Numerical study on the separation and superposition of the influences from up- and downstream rotors

A three-dimensional Navier-Stokes solver is used to investigate the separation and superposition of the influences from upstream and downstream rotors in an axial-radial combined compressor for unsteady design applications. The data from rotor/stator and stator/rotor configurations show that the unsteady flow response in axial stator passage is caused only by one rotor. The results from the rotor/stator/rotor configuration revealed the superimposed characteristic of influences from upstream and downstream the rotor. The impact of the superimposed characteristic was studied by analyzing the virtual relative flow angle at the stator exit. The results show that the axial velocity in the passage of axial stator can be influenced by wake from upstream axial rotor and potential field of downstream radial rotor. While they are coupled to have an effect on the unsteady flow in axial stator passage, the excitation or suppression phenomena appear and lead to different levels of deterministic fluctuation kinetic energy. Their locations are determined by the frequencies of the involved influences. In addition, the variability of superimposed characteristic (excitation and suppression) at the stator exit modulates the inlet flow angle for downstream rotor.