Study on the aerodynamic performance and rivulet characteristics of a compressor cascade with rain ingestion

Rain ingestion significantly impacts axial compressor performance by modifying blade-surface water distribution and local aerodynamic loads. This study employs a linear-cascade two-phase flow test rig combined with high-speed imaging and a computer-vision algorithm to quantify rivulet and water-film dynamics under varying droplet sizes, water air ratio (WAR), cascade geometries, and attack angles. Results indicate that higher WAR and larger droplets increase total pressure loss, deviation-angle fluctuations, and early tendency of flow separation. Blade geometry amplifies these effects, with positive attack angle producing fewer but higher rivulets, and negative attack angle generating more numerous yet lower rivulets. Nonlinear correlations between rivulet height and local static pressure highlight the complex multiphase–aerodynamic interaction. These insights offer quantitative guidance for blade design and performance mitigation under wet-air conditions.