Control of Corner Separation with Plasma Actuation in a High-Speed Compressor Cascade

Abstract

Abstract:The performances of modern highly loaded compressors are limited by the corner separations. Plasma actuation is a typical active flow control methodology, which has been proven to be capable of controlling the corner separations in low-speed compressor cascades. The main purpose of this paper is to uncover the flow control law and the mechanism of high-speed compressor cascade corner separation control with plasma actuations. The control effects of the suction surface as well as the endwall plasma actuations in suppressing the high-speed compressor cascade flow separations are investigated with numerical methods. The main flow structures within the high-speed compressor cascade corner separation and the development of the corresponding flow loss are investigated firstly. Next, the performances of plasma actuations in suppressing the high-speed compressor cascade corner separation are studied. At last, the mechanisms behind the control effects of the suction surface and the endwall plasma actuations are discussed. Both the suction surface and the endwall plasma actuations can improve the high-speed compressor cascade static pressure rise coefficient, while reducing the corresponding total pressure loss and blockage coefficients. The suction surface plasma actuation can suppress not only the high-speed compressor cascade corner separation vortex but also the airfoil separation, so, compared to the endwall plasma actuation, the suction surface plasma actuation is more efficient in reducing the total pressure loss of the high-speed compressor cascade. However, through suppressing the development of the passage vortex, the endwall plasma actuation is more efficient in reducing the flow blockage and improving the static pressure rise of the high-speed compressor cascade.

Dynamic mode decomposition analysis of plasma aeroelastic control of airfoils in cascade

“…Notice that the body forces are still compliant with modern plasma actuators, see e.g. [20]. Actuating against the freestream causes the development of low-speed recirculating flow areas.…”

Special Issue “Active Flow Control Technologies for Energy and Propulsive Systems”

“…In reference [9], the mechanism of high-speed compressor cascade corner separation control with plasma actuations was investigated.…”

Optimization of the hole exit shape of the vortex generator jets in a compressor cascade

“…Therefore, flow control technologies are used to control the separation and improve compressor performance. Common active control methods include boundary layer suction, 1,2 boundary layer blowing, 3 plasma actuation, 4 synthetic jet, 2 and so on.…”