Quantification and Analysis of the Irreversible Flow Loss in a Linear Compressor Cascade

A local loss model and an integral loss model are proposed to study the irreversible flow loss mechanism in a linear compressor cascade. The detached eddy simulation model based on the Menter shear stress transport turbulence model (SSTDES) was used to perform the high-fidelity simulations. The flow losses in the cascade with an incidence angle of 2°, 4° and 7° were analyzed. The contours of local loss coefficient can be explained well by the three-dimensional flow structures. The trend of flow loss varying with incidence angle predicted by integral loss is the same as that calculated by total pressure loss coefficient. The integral loss model was used to evaluate the irreversible loss generated in different regions and its varying trend with the flow condition. It as found that the boundary layer shear losses generated near the endwall, the pressure surface and the suction surface are almost identical for the three incidence angles. The secondary flow loss in the wake-flow and blade-passage regions changes dramatically with the flow condition due to the occurrence of corner stall. For this cascade, the secondary flow loss accounts for 26.1%, 48.3% and 64.3% of the total loss for the flow when the incidence angles are 2°, 4° and 7°, respectively. Lastly, the underlying reason for the variation of the secondary flow loss with the incidence angle is explained using the L(c) iso-surface method.