A rapid method for turbomachinery aerodynamic design and optimization using active subspace

Abstract

Preliminary design is a crucial step in the turbomachinery aerodynamic design process, which involves the initial conceptualization and serves as the foundation for subsequent detailed design and analysis. During preliminary design, designers typically use a combination of empirical correlations, simplified flow models, and computational tools to evaluate the impact of different design parameters on the machine’s performance. This iterative process heavily relies on the designer’s experience and knowledge, and errors made during preliminary design may not be rectifiable in later design phases. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a novel optimization strategy for turbomachinery aerodynamic preliminary design using active subspace. The method utilizes active subspace techniques to reduce the dimensionality of the design space, making efficient and accurate exploration of the space possible. In addition, the open-access <italic>Multall</italic> turbomachinery design suite is employed to evaluate the aero-thermal performance of different designs. The method was then utilized to optimize the aerodynamic design of the blade profile for a ducted fan. Results show that the optimization strategy can identify the most significant directions in the design space, providing designers with a clear path to achieving an optimal design. Overall, the proposed method can be of good value to the turbomachinery design community attribute to its reduced dependence on the designer’s experience and elevated efficiency of the design process.