Control and Entropy Analysis of Corner Flow Separation in a Compressor Cascade Using Streamwise Grooves

Flow separation, which often occurs at the junction of blades and endwalls and seriously limits the aerodynamic performance of turbomachinery, is caused mainly by the boundary layer mixing on the blades and endwall surfaces and the transverse secondary flow. Focusing on a linear diffusion cascade with 42° turning angle, the transverse secondary flow is found to be the dominant factor for flow separation, based on detailed analysis. Therefore, controlling the secondary flow to reduce the flow separation is very important. Based on the investigations, the flow separation can be controlled by cutting off the secondary flow. Therefore, nine kinds of streamwise grooves were designed and analyzed herein. Grooves at the endwall substantially inhibited the transverse secondary flow, but the flow structure varied over different spans. An optimum combination of groove width and height was identified, with the height being more important. A detailed flow analysis of the best scheme (with a smaller width and moderate height) was conducted. The loss reduction mechanism was obtained by 3D flow field and entropy analysis. This configuration can reduce the corner zone separation effect, energy loss coefficient, and flow loss.