Some Recent Research in Turbo-Machinery

Abstract

Research on turbo-machinery carried out at Liverpool University in the period 1958-66 is reviewed. The work described includes: (1) The accurate determination of two-dimensional incompressible flow in cascades; and an assessment of the effects of contraction of the mainstream. (2) A study of the nature of the flow on the end walls of compressor cascades, including the prediction of the laminar and turbulent boundary layer development on these walls. The interaction of these boundary layers with flows due to tip clearance is discussed. The effect of separation of the flow from the end walls upon the contraction of mainstream and the stalling performance of the blading is important and is strongly dependent on the aspect ratio of the cascades. (3) A series of experiments on rotating machines. The performance of compressor blading in stationary cascades and in the blade rows of an axial compressor is compared and the effect of aspect ratio on compressor stage performance is determined. A number of observations are made on the stalling of compressor stages and calculations of the three-dimensional flow in turbo-machines are reported.