The exploitation of three-dimensional flow in turbomachinery design

Many of the phenomena involved in turbomachinery flow can be understood and predicted on a two-dimensional (2D) or quasi-three-dimensional (Q3D) basis, but some aspects of the flow must be considered as fully three-dimensional (3D) and cannot be understood or predicted by the Q3D approach. Probably the best known of these fully 3D effects is secondary flow, which can only be predicted by a fully 3D calculation which includes the vorticity at inlet to the blade row. It has long been recognized that blade sweep and lean also produce fully 3D effects and approximate methods of calculating these have been developed. However, the advent of fully 3D flow field calculation methods has made predictions of these complex effects much more readily available and accurate so that they are now being exploited in design. This paper will attempt to describe and discuss fully 3D flow effects with particular reference to their use to improve turbomachine performance. Although the discussion is restricted to axial flow machines, many of the phenomena discussed are equally applicable to mixed and radial flow turbines and compressors.