Session: 31-05 Experimental Methods

Paper Number: 154012

Compressor Stator Leading Edge Instrumentation 

Leading edge instrumentation is commonly used for performance measurement in testing of high-speed multi-stage compressors or whole engines. Due to spatial constraints and calibration requirements, it is infeasible to use the more accurate methods of a roving multi-hole probe or multi-headed rakes. In this work the parasitic losses and measurement accuracy are studied for both Kiel headed, and bare Pitot probes mounted on the leading edge of a compressor stator. The trade-off between these two quantities with non-dimensional probe diameter is predicted in validated CFD and measured in a single stage experimental compressor rig. Area traverses are taken upstream and downstream of the stator row to calculate integral performance as well as understand the detailed flow physics.

Several other comparisons are made to help guide an instrumentation designer to select the best instrumentation for their machines: Whether venting a Kiel reduces loss and improves accuracy; whether the leadouts can be routed on the pressure side of the blade or must be internal to the geometry; and how to best align Pitot probes for overall accuracy at multiple operating points. In each case, the effect on the local operating point of the stage is examined as well as the detailed flow physics on the instrumented blade itself.

 

Presenting Author: Tolga Yasa University of Cambridge

Presenting Author Biography: Earned a PhD in high-pressure turbine aerodynamics from the Von Kármán Institute in 2008. Since then, has worked in both industry and academia for over 15 years on all turbomachinery related subjects. Recently, joined the Whittle Laboratory at the University of Cambridge in 2022, focusing primarily on compressor aerodynamics.

Authors:

Tolga Yasa University of Cambridge
Abi Sakthivel University of Cambridge
Kirill Romanenko University of Cambridge
James Taylor University of Cambridge