Attenuation of Detrimental Hub Leakage Effects in an Axial Compressor Rotor by Customized Geometrical Design Features

Abstract

Abstract The aerodynamic impact of hub gap leakage on the performance characteristics of an axial compressor rotor in conventional design (no blisk) with a high hub-to-tip ratio has been investigated using three-dimensional steady-state Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes simulations. The inclusion of circumferential hub gaps in front of the leading edge and after the trailing edge, as well as inter-platform leakage, reduced the total pressure ratio and the polytropic efficiency of the rotor by as much as 3.74% and 3.97%, respectively, compared to a design case with clean endwalls. Potential design recommendations in terms of improved aerodynamic robustness against leakage effects were derived from the separate sealing of each hub gap. Six geometry modifications were assessed, which based on these results. In a throttled operating condition, large edge radii in the front gap on the disk and platform partially recovered the initial losses of both the total pressure ratio (17.7%) and polytropic efficiency (19.6%). A circular lateral platform shape with the opening pointing toward the blade’s pressure side showed superior loss recovery capabilities at a dethrottled operating point. The combination of both features did not reduce the losses further. However, the circular lateral platform shape combined with smaller front gap chamfers proved more beneficial in a throttled state.