Abstract
Influences of tip clearance on the tip flow and associated loss mechanism in a contra-rotating axial flow fan has been studied in the paper, based on three dimensional numerical results. The results with different tip clearance are compared in terms of stage efficiency, relative total pressure loss coefficient, flow angle. It is found that the efficiency of the contra-rotating fan changes almost linearly with increment of the tip clearance, however, efficiency of the rear rotor is observed to decrease more dramatically than that of the forward rotor given same tip clearance variation. The analysis on the flow structure indicates that the tip region flow field is qualitatively similar in both rotors. However, with the same clearance value, the leakage flow in the rear rotor is effected by a tip leakage vortex of greater intensity caused by relative loading levels and the inter rotor interaction.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Sharma P B, Dekoya A. A.: A Review of Recent Research on Contra-Rotating Axial Flow Compressor Stage, ASME, 96-GT-254, (1996).
Roy B, Agrawal L A.: Casing Boundary Layer Control by Recess Vaned Casing for a Twin-Rotor Contra-Rotating Axial Flow Fan Unit, ASME, 94-GT-478, (1994).
Wisler, D. C.: Loss Reduction in Axial-Flow Compressors Through Low-Speed Model Testing, ASME, J. Eng, Gas Turbines and Power, vol.107, pp. 354–363, (1985).
Inoue M, Kuroumaru M, Fukuhara M.: Behavior of Tip Leakage Flow behind an Axial Compressor Rotor, ASME, 85-GT-62, (1985).
Kang, S., Hirsch, C.: Experimental Study on the Three-Dimensional Flow within a Compressor Cascade with Tip Clearance: Part I-Velocity and Pressure Fields, ASME, J. Turbomachinery, vol.115, pp. 435–443, (1993).
Kang, S., Hirsch, C.: Experimental Study on the Three-Dimensional Flow within a Compressor Cascade with Tip Clearance: Part II-the Tip Leakage Vortex, ASME, J. Turbomachinery, vol.115, pp. 444–452, (1993).
Chang, Z. Z.: Axial Flow Fans Design Technology, China, Mechanical Industry Press, Beijing, (2005) in Chinese.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Xu, J., Tan, C., Chen, H. et al. Influence of tip clearance on performance of a contra-rotating fan. J. Therm. Sci. 18, 207–214 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11630-009-0207-1
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11630-009-0207-1