Role of tip clearance flow on axial compressor stability

An examination of the fluid dynamic phenomena that link tip clearance flow to the formation of short length-scale (spike) rotating stall disturbances has been carried out. It is found that the onset of growth in tip clearance blockage characterizes the lowest flow coefficient for which a steady blade passage solution exists. It is also found that this condition leads to the formation of spike disturbances. A scenario and criteria for this tip clearance blockage behavior are proposed based on trailing edge backflow and leading edge spillage to the adjacent blade passage. Both are associated with tip clearance flow and occur below the blade tip. Trailing edge backflow involves tip clearance fluid from adjacent blade passages. The leading edge spillage consists of tip clearance fluid from the local blade passage. These two criteria explain the observed length-scale of spike disturbances. This scenario is consistent with several experimental observations on axial compressor stall inception. The implications of these results on the role of single blade passage computations in stall prediction and on the effectiveness of techniques used to delay stall are also discussed.

Department dc:contributor.department

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

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2002

Author dc:creator

• Vo, Huu Duc, 1971-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Choon S. Tan and 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

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/8104

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/8104