Prediction of Axial-Flow Turbomachine Performance by Blade-Element Methods

Abstract

The blade-element method has been used effectively in the solution of the design problem for axial-flow turbomachines. A considerable body of data has been acquired to support the use of this system. The method has been applied in the investigation reported in this paper to the performance-prediction problem for blade rows in incompressible and compressible flows. Radial distributions of velocity and fluid properties were determined by numerical solution of the radial equilibrium condition, with radial entropy gradients included by using blade-element losses estimated from available experimental information. The effect of a loss gradient on the predicted performance of a typical axial-flow pump configuration is indicated and, for the case of an axial-flow compressor rotor operating in air, performance predicted is compared with experimentally measured performance.