Inductive plasma excitation forcing configuration on reduction of tip distorted inflow effect on the aerodynamic stability of axial compressor rotor

Abstract

This research delves into the mitigating impacts of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma excitation induced forcing orientation against the detrimental consequences of distinct radial tip distortions which in turn affect the axial compressor rotor performance and alters the flow structure at the tip region. Full annulus transient CFD simulation was utilized to evaluate the consequences of plasma actuation at distorted conditions with different blockage percentages. Beyond flow field and frequency analysis, the study further characterized rotor performance under different conditions by evaluating key performance metrics, including total pressure rise coefficient, stall margin variation, and span-wise rotor inlet velocity distribution. The injection of momentum caused by plasma actuators to the low-energy region behind the distortion screens proved to be effective on rotor aerodynamic stability facing radial tip distortion. In the case where 15 % of the inlet area was blocked, the stall margin varied from -8 % to -3.5 % with axial plasma actuators in action. However, the best configuration of plasma actuators for the enhancement of the stall margin and flow characteristics was identified to have opposite forcing direction with respect to the rotor rotational velocity. Additionally, these actuators suppressed frequencies caused by fluctuations in the rotor blade row tip leakage vortex, suggesting an improvement in the flow pattern within the rotor tip area.