A Throughflow Analysis Tool Based on the Navier-Stokes Equations

This paper describes a throughlow analysis tool based on a modern ¯nite-volume
approach. The numerical model is obtained by averaging the 3-D Navier-Stokes
equations in the blade passage, keeping only the axisymmetric part of the equations.
The averaging reduces the spatial dimension of the problem but introduces
additional terms, the blade forces, which have to be modeled.
In the present viscous through°ow model, the 2-D annulus endwall °ow is
captured by the resolution of the Navier-Stokes equations coupled to a simple
mixing-length turbulence model. This allows to simulate high energy interactions
and high losses near the endwalls. However, 3-D features such as tip or
corner °ows cannot be predicted in axisymmetric computations. In the present
contribution, these 3-D e®ects are modeled using empirical correlations from
the literature. They are introduced into the equations, together with the pro¯le
losses, by the so-called distributed loss model.
Two test-cases, a high subsonic single stage compressor and a low speed three
stage compressor, show the potential of the method.