Pressure and Temperature Distortion Testing of a Two-Stage Centrifugal Compressor

Abstract

Altitude pressure and temperature inlet distortion testing of the two-stage centrifugal compressor in the T800-LHT-800 engine is described. The test setup and the testing techniques are reviewed and the results of the test are presented. The generation of classical 180 deg patterns of both pressure and temperature distortion is discussed. Temperature distortion was created using a hydrogen burner system while pressure distortion was created in the classical manner, using screens. Results of both individual and combined temperature and pressure distortions in both opposed and concurrent patterns are shown.

Experimental Investigation of a Forced-Response Condition in a Multistage Compressor

“…Temperature distortion studies in modern research literature are much less common, but this does not discount the importance of studying its effects on compressor performance. Cousins et al (1994) cite that temperature effects on compressor performance, in particular surge and stall margin, can outweigh the effects of pressure distortion, much to the contrary of researchers who claim the opposite. Temperature distortion decreased surge margin by nearly 10%, and similar results were seen with combined pressure and temperature distortion.…”

“…Research done by Cousins et al (1994) claims that total temperature distortion has a greater effect on compressor stability than total pressure distortion. They operated a twostage centrifugal compressor that was outfitted with a hydrogen gas burner to create temperature distortion patterns and screens to create pressure distortions.…”

“…Cousins et al (1994) notes that the aerodynamic time constant for a compressor blade is a function of blade chord, and that a longer time constant of a centrifugal compressor is significantly longer than that of most axial machines, which makes them more tolerant to distortion effects than axial compressors. This is affirmed in research by Zemp et al (2010) and Kammerer and Abhari (2010) showing that by the time the airflow reaches the exit of the impeller blade chord, the effects of inlet distortion are much less significant than at the inlet.…”

Effects of Inlet Pressure Distortion on the Performance and Flow Field of a Centrifugal Compressor at Design Condition

“…Eisenlohr and Benfer [5] had carried out limited experiments with inlet total pressure distortion on a high pressure ratio centrifugal compressor. Cousins et al [6] studied the effect of pressure and temperature distortion on the performance of a twostage centrifugal compressor. Zemp et al [7] have carried out CFD studies on inlet distortion effects in a centrifugal compressor.…”

Numerical investigations of mass-flux redistribution and performance prediction model on coupling effects of total pressure distortion-low Reynolds number in axial compressor

“…Therefore, assessment of the coupling effects between the destabilizing factors is an essential part of reasonably assigning stability margins to compressor and designing an advanced compressor. Extensive studies [5][6][7][8][9] in previous works have been carried out on the effects of temperature and pressure distortion combination, but less attention has been paid to the coupling of other factors. The coupling effects of total pressure distortion and low Reynolds number, two key factors affecting the stability of a compressor, occur frequently in the flight envelope.…”