Fluid Mechanics of Compression System Flow Control

Abstract : The aim of Fluid Mechanics of Compression System Flow Control is to increase the diffusion capacity of an axial compressor stator through the application of bladesurface-mounted flow control. The experimental portion of the work employs a small wind tunnel that allows the investigation of flow control concepts applied to a simulated single stator passage. Baseline results are presented along with those of three flow control modules; all are variations of blowing (no aspiration) flow control using a planar jet behind a backward facing step positioned upstream of the passage curvature. Two preliminary investigations are presented. The first includes the effect of the thickness of the lip separating the main stream from the core stream of the backward facing step and its impact on the flow control effectiveness. The second introduces streamwise vorticity via flat plate vortex generators as a means of enhancing the interaction between the blowing jet and the core stream.