Simple Design Methods for the Prediction of Radial Static Pressure Distributions in a Rotor-Stator Cavity With Radial Inflow

Abstract

Research has been conducted into the effects of component geometry and air bleed flow on the radial variation of static pressure and core tangential velocity in a rotor-stator cavity of the type often found behind the impeller of a gas turbine engine centrifugal compressor. A CFD code, validated by rig test data for a wide range of rotor-stator axial gaps and throughflows, has been used to generate pressure and velocity data for typical gas turbine operating conditions. This data has been arranged as a series of simple design curves which relate the rotational speed of the core of fluid between rotor and stator boundary layers, and hence the static pressure distribution, to primary cavity geometry, rotational Reynolds number and bleed throughflow with particular attention to radial inflowing bleeds. Details are provided on the use and limitations of these curves. Predictions using this method have been compared successfully with measured data from engine test and a compressor test rig, modified to facilitate variable quantity and direction of impeller rear face bleed flow, at typical gas turbine operational power conditions. Data generated by these curves can be used directly in the design process and to validate integral momentum methods which can provide relatively simple computation of rotor-stator cavity pressure and velocity distributions independently or within air system network programs. This approach is considered to be a cost and time effective addition to the analytical design process especially if validated CFD code, which can accommodate rotational flows consistently and accurately, is not available.