The quest for greener, more efficient aircraft engines is the main driver for the development of innovative compression system designs. Reduced order design tools rely nevertheless on semi-empirical loss models, whose validity range is often not net or in general not verified. The present work aims at defining a set of loss correlations, which could readily be employed in the analysis and design process of modern transonic axial compressors. In part I, the main entropy generation mechanisms are described together with a review of the most commonly employed modelling approaches. Selected loss models are then deeper investigated and updated to increase both their range of validity and the accuracy of their predictions. In Part II, the effectiveness of the investigated models will be tested for one specific low aspect ratio axial compressor stage.

A novel experiment has been conceived at Politecnico di Milano for the study of the flow within and downstream of supersonic cascades of Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) turbines. This paper documents the first phase of the research, focused on the preliminary tests and studies performed by operating the facility with nitrogen as working fluid, to demonstrate the technical relevance of the experiment and the validity of the measurement system in a simplified thermodynamic condition. The set of measured data includes, beside the inlet total thermodynamic state, eight static pressure values obtained via taps manufactured on the test section rear end-wall, both within the bladed and semi-bladed region of the cascade, as well as a total pressure probe to retrieve the cascade performance. A double-passage Schlieren equipment was also employed to visualize the density gradients. Experiments show an outstanding repeatability, indicate a quasi-steady cascade operation during the blow-down process for all the pressure signal considered, and demonstrate a remarkable periodicity among two consecutive channels also in off-design conditions. Experimental data were also compared with CFD simulations, resulting in an excellent agreement for the pressure data acquired both within and downstream of the cascade.

The quest for greener, more efficient aircraft engines is the main driver for the development of innovative compression system designs. Reduced order design tools rely nevertheless on semi-empirical loss models, whose validity range is often not net or in general not verified. The present work aims at defining a set of loss correlations, which could readily be employed in the analysis and design process of modern transonic axial compressors. In Part I, various loss correlations were deeply described and, in some cases, updated to enhance both their generality and their prediction capability. In Part II, the effectiveness of both original and updated models will be tested for one specific low aspect ratio axial compressor stage. Experimental and numerical data will be used at such extent.