Numerical Investigation Into Non-Synchronous Vibrations of Axial Flow Compressors by the Resonant Tip Clearance Flow

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Drolet ◽  
Jean Thomassin ◽  
Huu Duc Vo ◽  
Njuki W. Mureithi
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Numerical Results ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Compressor Blades ◽  
Turbine Engine ◽  
Tip Clearance Flow ◽  
Clearance Flow

This work investigates Non-Synchronous Vibrations (NSV) encountered in a turbine engine axial flow compressor using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach. It has been proposed that the resonance of the tip clearance flow in compressor blades could be the physical mechanism behind NSV. This work’s emphasis is on being able to computationally capture this resonance and predict the critical NSV speed using CFD. This would considerably reduce the costs involved in future hardware design and testing. The model uses the same compressor blade geometry on which experimental validation of the proposed NSV theory was conducted. The flow interaction with blade vibratory motion is modeled using a moving mesh capability and a SAS-SST turbulence model is used for computation. A review of the proposed theory on NSV is done. The CFD model is first verified with experimental data and then characterized to ensure that the simulations are conducted at the proper NSV conditions, in order to assess the resonance of the tip clearance flow. Evidence of this resonance behavior is presented and critical NSV speeds are identified based on numerical results for two different inlet temperature cases and are validated against experimental data. Further study of the actual flow structure associated with NSV is done. Additional remarks on the numerical results are discussed. An iterative design methodology to account for NSV is also proposed based on the current numerical study.

Effect of Tip Clearance on the Prediction of Nonsynchronous Vibrations in Axial Compressors

2012 ◽  
Vol 135 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Drolet ◽  
Huu Duc Vo ◽  
Njuki W. Mureithi
Keyword(s):  
Operating Temperature ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Turbine Engine ◽  
Tip Clearance Flow ◽  
Background Theory ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Clearance Flow ◽  
Flow Compressor ◽  
Nonsynchronous Vibrations

This work investigates the effect of tip clearance size and operating temperature on the predictions of the critical rotor speed at which nonsynchronous vibrations (NSV) can be encountered in a turbine engine axial flow compressor. It has been proposed that the tangential tip clearance flow, observed at high blade loading near stall, can act as an impinging resonant jet on the upcoming blades and could be the underlying physics behind NSV. A model, in the form of an equation to predict the critical blade tip speed at which NSV can occur, was proposed based on the Jet-Core Feedback Theory and was experimentally verified by Thomassin et al. (2008, “Experimental Demonstration to the Tip Clearance Flow Resonance Behind Compressor NSV,” Proceedings of GT2008: ASME Turbo Expo Power for Land, Sea and Air, Berlin, Germany, Jun. 9–13, Paper No. GT2008-50303). In the equation, a factor k that was called the “tip instability convection coefficient” was measured experimentally and found to be influenced by the tip clearance size and operating temperature. This factor has a significant impact on the accuracy of the NSV predictions obtained using the proposed model. This paper propose a numerical experiment to determine the effect of tip clearance size and temperature on k, in order to improve the critical NSV tip speed predictions using the proposed model. A review of the NSV model is presented along with the relevant background theory on the subject. Two different blade geometries are simulated to provide a generic approach to the study. The leakage flow velocity is calculated to estimate k and a correlation is proposed to model the behavior of the k parameter as a function of the tip clearance size. The latter was found to significantly improve the critical NSV speed predictions. The effect of operating temperature on k is also discussed. Finally, the variation of k with the aerodynamic loading is assessed and compared with available data in the literature to strengthen the generic nature of the results.

Effect of Tip Clearance on the Prediction of Non-Synchronous Vibrations in Axial Compressors

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Drolet ◽  
Huu Duc Vo ◽  
Njuki W. Mureithi
Keyword(s):  
Operating Temperature ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Turbine Engine ◽  
Tip Clearance Flow ◽  
Axial Compressors ◽  
Background Theory ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Clearance Flow ◽  
Flow Compressor

This work investigates the effect of tip clearance size and operating temperature on the predictions of the critical rotor speed at which Non-Synchronous Vibrations (NSV) can be encountered in a turbine engine axial flow compressor. It has been proposed that the tangential tip clearance flow, observed at high blade loading near stall, can act as an impinging resonant jet on the upcoming blades and could be the underlying physics behind NSV. A model, in the form of an equation to predict the critical blade tip speed at which NSV can occur, was proposed based on the Jet-Core Feedback Theory and was experimentally verified by Thomassin et al. [8]. In the equation, a factor k that was called the “tip instability convection coefficient” was measured experimentally and found to be influenced by the tip clearance size and operating temperature. This factor has a significant impact on the accuracy of the NSV predictions obtained using the proposed model. This paper propose a numerical experiment to determine the effect of tip clearance size and temperature on k, in order to improve the critical NSV tip speed predictions using the proposed model. A review of the NSV model is presented along with the relevant background theory on the subject. Two different blade geometries are simulated to provide a generic approach to the study. The leakage flow velocity is calculated to estimate k and a correlation is proposed to model the behavior of the k parameter as a function of the tip clearance size. The latter was found to significantly improve the critical NSV speed predictions. The effect of operating temperature on k is also discussed. Finally, the variation of k with the aerodynamic loading is assessed and compared with available data in the literature to strengthen the generic nature of the results.

Tip Clearance Flow Induced Endwall Boundary Layer Separation in a Single–Stage Axial–Flow Low–Speed Compressor

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Horst Saathoff ◽  
Udo Stark
Keyword(s):  
Axial Flow ◽  
Boundary Layer Separation ◽  
Single Stage ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Compressor Cascade ◽  
Tip Clearance Flow ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Pressure Distributions ◽  
Oil Flow ◽  
Clearance Flow

The paper describes an investigation of the overtip end-wall flow in a single–stage axial–flow low–speed compressor utilizing an oil flow technique and a periodic multisampling pressure measurement technique. Representative oil flow pictures and ensemble averaged casingwall pressure distributions with standard deviations — supplemented by selected endwall oil flow pictures from a corresponding 2D compressor cascade — are shown and carefully analysed. The results enable the key features of the overtip endwall flow to be identified and changes with flow rate — or inlet angle — to be determined.

A Method for the Calculation of the Tip Clearance Flow Effects in Axial Flow Compressors: Part II — Calculation Procedure

1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. K. Nikolos ◽  
D. I. Douvikas ◽  
K. D. Papailiou
Keyword(s):  
Axial Flow ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Tip Clearance Flow ◽  
Vorticity Distribution ◽  
Clearance Flow ◽  
Calculation Results ◽  
Flow Effects ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Induced Velocity ◽  
Theoretical Procedure

An algorithm was set up for the implementation of the tip clearance models, described in Part I, in a secondary flow calculation method. A complete theoretical procedure was, thus, developed, which calculates the circumferentially averaged flow quantities and their radial variation due to the tip clearance effects. The calculation takes place in successive planes, where a Poisson equation is solved in order to provide the kinematic field. The self induced velocity is used for the positioning of the leakage vortex and a diffusion model is adopted for the vorticity distribution. The calculated pressure deficit due to the vortex presence is used, through an iterative procedure, in order to modify the pressure difference in the tip region. The method of implementation and the corresponding algorithm are described in this part of the paper and calculation results are compared to experimental ones for cascades and single rotors. The agreement between theory and experiment is good.

Numerical Investigations of the Coupled Flow Through a Subsonic Compressor Rotor and Axial Skewed Slot

2008 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingen Lu ◽  
Wuli Chu ◽  
Junqiang Zhu ◽  
Yangfeng Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Axial Flow ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Stall Margin ◽  
Tip Clearance Flow ◽  
Casing Treatment ◽  
Axial Flow Compressor ◽  
Compressor Rotor ◽  
Clearance Flow ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Flow Compressor

In order to advance the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of axial skewed slot casing treatment and their effects on the subsonic axial-flow compressor flow field, the coupled unsteady flow through a subsonic compressor rotor and the axial skewed slot was simulated with a state-of-the-art multiblock flow solver. The computational results were first compared with available measured data, that showed the numerical procedure calculates the overall effect of the axial skewed slot correctly. Then, the numerically obtained flow fields were interrogated to identify the physical mechanism responsible for improvement in stall margin of a modern subsonic axial-flow compressor rotor due to the discrete skewed slots. It was found that the axial skewed slot casing treatment can increase the stall margin of subsonic compressor by repositioning of the tip clearance flow trajectory further toward the trailing of the blade passage and retarding the movement of the incoming∕tip clearance flow interface toward the rotor leading edge plane.

Methods of Predicting the Tip Clearance Effects in Axial Flow Turbomachinery

1970 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 467-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Lakshminarayana
Keyword(s):  
Axial Flow ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Theoretical Treatment ◽  
Tip Clearance Flow ◽  
Pressure Losses ◽  
Clearance Flow ◽  
Alternate Model ◽  
Fundamental Physical ◽  
Stage Efficiency ◽  
Physical Principles

Using the author’s earlier flow model for the tip clearance flow, an expression is derived for the decrease in stage efficiency due to tip clearance. The analysis which includes all the dominant flow and blade parameters that affect the flow in the clearance region is compatible with fundamental physical principles, though not precise mathematically. The predictions agree closely with several compressor, fan, pump, and turbine data available. An alternate model which takes into account the presence of the vortex core is proposed. The theoretical treatment of the flow, more complete than hitherto available, predicts blade-to-blade variation in outlet angles accurately and stagnation pressure losses qualitatively. The predictions are compared with various experimental data available in the literature.

Physics of Tip Clearance Flow in Turbomachinery (Keynote Paper)

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiro Inoue ◽  
Masato Furukawa
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Physical Interpretation ◽  
Vortex Core ◽  
Vortical Structure ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Tip Clearance Flow ◽  
Clearance Flow ◽  
Flow Phenomena

In a recent advanced aerodynamic design of turbomachinery, the physical interpretation of three-dimensional flow field obtained by a numerical simulation is important for iterative modifications of the blade or impeller geometry. This paper describes an approach to the physical interpretation of the tip clearance flow in turbomachinery. First, typical flow phenomena of the tip clearance flow are outlined for axial and radial compressors, pumps and turbines to help comprehensive understanding of the tip clearance flow. Then, a vortex-core identification method which enables to extract the vortical structure from the complicated flow field is introduced, since elucidation of the vortical structure is essential to the physical interpretation of the tip clearance flow. By use of the vortex-core identification, some interesting phenomena of the tip clearance flows are interpreted, especially focussing on axial flow compressors.

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