Session: 32-03 Compressor Design Methods

Paper Number: 100709

100709 - A Characteristic-Based 1D Axial Compressor and Combustor Model for Stall and Surge Simulations. 

A low-order unsteady one-dimensional axial compressor and combustor model has been developed at Cranfield University as part of a larger unsteady gas turbine engine model, with the ability to simulate compressor stall and surge. The flow is resolved using the 1D unsteady Euler equations and source terms are used to model bleed extraction (and addition), pressure losses, and heat and work exchange. Species tracking is used in the combustor part of the model, using a semi-coupled approach, to keep track of the combustion products and unburnt fuel in the main gas path. The equations are solved using a Roe Approximate Riemann Solver, modified to handle the high magnitude, transient source terms necessary for this simulation. The performance of the compressor during the transient surge event is described by a set of compressor characteristics, including reverse flow and rotating stall regions, obtained from a validated 3D throughflow code, ACRoSS. To replicate the exact response of multi-stage compressors, stage-by-stage characteristics are used during reverse flow.

The low-order method presented is successfully verified against ACRoSS for a high-power surge event of a coupled IPC and HPC configuration. The rate at which the total pressure at the outlet of the HPC collapses was calculated to be within 1%.  This approach presents a faster alternative to high-fidelity CFD and can be used to investigate the compressor stall behaviour within minutes during the early design phase.

Presenting Author: Vassilios Pachidis Cranfield University

Presenting Author Biography: Vassilios Pachidis is an Aerospace Engineer and Professor (Level III) of Propulsion Integration Engineering in the School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing at Cranfield University. He first joined Cranfield as a member of research staff in 2001. His main research interests include power plant modelling, performance and certification; novel cycles; turbomachinery experimental, analytical and computational aerodynamics; propulsion system integration and environmental performance; thermal management; electrification and sustainability. He has an international standing built upon a well-established research track record. He has more than 15 years of experience in research, project management and income generation, and more than 15 years of experience in postgraduate teaching, learning and Continuous Professional Development. He is Principal Investigator (PI) in Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, Clean Sky I & II, EPSRC, IUK and ATI Research Grants with a personal annual research income in excess of £1M.

Authors:

Sajal Kissoon Cranfield University
Mauro Righi Cranfield University
Lucas Pawsey Rolls-Royce plc
Vassilios Pachidis Cranfield University
Richard Tunstall Rolls-Royce
Ioannis Roumeliotis Cranfield University