The loss mechanism due to the blade row interaction effects in a compressor is an important and interesting problem. In the present paper, the loss in a compressor stage under both peak efficiency (PE) and near stall (NS) operating conditions is studied numerically by solving the 3D unsteady RANS equations. The loss is measured in terms of the thermodynamic irreversibility. In order to examine the relationship between loss and flow structures, an intensive parameter called the intensity of irreversibility is derived. The relative importance of various flow structures in loss production has been identified by the orders of the intensity of irreversibility. An audit of the irreversibility has been carried out, which shows the importance of suction surface boundary layers and the tip leakages in loss generation. Under the NS conditions, the tip leakages are the most important sources of loss production. The unsteady evolution of irreversibility in the rotor and stator passage is also analyzed.
展开▼
