Transient performance prediction of an axial compressor considering VIGV operation speeds

• DOI: 10.1007/s12206-014-0923-7
• Publication Date: 2014-10-22T00:47:08Z
• Authors: Donghyun Kim; Sangjo Kim; Changmin Son; Kuisoon Kim; Myungho Kim; Seongki Min
• Keywords: Axial Compressor; Clockwise; Transient (computer programming); Mass flow rate

In the present study, transient performance and flow characteristics of a 1.5-stage compressor with VIGV are investigated using CFD. The level of accuracy of CFD approach is evaluated by comparing the predicted performance against experimental data of a 3.5-stage compressor. The main objective of the present research is to quantitatively estimate the performance of transonic axial-flow compressor under transient operation of VIGV compared to steady-state performances on static IGV condition. The present study is performed to investigate the effect of VIGV movement on the performance characteristics when the VIGV setting angle varies with time. The VIGV is set to rotate in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The results were compared with steady-state predictions. Reasonable differences are observed in mass flow rate predictions (2%∼6%) between the transient and the steady-state calculations as VIGV operation speed varies. As VIGV operation speed increases, the difference in mass flow rate also increases. Therefore, a change in work input of the compressor is confirmed due to changes in mass flow rate. This is mainly caused by the changes in deviation and incidence angles depending on the operation speed and operation direction (clockwise and counterclockwise). The changes in deviation and incidence angles reflected on the entropy distribution. Even in mid-span, there is variation in angles depending on the operation speed and direction.