the stagnation pressure ratio p03 /p02 and the eciency r . A complete set of independent variables describing the performance of the compressor is given by: p03 , r = f (m , p02 , T02 , , , R , , design, D ) where is the rotational speed of the shaft, is the kinematic viscosity, and D is a characteristic dimension of the compressor.
Dimensional analysis
Using dimensional analysis, we can reduce the nine independent variables in four dimensions to ve non-dimensional groups: p03 m RT02 D D 2 , r = f , , , design , p02 p02 D 2 RT02 The second and third terms on the right can be recognized at a blade Mach number and Reynolds number.

For a xed design of an engine operating with air (we will leave in D for now), the relationship reduces to p03 m T02 D D 2 , r = f , , p02 p02 D 2 T02 In our discussion of turbulence, we saw that at very high Reynolds numbers, the details of the solution become independent of the Reynolds number; all changing Re does is set the smallest scales at which the energy is dissipated. That is not to say that the high Reynolds number is not important, only that the solution becomes insensitive to Reynolds number. Assuming a suciently high blade Reynolds number, p03 m T02 , r = f , p02 p02 T02
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No dierence in the functional relationship is made if the variables on the right are multiplied by a constant. Introducing a standard temperature of 288.15 K and standard pressure of 101.325 kPa, the temperature and pressure at the compressor inlet can be normalized as: T02 = T0,std p02 = p0,std
Replacing the shaft angular velocity with the shaft RPM, N , the functional relationship can be expressed as p03 , r = f p02 m N ,
This relationship allows test data at particular ight conditions to be related to other conditions.

Axial Compressor Performance

Axial Compressor Performance
Below some critical mass ow rate, the compressor does not operate. This is referred to as the surge line. As the mass ow rates increase, the slopes of the performance curves approach . This is associated with negative ow separation as the back stages acting a throttle for the forward stages.
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5b.2 Surge
As the name implies, the phenomenon of surge refers to a locus of unstable compressor operating conditions that are characterized by periodic surging ow through. This instability can easily lead to pressure oscillations that are violent enough to destroy the compressor blades. Avoiding or minimizing surge therefore is of critical importance in compressor design.
5b.2 Surge
Concept for surge analysis
To understand surge, we will consider a compressor stage that is exhausting into a plenum in which the ow is controlled by a throttle. A throttle is simply a device that has a relationship between the ow rate and stagnation pressure change over the throttle (i.e. a valve). Hence, the throttle mimics the behavior of downstream stages.
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5b.2 Surge
Description of Surge
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5b.2 Surge
In this model, an operating point is identied as the intersection of the throttle characteristics with the compressor stage performance. Whether or not surge occurs depends on the slopes of the stage and throttle characteristics at the intersections.
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5b.2 Surge
If the slope of the throttle characteristic is greater than that of the compressor characteristic, the operating point is stable (points A, B, C, and D). A momentary increase of mass ow will be met by a throttle demand for a pressure rise greater than that caused by the compressor. The throttle will therefore push back against the increased ow rate, returning it to normal The same is true for a decrease in ow rate.
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5b.2 Surge
If the slope of the throttle characteristic is less than that of the compressor characteristic, the operating point is stable (points A, B, C, and D). A momentary increase of mass ow will be met by a throttle demand for a lower rise greater than that caused by the compressor. The throttle will therefore pull in more ow, further increasing the ow rate. The point of neutral stability is point E.
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5b.3 Stall
The surge phenomenon can be seen as a coupling between compressor stall and the combustion chamber characteristics. We previously gave a quick overview of stall, as explained by changes in angle of attack on the compressor blades during deviations from design ow conditions. In practice, not all compressor blades stall simultaneously. That is, a stalled blade acts as a blocker for the ow. This results in a change in the inow for the surrounding blades, causing increased or decreased angles of attack at adjacent blades. The result is referred to as rotating stall.
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5b.3 Stall
Rotating Stall
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5b.4 Simplied analysis of stall and surge
A simple yet useful analysis of of stall and surge was performed by Greitzer (1976). The analysis states that the onset of surge in a compressor coupled to a combustion chamber is dictated by the ratio of two characteristic timescales.
Compressor ow-through time r Vr /m a Plenum charge time p
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pr RT2
Vp
m a
5b.4 Simplied analysis of stall and surge
The compressor pressure rise scales with the rotational speed pr (r )2 and the compressor temperature scales as a speed of sound squared
2 T2 a2
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Greizter has shown that whether a disturbance results in stall or surge is described by a parameter B r 2a2 Vp Vr p r
For low B (around 0.6-0.7) systems settle into rotating stall. As B increases to around 1.5, the stall instability causes surge.
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5b.5 Boundary Layer Limitations
In compressors, there are two types of boundary layers that may separate: End wall boundary layers
At outer housing or along shaft
Blade boundary layers

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5b.5.1 End wall separation
End wall separation occurs on the walls of the outer compressor housing or drive shaft between the blades. The 2D turbulent boundary layer will separate for Cp = p > C p 1 2 2 u
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We will assume that each row of blades in the compressor acts as a 2D diuser with a small pressure rise. Rotor: Cp,r = p2 p1 1 2 2 1 w1 Stator: Cp,s = p3 p2 1 2 2 2 c2
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In between each set of blades, we can apply Bernoullis equation. If we assume a small pressure rise over each set of blades and a moderate Mach number, the density can be considered constant. For a rotor stage: 1 1 1 2 2 2 = p2 + 2 w2 p2 p1 = 1 w1 1 p1 + 1 w1 2 2 2 Cp,r = 1 w2 w1
2
w2 w1
Cp,s = 1
c3 c2
A limitation on Cp implies a limit on the change in azimuthal velocity over each set of blades.
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If the axial velocity is approximately constant through the stage w1 cos 1 = cz = w2 cos 2 which gives C p ,r cos2 1 =1 cos2 2 Cp,s
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c2 cos 2 = cz = c3 cos 3
cos2 1 =1 cos2 2

Allowable angle combinations for dierent pressure coecients
C p ,r
cos2 1 =1 cos2 2
Cp,s
cos2 1 =1 cos2 2
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5b.6 Cascade Aerodynamics
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In order to consider the separation of ow over the blade surface, we rst need to introduce the concept of cascade aerodynamics. A cascade is a linear array of stationary blades that is constructed for measuring the performance of blading schemes similar to real compressors. A cascade does of end walls, but they are generally porus and boundary layer suction is applied so that the ow between blades is as 2D as possible.
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The objective of cascade studies is to relate the the uid turning angles to the blade geometry and to measure losses in stagnation pressure due to friction. The eects of separation are observed when the uid exit angle deviates markedly from the blade exit angle and the stagnation pressure losses rise rapidly.
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Cascade Wind Tunnel
A typical cascade wind tunnel has well conditioned inow and a row of blades for which the angle relative to the ow can be adjusted.
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Note that, while cascades are used to study compressor components, no work is being done to the ow. While there will be a static pressure rise due to the torque on the ow, there will be no work done on the ow. Hence, for an adiabatic system, the stagnation temperature does not change and the stagnation pressure decreases due to friction. However, the stagnation pressure loss over a cascade row is closely related to the eciency of a working compressor.
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5b.6.1 Dimensional analysis for cascades
We are interested in the ow exit angle and stagnation pressure loss over the cascade. A complete set of independent parameters is: ii , p0 = f (wi , i , s , C , , , T1 , p1 , , R , blade shape) where s , C , and are the spacing, chord, and stagger.
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We can take this set of 11 independent variables and write 7 non-dimensional groups as: ii , p0 =f 1 2 w 1 1 2 i , wi C wi C ,, , , , , blade shape RT1 s
This set of seven groups is too many to consider simultaneously, so we will assume for now that the Reynolds number and Mach number do not have a major inuence (we will look at this in more detail later). For a xed blade shape with a constant and R gas, the relationship reduces to ii , p0 =f 1 2 w 1 1 2 i , C , s
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Cascade Test Data
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5b.6.2 Compressor Eciency
Cascade tests are a primary means of determining the eciency of dierent blading schemes. This is done by determining the stagnation pressure rise, or alternatively the increase in entropy to the blading parameters. In the design of a compressor, we are concerned with three types of eciency Overall Eciency, r : the adiabatic eciency of the entire compressor, which we have previously dened and used. Stage Eciency, sr : the adiabatic eciency of a single stage. Polytropic Eciency, pr : the eciency for an innitesimal compression. For small amounts of compression over single stages, pr sr . What is the relationship between r and pr sr ?
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Consider an incremental pressure rise from p0 p0 + dp0 . Note that we are considering a general denition of the eciency that involves doing work on the uid, NOT the processes occurring in a cascade.
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5b - Axial Compressors Common

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AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

Coverage of this section:

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.1 Characteristic performance of axial compressors

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.1 Characteristic performance of axial compressors

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.1 Characteristic performance of axial compressors

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.1 Characteristic performance of axial compressors

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.1 Characteristic performance of axial compressors

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.1 Characteristic performance of axial compressors

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.1 Characteristic performance of axial compressors

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.4 Simplied analysis of stall and surge

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.4 Simplied analysis of stall and surge

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.5 Boundary Layer Limitations

Blade boundary layers

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.5 Boundary Layer Limitations

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.5.1 End wall separation

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.5.1 End wall separation

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.5.1 End wall separation

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.5 Boundary Layer Limitations

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.6 Cascade Aerodynamics

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.6 Cascade Aerodynamics

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.6 Cascade Aerodynamics

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.6 Cascade Aerodynamics

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.6 Cascade Aerodynamics

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.6 Cascade Aerodynamics

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.6.1 Dimensional analysis for cascades

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.6.1 Dimensional analysis for cascades

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.6 Cascade Aerodynamics

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.6.2 Compressor Eciency

AER510: AEROSPACE PROPULSION

5b.6.2 Compressor Eciency