Enhancing transonic compressor rotor efficiency by flow analysis-driven blade section modification

Abstract

Abstract Transonic axial compressors are widely used in aero-engines and gas turbines, and their efficiency has a significant influence on the equipment energy utilization rate and fuel cost. In this research, blade section modification based on flow analysis is carried out on the Rotor 67 for improving efficiency. First, the numerical calculation method used is verified with experimental data to ensure the accuracy of the simulation. Then, according to the analysis of simulated flow field and shock structure, the blade section shapes are altered to optimize the blade passage wide distribution for the sections from hub to mid-span. In addition, the blade surface angle is altered to reduce the supersonic flow expansion angle for decreasing shock strength. With these optimizations, the efficiency of modified transonic rotor increases by 0.9 percentage at the design point and 1.0 percentage at near stall point (N = 1.0), respectively. Slightly higher efficiency at off-design speeds (N = 0.9 and 0.8) are also obtained, with maintaining the stall margin.