Aerodynamic effects of forward blade skew in axial flow rotors of controlled vortex design

Abstract

Comparative studies have been carried out on two axial flow fan rotors of controlled vortex design (CVD), at their design flowrate, in order to investigate the effects of circumferential forward skew on blade aerodynamics. The studies were based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD), validated on the basis of global performance and hot wire flow field measurements. The computations indicated that the forward-skewed blade tip modifies the rotor inlet condition along the entire span, due to its protrusion to the relative inlet flow field. This leads to the rearrangement of spanwise blade load distribution, increase of losses along the dominant part of span, and converts the prescribed spanwise blade circulation distribution towards a free vortex flow pattern. Due to the above, reduction in both total pressure rise and efficiency was established. By moderation of the radial outward flow on the suction side, being especially significant for non-free vortex blading, forward sweep was found to be particularly useful for potential reduction of near-tip loss in CVD rotors. Application of reliable CFD-based design systems was recommended for systematic consideration and control of both load- and loss-modifying effects due to non-radial blade stacking.