Probabilistic analysis of meanline compressor rotor performance

This thesis addresses variability in aerodynamic performance of a compressor rotor due to geometric variation. The performance of the rotor is computed using a meanline model that includes the effect of tip clearance blockage, calculated by assuming the tip leakage behaves like a wake in a pressure gradient and incorporating the effects of double leakage. The model is used to quantify performance variability of the rotor at design flow coefficient and near stall given typical variations in blade profile geometry, hub and casing diameters, and tip clearances. Monte Carlo simulation performed at both operating conditions shows that the coefficient of variation of pressure rise, loss coefficient, axial displacement thickness, and flow angle at the exit of the blade row is similar at high and low loading. Mean shifts are smaller at design than near stall, where the mean pressure rise and loss shift -0.4% and +0.6% from their respective nominal values. A parametric analysis using a response surface showed that near stall, tip clearance variation drives performance variation; the pressure rise and loss coefficient standard deviation drop by 26% and 20% when tip clearance variability is removed. At design, tip clearance variability is still important, but leading and trailing edge blade geometries play a larger role in driving performance variability.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Fitzgerald, Nathan Andrew, 1980-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Edward M. Greitzer.

• Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/28896

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/28896