Abstract:
To explore the flow pattern under conditions of high altitude low Reynolds number in transonic compressor, simulation for NASA Rotor37 was conducted to probe for its vortex structure in secondary flow at high altitude condition. The study finds that the pressure side branch of horseshoe vortex induces a small-scale vortex located on the pressure side corner area near hub, corner vortex form a two-stage vortex with downstream and upstream directions, shedding vortex is developed from blade root and shed from the trailing edge, and leakage vortex near stall point only partially rupture, not as the main reason for the instability. Channel shock waves induce two radial vortexes near suction side and pressure side, the pressure side radial vortex forms a closed bubble separation, suction side radial vortex crash in blade tip passage and induce separation vortex, triggering compressor's instability under low Reynolds number. Vortex structure is consisted of horseshoe vortex, corner vortex, radial vortex, leakage vortex, separation vortex, shedding vortex and other small-scale vortexes.