Time-marching throughflow analysis of multistage axial compressors based on a novel inviscid blade force model

A time-marching throughflow method for the off-design performance analysis of axial compressors is described. The method is based on the Euler equations, and a new inviscid blade force model is proposed in order to achieve desired flow deflection. The flow discontinuity problems at the leading and trailing edges are tackled by automatic correction of blade mean surface using cubic spline interpolation. Empirical loss models have been integrated into the throughflow model in order to simulate the viscous force effects in the real three-dimensional flow. Two test cases have been presented to validate the throughflow model, including the transonic fan rotor – NASA Rotor 67 working at a near-peak-efficiency point and a 1.5-stage high-speed axial compressor with inlet guide vane operating at 68% nominal speed. Reasonable flow parameters distributions have been obtained in the Rotor 67 fan calculating results, and accurate overall performance characteristics have also been predicted at the strong off-design condition for the 1.5-stage axial compressor. The CPU time of both cases cost less than one minute at one operating point. The results indicate that the developed time-marching throughflow model is effective and efficient in the turbomachinery performance analysis.