The accurate prediction of mean flow fields with high degrees of curvature, adverse pressure gradients, and three-dimensional turbulent boundary layers typically present in centrifugal compressor stages is a significant challenge when applying Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes turbulence modeling techniques. The current study compares the steady-state mixing plane predictions using four turbulence models for a centrifugal compressor stage with a tandem impeller and a “fish-tail” style discrete passage diffuser. The models analyzed are the model (an industry standard for many years), the shear stress transport (SST) model, a proposed modification to the SST model denoted as the SST-reattachment modification (RM), and the Speziale, Sarkar, and Gatski Reynolds stress model (RSM-SSG). Comparisons with measured performance parameters—the stage total-to-static pressure and total-to-total temperature ratios—indicate more accurate performance predictions from the RSM-SSG and SST models as compared to the and SST-RM models. Details of the different predicted flow fields are presented. Estimates of blockage, aerodynamic slip factor, and impeller exit velocity profiles indicate significant physical differences in the predictions at the impeller-diffuser interface. Topological flow field differences are observed: the separated tip clearance flow is found to reattach with the SST, SST-RM, and RSM-SSG models, while it does not with the model, a larger shroud separation at the impeller exit seen with the SST and SST-RM models, and core flow differences are in the complex curved diffuser geometry. The results are discussed in terms of the production and dissipation of predicted by the various models due to their intrinsic modeling assumptions. These comparisons will assist aerodynamic designers in choosing appropriate turbulence models, and may benefit future modeling research.
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January 2011
Research Papers
Assessment of Turbulence Model Predictions for an Aero-Engine Centrifugal Compressor
Jason A. Bourgeois,
Jason A. Bourgeois
Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering,
e-mail: jabourge@ucalgary.ca
University of Calgary
, 2500 University Drive Northwest, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
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Robert J. Martinuzzi,
Robert J. Martinuzzi
Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering,
University of Calgary
, 2500 University Drive Northwest, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
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Eric Savory,
Eric Savory
Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering,
University of Western Ontario
, 1151 Richmond Street North, London, ON, N6A 5B9, Canada
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Chao Zhang,
Chao Zhang
Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering,
University of Western Ontario
, 1151 Richmond Street North, London, ON, N6A 5B9, Canada
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Douglas A. Roberts
Douglas A. Roberts
Compressor Aerodynamics,
Pratt and Whitney Canada
, 1801 Courtney Park Drive, Mississauga, ON, L5T 1J3, Canada
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Jason A. Bourgeois
Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering,
University of Calgary
, 2500 University Drive Northwest, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canadae-mail: jabourge@ucalgary.ca
Robert J. Martinuzzi
Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering,
University of Calgary
, 2500 University Drive Northwest, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
Eric Savory
Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering,
University of Western Ontario
, 1151 Richmond Street North, London, ON, N6A 5B9, Canada
Chao Zhang
Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering,
University of Western Ontario
, 1151 Richmond Street North, London, ON, N6A 5B9, Canada
Douglas A. Roberts
Compressor Aerodynamics,
Pratt and Whitney Canada
, 1801 Courtney Park Drive, Mississauga, ON, L5T 1J3, CanadaJ. Turbomach. Jan 2011, 133(1): 011025 (15 pages)
Published Online: September 27, 2010
Article history
Received:
September 25, 2008
Revised:
January 6, 2010
Online:
September 27, 2010
Published:
September 27, 2010
Citation
Bourgeois, J. A., Martinuzzi, R. J., Savory, E., Zhang, C., and Roberts, D. A. (September 27, 2010). "Assessment of Turbulence Model Predictions for an Aero-Engine Centrifugal Compressor." ASME. J. Turbomach. January 2011; 133(1): 011025. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4001136
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