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At least 19 records

Compressor cascade performance deterioration caused by sand ingestion

Airfoil cascade erosion and performance deterioration was investigated in a gas particle cascade tunnel. The cascade blades were made of 2024 aluminum alloy and the solid particles used were quartz sand. The results of the experimental measurements are presented to show the change in the blade surface erosion, pressure distribution and the total loss coefficient with erosion. The surface quality of the blades exposed to particulate flows are changing the material surfaces. With time, the surface roughness increases and leads to a decrease in engine performance. It was found that the surface roughness values increase asymptotically to a maximum value with increased erosion. The experimental results indicate that the roughness parameters correlate well against the mass of particles impacting unit area of the surface. Such a correlation is useful in aerodynamics and performance computations in turbomachinery.

Tabakoff, W.↗

Prediction of cascade performance using an incompressible Navier-Stokes technique

A fully elliptic, control volume solution of the two-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations for the prediction of cascade performance over a wide incidence range is presented. The numerical technique is based on a new pressure substitution method. A Poisson equation is derived from the pressure weighted substitution of the full momentum equations into the continuity equation. The analysis of a double circular arc compressor cascade is presented, and the results are compared with the available experimental data at various incidence angles. Good agreement is obtained for the blade pressure distribution, boundary layer and wake profiles, skin friction coefficient, losses and outlet angles. Turbulence effects are simulated by the Low-Reynolds-Number version of the k-epsilon turbulence model.

Hobson, G. V.↗

Comparison of calculated and experimental cascade performance for controlled-diffusion compressor stator blading

The mid-span section of a previously reported controlled-diffusion compressor stator has been experimentally evaluated in cascade. Measurements are taken over a range of incidence angles for blade chord Reynolds numbers from 470,000 to 690,000. Blade chord length is 12.7 cm, aspect ratio is 2.0, and solidity is 1.67. Measurements include conventional cascade performance parameters as well as blade surface pressures. Computations are made for the inviscid flow field, surface boundary layers, and loss for several of the blade inlet angle conditions, are compared against corresponding data.

Sanger, N. L.↗

Comparison of calculated and experimental cascade performance for controlled-diffusion compressor stator blading

The mid-span section of a previously reported controlled-diffusion compressor stator has been experimentally evaluated in cascade. Measurements are taken over a range of incidence angles for blade chord Reynolds numbers from 470,000 to 690,000. Blade chord length is 12.7 cm, aspect ratio is 2.0, and solidity is 1.67. Measurements include conventional cascade performance parameters as well as blade surface pressures. Computations are made for the inviscid flow field, surface boundary layers, and loss for several of the blade inlet angle conditions, are compared against corresponding data.

Sanger, N. L.↗

Environmental solid particle effects on compressor cascade performance

The effect of suspended solid particles on the performance of the compressor cascade was investigated experimentally in a specially built cascade tunnel, using quartz sand particles. The cascades were made of NACA 65(10)10 airfoils. Three cascades were tested, one accelerating cascade and two diffusing cascades. The theoretical analysis assumes inviscid and incompressible two dimensional flow. The momentum exchange between the fluid and the particle is accounted for by the interphase force terms in the fluid momentum equation. The modified fluid phase momentum equations and the continuity equation are reduced to the conventional stream function vorticity formulation. The method treats the fluid phase in the Eulerian system and the particle phase in Lagrangian system. The experimental results indicate a small increase in the blade surface static pressures, while the theoretical results indicate a small decrease. The theoretical analysis, also predicts the loss in total pressure associated with the particulate flow through the cascade.

Tabakoff, W.↗

Effect of Tunnel Configuration and Testing Technique on Cascade Performance

An investigation has been conducted to determine the influence of aspect ratio, boundary-layer control by means of slots and porous surfaces, Reynolds number, and tunnel end-wall condition upon the performance of airfoils in cascades. A representative compressor-blade section (the NACA 65-(12)(10) of aspect ratios of 1, 2, and 4 has been tested at low speeds in cascades with solid and with porous side walls. Two-dimensional flow was established in porous-wall cascades of each of the three aspect ratios tested; the flow was not two-dimensional in any of the solid-wall cascades. Turbine-blade sections of aspect ratio 0.83 were tested in cascades with solid and porous side walls and blade sections of aspect ratio 3.33 were tested in cascades with solid wall. No particular advantage was observed in the use of porous walls for the turbine cascades tested.

Erwin, John R↗

A note on the influence of axial velocity ratio on cascade performance

A thin airfoil quasi-two-dimensional potential flow theory has been used to analyze cascades with axial-flow contraction. Attention is centered on the flow turning of a lattice of foils as measured by the deviation angle. The influence of both axial-flow acceleration and foil thickness on the deviation angle is summarized in plots that should be useful for design purposes. It is shown that the effect of axial-flow contraction is larger when the foils are relatively far apart than when they are close together. The influence of axial velocity ratio across the cascade changes markedly with the stagger angle. These effects are essentially unaltered due to foil thickness.

Wilson, M. B.↗

Experimental performance of cascade thrust reversers at forward velocity

A series of static and wind tunnel tests were performed on four cowl cascade thrust reverser configurations which had various reversed jet emission patterns applicable to an externally blown flap STOL aircraft. The work was performed using a model fan which was 14.0 cm in diameter and passed a fan mass flow of 2.49 kg/sec at an approximate fan pressure ratio of 1.22 and fan corrected rotational speed of 35,800 rpm. The tests demonstrated that the reingestion of fan flow significantly reduced the reverser efficiency and that the thrust reverser efficiency was improved by reducing the reversed jet azimuthal emmission angle. The reverser efficiency at STOL landing speeds was as high as 0.95; however, configurations with lateral emission were adversely affected by yawing the nacelle at forward velocity. Measurements of the internal static pressure at the stator exit showed significant increases in the local static pressure for configurations with reduced jet emission angles.

Dietrich, D. A.↗

Radiation performance of AlGaAs concentrator cells and expected performance of cascade structures

Aluminum gallium arsenide, GaAs, silicon and InGaAs cells have been irradiated with 1 MeV electrons and 37 MeV protons. These cells are candidates for individual cells in a cascade structure. Data is presented for both electron and proton irradiation studies for one sun and a concentration level of 100X AMO. Results of calculations on the radiation resistance of cascade cell structures based on the individual cell data are also presented. Both series connected and separately connected structures are investigated.

Curtis, Henry B.↗

Radiation performance of AlGaAs and InGaAs concentrator cells and expected performance of cascade structures

Aluminum gallium arsenide, GaAs, silicon and InGaAs cells have been irradiated with 1-MeV electrons and 37-MeV protons. These cells are candidates for individual cells in a cascade structure. Data are presented for both electron and proton irradiation studies for one sun and a concentration level of 100X AM0. Results of calculations on the radiation resistance of cascade cell structures based on the individual cell data are also presented. Both series-connected and separately connected structures are investigated.

Curtis, H. B.↗

Cascade Distiller System Performance Testing Interim Results

The Cascade Distillation System (CDS) is a rotary distillation system with potential for greater reliability and lower energy costs than existing distillation systems. Based upon the results of the 2009 distillation comparison test (DCT) and recommendations of the expert panel, the Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Water Recovery Project (WRP) project advanced the technology by increasing reliability of the system through redesign of bearing assemblies and improved rotor dynamics. In addition, the project improved the CDS power efficiency by optimizing the thermoelectric heat pump (TeHP) and heat exchanger design. Testing at the NASA-JSC Advanced Exploration System Water Laboratory (AES Water Lab) using a prototype Cascade Distillation Subsystem (CDS) wastewater processor (Honeywell d International, Torrance, Calif.) with test support equipment and control system developed by Johnson Space Center was performed to evaluate performance of the system with the upgrades as compared to previous system performance. The system was challenged with Solution 1 from the NASA Exploration Life Support (ELS) distillation comparison testing performed in 2009. Solution 1 consisted of a mixed stream containing human-generated urine and humidity condensate. A secondary objective of this testing is to evaluate the performance of the CDS as compared to the state of the art Distillation Assembly (DA) used in the ISS Urine Processor Assembly (UPA). This was done by challenging the system with ISS analog waste streams. This paper details the results of the AES WRP CDS performance testing.

Callahan, Michael R.↗

Single step detection of blurred images in a coherent optical processor.

Two important operations that can be performed by coherent optical processing systems are image detection and image restoration. These operations require complex spatial filters, and if both operations are to be performed, cascaded processing stages employing two separate spatial filters are usually needed. Spatial filters are described that will perform in a single step both operations simultaneously, thus eliminating the need for extra processing stages while providing the advantages of higher efficiency and smaller space requirements. The filters are characterized by their simplicity and are easily fabricated using conventional techniques. Experimental results are presented.

Jablonowski, D. P.↗

Aerodynamic Design of Axial-flow Compressors

Available experimental two-dimensional-cascade data for conventional compressor blade sections are correlated. The two-dimensional cascade and some of the principal aerodynamic factors involved in its operation are first briefly described. Then the data are analyzed by examining the variation of cascade performance at a reference incidence angle in the region of minimum loss. Variations of reference incidence angle, total-pressure loss, and deviation angle with cascade geometry, inlet Mach number, and Reynolds number are investigated. From the analysis and the correlations of the available data, rules and relations are evolved for the prediction of the magnitude of the reference total-pressure loss and the reference deviation and incidence angles for conventional blade profiles. These relations are developed in simplified forms readily applicable to compressor design procedures.

Source record↗

A study of axial compressor blade optimization for operation in the low Reynolds number regime

Original and previously published experimental data is presented in this study of axial compressor blade optimization for use in the subcritical Reynolds number region. Three methods of increasing cascade performance at these low Rc are presented, discussed, and compared: (1) use of sharp-leading-edge profiles, (2) trip wires or roughness elements, and (3) high free-stream turbulence. The original data was collected in the VKI C-1 cascade wind tunnel; during these tests blade chord Reynolds number was varied from 250,000 down to about 17,000. Each technique demonstrated an increase in low Reynolds number (based on chord) performance for certain profiles, with the sharp-leading-edge profile as the potential optimum. Axial compressors or pumps that must operate for a significant amount of their design life under low Reynolds number conditions might benefit substantially from these methods.

Roberts, W. B.↗

Computation of turbine flowfields with a Navier-Stokes code

A new technique has been developed for the solution of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The numerical technique, derived from a pressure substitution method (PSM), overcomes many of the deficiencies of the pressure crrection method. This technique allows for the direct solution of the actual pressure in the form of a Poisson equation which is derived from the pressure weighted substitution of the full momentum equations into the continuity equation. In two-dimensions a turbine flowfield, including heat transfer, has been computed with this method and the prediction of the cascade performance is presented. The extension of the pressure correction method for the solution of three-dimensional flows is also presented for laminar flow in an S-shaped duct and turbulent flow in the end-wall region of a turbine cascade.

Hobson, G. V.↗

Fluid mechanics, acoustics, and design of turbomachinery, part 1

A conference was conducted to analyze the effects of air flow on turbomachinery design. The subjects discussed are: (1) equations for compressible flow through turbomachines, (2) influence of axial velocity ratio on cascade performance, (3) three dimensional flow in transonic axial compressor blade rows, (4) prediction of turbulent shear layers in turbomachines, and (5) boundary layers in centrifugal compressors.

Lakshminarayana, B.↗