Enhancing Aerodynamic Performance of a Non-Axisymmetric Endwall Contoured Cascade Through Section Profiling Method

Abstract

Endwall contouring and 3D blade configurations are effective techniques for enhancing turbomachinery performance. The integration of these technologies is an important area of investigation. To continue the numerical and experimental validations of the non-axisymmetric endwall contoured cascade (Du et al., 2024, “Endwall Contouring for Improving Aerodynamic Performance in a High-Pressure Turbine Cascade,” ASME J. Turbomach., 146(10), p. 101001), the present study redesigns the cascade via section profiling using optimization methods to maximize performance gains. To improve the control effect of endwall contouring, blade section parameters are strategically adjusted during optimization. The experimental flow field traverses at cascade exits demonstrate the control of the cascade flow field by the optimized design. The redesigned cascade exhibits decreased overturning near the shroud and reduced underturning near the hub, as well as reduced profile loss in the mainstream, compared to the endwall contoured cascade. The modification of section parameters enhances the control of losses and the secondary flow intensity. Computational fluid dynamics is used to provide a detailed analysis of the flow field, providing insights into how flow structures vary when the blade profile is modified. The numerical results further elucidate the effect of blade section profiling on both the performance characteristics of the cascade and the configuration of the secondary flows.