Multi-Objective Optimization Design Method for Tandem Compressor Cascade at Design and Off Design Conditions

Abstract

Recently, there has been a renewed interest in the research of tandem compressor cascades due to the high stage pressure ratio and low control cost. Firstly, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method is employed to examine the particular aerodynamic performance of the tandem cascade. Then we propose an automatic multi-objective optimization design method of the tandem cascade for the superior aerodynamic performance under the multiple operation conditions. Particular efforts have been devoted to the gap geometry optimization in terms of the front and aft airfoil relative position, camber turning ratio as well as chord ratio. The multi-objective optimization algorithm comprises a refined multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) and a developed artificial neural network (ANN) model which is used to fast approximate the aerodynamic performance of the tandem cascade. The results show that the tandem cascade outperforms the single cascade in terms of producing higher pressure ratio and lower losses while the operation range is rather narrow. The optimized all-better-than (ABT) tandem cascade has its design point performance significantly improved while the operation range slightly widened. We also find that a slight axial proximity and separation of the tandem airfoils are beneficial to widening the positive and negative operation range, respectively. This research is useful to the tandem compressor cascade design in minimizing the stage number of the engine compressors.