Computation of Three-Dimensional Flow Fields Through Rotating Blade Rows and Comparison With Experiment

Abstract

A three-dimensional inviscid time-marching calculation solving the unsteady Euler equations in a coordinate system rotating with the blade row has been developed, based on the Denton flow solver. This calculation was used to compute the flow field through the rotor of a transonic axial compressor and compared to measurements made with an advanced laser velocimeter at DFVLR. The comparison is made at design speed at pressure ratio corresponding to peak efficiency. Comparisons of the calculated and experimentally determined Mach number contours indicate excellent agreement in the entrance region where the viscous blockage effects are small. The methodology of the analysis is also described in this paper.