NASA Low-Speed Centrifugal Compressor for 3-D Viscous Code Assessment and Fundamental Flow Physics Research

Abstract

A low speed centrifugal compressor facility is described. The purpose of this facility is to obtain detailed flow field measurements for computational fluid dynamic code assessment and flow physics modelling in support of Army and NASA efforts to advanced small gas turbine engine technology. The facility is heavily instrumented with pressure and temperature probes, both in the stationary and rotating frames of reference, and has provisions for flow visualization and laser velocimetry. The facility will accommodate rotational speeds to 2400 rpm and is rated at pressures to 1.25 atm. The initial compressor stage being tested is geometrically and dynamically representative of modern high-performance centrifugal compressor stages with the exception of Mach number levels. Preliminary experimental investigations of inlet and exit flow uniformity and measurement repeatability are presented. These results demonstrate the high quality of the data which may be expected from this facility. The significance of synergism between computational fluid dynamic analyses and experimentation throughout the development of the low speed centrifugal compressor facility is demonstrated.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA242473

Entities

People

  • J. R. Wood
  • M. D. Hathaway

Organizations

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Air Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Army Aviation
  • Boundary Layer
  • Centrifugal Compressors
  • Compressors
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Engineering
  • Flow Fields
  • Flow Rate
  • Flow Visualization
  • Gas Turbines
  • Geometry
  • Instrumentation
  • Mach Number
  • Mass Flow
  • Pressure Distribution
  • Three Dimensional
  • Turbines

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics.
  • Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy