Spanwise Mixing in Multistage Axial Flow Compressors: Part I—Experimental Investigation

Abstract

Spanwise mixing has been shown to be an essential feature of multistage compressor aerodynamics. The cause of spanwise mixing in multistage axial flow compressors has been investigated directly by using an ethylene tracer gas technique in two low-speed, four-stage machines. The results show that the dominant mechanism is that of turbulent type diffusion and not the radial convection of flow properties as has been previously suggested. The mixing was also found to be substantially uniform in magnitude all the way across the span with levels similar to those found in two-dimensional turbulent wakes.