Numerical study of the influence of splitter geometry on secondary flow control

Abstract

In turbmachinery, splitters are used to control secondary flow and to improve the aerodynamic performance of outlet guide vane (OGV) of axial fan. However, there is few information in the open literature focusing on the effect of the splitter geometry on the secondary flow control. In this work, the numerical investigations were performed for NACA 65-010 profile with different splitters. The spacing ratio of the main blade was 1, the spacing between the splitters and the main blade was 30mm. Three different splitters were compared to investigate the effect of the splitter geometry on secondary flow control. The flow structures near the end-wall, the streamlines on the suction surface of blade and the distribution of the flow losses on the trailing edge of blade was shown and discussed. The results showed the splitters can control the secondary flow and reduce the area of the high flow losses at the junction of end-wall and blade. However, the flow separation of the splitters also causes flow losses in the wake behind the splitters. Therefore, only the specific configuration of splitters can reduce the flow losses of the blade.