Numerical Simulation of Unsteady Moist-Air Flows Through Whole-Annulus Rotor Blade Rows in Transonic Compressor

Abstract

Abstract In this study, we numerically investigated moist-air flow through the transonic compressor rotors of NASA Rotor 37, assuming whole-annulus rotor blade rows and non-uniform inlet wetness. This is an extension of our previous study, which assumed only a single passage and uniform inlet wetness. The amount of water droplets streaming into the compressor was changed in circumferentially non-uniform inlet condition. Numerical results indicated that non-uniform inlet wetness induced non-uniform temperature in the passages due to absorption of latent heat by droplet evaporation. Moreover, shock locations varied, depending on the local amount of wetness. Furthermore, turning angles of the flow and torque on the rotor blades were influenced by the wetness. Therefore, unsteady forces on the rotor blades were resultantly obtained by considering non-uniform inlet wetness conditions.