Predictive Capability of CFD Models for Transonic Compressor Design

Paper in proceeding, 2014

The primary focus of this work is to validate a CFD model intended to be used for transonic compressor design purposes. This design model includes a coarse grid using wall functions and mixing planes at interfaces connecting the compressor components. The computations are compared with experimental data from the transonic highly loaded 1.5 stage compressor test case Hulda. Additional comparisons are done with higher complexity CFD models accounting for the rotor-stator interaction. The performance of Hulda has been measured with both a small and a large tip clearance. These two configurations are used to investigate the necessity of resolving the tip clearance gap in the design model. The comparison is presented in terms of the overall performance at two rotational speeds as well as radial distribution of total pressure and total temperature at stations downstream of the rotor The predictive capability at these speeds is assessed in terms of mass flow, pressure ratio and efficiency. Furthermore, the response of the predicted radial flow distributions with respect to the throttle setting along the two rotational speeds is qualitatively compared with the measurements. The validation of the small tip clearance test shows that the design model, with or without tip gap modeling, is in good agreement with the measurements at both speeds. As for the large tip clearance test a design model resolving the tip clearance was able to predict trends but the penalty related to the increased tip gap was overestimated compared to the measured.