Water Injection Effects on Compressor Stage Operation

Abstract

In the present paper, experimental work concerning the effect of water injection on a compressor stage is presented. The effect on compressor stage performance and stability is examined for water injection up to 2%. The behavior of the airflow in the blade rows is examined through aerodynamic measurements. The results indicate that although the water injection appears to not have any significant effect on the flow pattern and to stage pressure rise and stall margin, there is a measurable effect on compression efficiency, which seems to result mainly from losses of a mechanical nature and water acceleration. The efficiency degradation is proportional to the water ratio entering the engine.