Reduced Passage Method for Multirow Forced Response Computations

Abstract

This paper presents a time-domain Fourier method for modeling steady and unsteady nonaxisymmetric flows in turbomachinery on a reduced computational domain. The method extends well-established single-passage multirow methods, which efficiently model periodic unsteadiness in single stages, to assemblies with stationary circumferential perturbations with periodicity different from the blade count. Such perturbations are caused, for example, by rotor–rotor/stator–stator interaction or geometric circumferential variations. The method is therefore suitable to study low-engine-order forcing problems, flow past nonuniform assemblies, and clocking problems. The proposed method solves the flow inside several discrete passages, located at different circumferential positions, using a time-accurate scheme. Boundary conditions at the azimuthal and interrow surfaces are approximated via time–space Fourier series and couple the individual passages. The reduced passage model is validated against the whole annulus solution for three test cases: 1) a row of outlet guide vanes with stagger pattern, 2) a high-pressure turbine stage with throat area variation in the stator, and 3) a 1.5-stage compressor. It is demonstrated that the time-domain Fourier method yields results equivalent to the whole annulus model but at a much reduced computational cost.