Multipoint design optimization for a controlled diffusion airfoil compressor cascade

Abstract

Under high altitude and low Reynolds number conditions, the aerodynamic performance of compressor cascades deteriorates drastically. In this paper, an optimally designed system combining class-shape-transformation method, S1 surface flow solver and whale optimization algorithm was established to achieve for a controlled diffusion airfoil, called MANGHH. The aim of this work is to improve our understanding of the loss mechanism for the original cascade and optimal cascade under different inflow conditions. The study shows that the total pressure loss of the optimal cascade at an angle of attack of −4°, 0°, and 6° decreases by 55.9%, 16.1%, and 16.3%, respectively, compared with the original controlled diffusion airfoil. The range of the available low loss incidence improves significantly. At different incidences, the optimal cascade moves the blade loading forward compared with that of the original controlled diffusion airfoil while reducing the growth rate of the boundary layer thickness, eliminating a wide range of flow separations. The optimal cascade reduces the total pressure loss mainly by reducing trailing edge mixing loss compared with that of the original controlled diffusion airfoil. Under different inlet Mach number conditions, a laminar separation bubble appears on the suction surface of the original controlled diffusion airfoil. As the inlet Mach number increases, the position of the laminar separation bubble moves slightly upstream, while the length and depth of the laminar separation bubble increase. Fortunately, the total pressure loss of the optimal cascade decreases significantly compared with that of the original controlled diffusion airfoil. Under different incoming turbulence intensity conditions, the total pressure loss of the optimal cascade is always lower than that of the original controlled diffusion airfoil. As the incoming turbulence intensity increases, the total pressure loss of the original controlled diffusion airfoil decreases first and then increases. However, the total pressure loss of the optimal cascade increases with increasing incoming turbulence intensity due to the improvement of the turbulence dissipation capacity.