Experimental Investigation on Droplet Behaviour in a Transonic Compressor Cascade

In recent years overspray fogging has become a powerful means for power augmentation of industrial gas turbines. Most of the studies concerning this topic focus on the problem from a thermodynamic point of view as summarized by Eisfeld and Joos [1]. Only a few studies, however, were undertaken to investigate the droplet behavior in the flow channel of a compressor. Eisfeld and Joos [2] and Ober [3] revealed qualitative results showing a large variety of two-phase phenomena present.In this paper results of experimental investigation of a water laden flow through a compressor cascade are presented. A finely dispersed spray was used in the measurements (D10 < 10μm). Results of the droplet behavior in a transonic compressor cascade are shown in terms of shadowgraphy images and images of the blade surface film pattern. The angle of attack, the incoming velocity and the water load were varied to estimate the influence of these parameters on the flow pattern. The qualitative observations of the flow pattern are related to LDA/PDA data of the flow channel and at the outlet of the cascade. The data represents a base for numerical and mean line models of two phase compressor flow concerning droplet-wall interactions as well as flow induced breakup.Copyright © 2014 by ASME