Numerical and Experimental Investigations of the Three-Dimensional-Flow Structure of Tandem Cascades in the Sidewall Region

Abstract

Tandem blades can be superior to single blades, particularly when large turning angles are required. This is well documented in the open literature and many investigations have been performed on the 2D-flow of tandem cascades to date. However, much less information on the flow near the sidewalls is available. Thus, the question arises as to how the geometry of a tandem cascade should be chosen near the sidewall in order to minimize the flow losses for large turning angles. The present work examines the 3D-flow field in the region of the sidewall of two high turning tandem cascades. A large spacing ratio was chosen for the forward blade of the first tandem cascade ((t/l)1=1.92). The second tandem cascade possessed a smaller spacing ratio for the forward blades ((t/l)1=1.0). Both cascades had the same total spacing ratio of t/l=0.6. Flow phenomena, such as the corner stall of the 3D boundary layer near the sidewall, are examined using both numerical and experimental methods. The empirical correlations of Lieblein and Lei are applied. The flow topology of both tandem cascades is explained and the locations of loss onset are identified. In addition, oil pictures from experiments and streamline pictures of the numerical simulations are shown and discussed for the flow close to the sidewalls. Finally, design rules such as the aerodynamic load splitting and the spacing ratio of the forward- and aft-blades, etc. are taken into account. The examinations are performed for tandem cascades designed for flow turning of approximately 50 deg at a Reynolds number of 8×105. The tandem cascades consist of NACA65 blades with circular camber lines and an aspect ratio of b/l=1.0.