Validation of Transonic Axial Compressor Stage Unsteady-State Rotor-Stator Simulations

The paper describes the validation of steady-state and unsteady CFD simulations against experimental data from a single-stage, transonic axial compressor stage. The experimental data include overall compressor performance, high-resolution traverses of total pressure and total temperature, and unsteady-state total pressure measurements downstream of the rotor. Various numerical rotor-stator interaction methods were applied across the operational speedline. These included a steady-state method mixing plane, and a transient time inclination method that accounts for the unsteady rotor to stator pitch change. Best practice procedures were employed to assess and quantify the sensitivity of the simulations to numerical error like mesh and timestep size, turbulence model error and systematic errors related to tip gap, and steady-state or unsteady-state flow assumptions. The effect of turbulence on the mean flow is modelled by a URANS approach based on the SST model and its extensions for laminar-turbulent transition and reattachment prediction. The complex unsteady flow interactions between the rotor and stator were validated against steady-state and unsteady experimental data. The compressor flow is explained in detail including transonic flow features like shock boundary layer interactions. Comparisons are made between the various rotor-stator interaction simulation methods and the experimental data.