Numerical Investigation of Internal Flow Field for Diffuser Passage Compressor

The influence of different grids on numerical prediction of subsonic compressor performance and stall was investigated. Two types of grids were examined, structured H type grid and structured O-H type grid. Evaluations were conducted by comparing the numerical results with experimental results obtained from a low-speed single-stage rig test for a new concept compressor, called diffuser passage compressor, aiming at improving tip clearance sensitivity. At low mass flow operating conditions, the numerical calculation with O-H type grid showed that the lowest mass flow operating point for which the calculation was able to converge was almost the same as the lowest steady mass flow obtained from the rig test. On the other hand, the numerical calculation with structured H type grid diverged at higher mass flow operating point. It was found that this difference was attributed to the effect of double-valuedness of H type grid that existed at leading edge on the boundary layer development on the blade surface.