A Comparison of the Matrix and Streamline Curvature Methods of Axial Flow Turbomachinery Analysis, From a User’s Point of View

Abstract

In recent years two general methods for flow analysis in turbomachinery have been developed, one generally called the Streamline Curvature Method, the other the Matrix Through-Flow Method. Both methods solve the same flow equations but the differences in technique introduce different operational constraints and difficulties. A comparative assessment of the relative merits of the two methods has been difficult because the various authors did not use similar cascade models to represent cascade loss and deviation, a necessary adjunct to each technique. This paper outlines the two methods, and a common cascade model for both, and compares two programs written to implement the two techniques for ease of use, computer time and storage requirements, flexibility and inherent limitations. The programs are used to compute the flow field in three axial flow compressor applications: an interconnecting duct, a transonic fan, and three stage axial compressor. The predicted performance for the above machines was fairly good, although no attempt was made to “tune” the cascade model for the specific type of machine, as the relative merits of each method were of interest. It is concluded that there is a small operational advantage to the matrix method.