Vortex structure control based bleed in axial compressor cascade with tip clearance using large eddy simulation

Abstract As an essential component, the bleed system plays a critical role in supplying turbine cooling air, guaranteeing stage matching, pressurizing the cabin, and de-icing at the wing and engine inlet. However, the extraction of the bleeding air from the compressor causes the engine efficiency degradation and thrust deficit. Therefore, flow control based on bleed is conducted to compensate the bleed induced disadvantages. The influence of the circumferential bleeding slot location on the tip leakage vortex and passage vortex controlling in a compressor cascade with the tip clearance is numerically studied using large eddy simulation. Three bleed configurations and the smooth casing configuration are investigated. 17.11% loss reduction is obtained through bleeding at 10% c x upstream of the blade leading edge with a bleeding rate of 2.76%. The vortex structures and flow patterns are compared and analyzed to reveal the controlling mechanism. Subsequently, the axial vorticity and loss evolution is discussed, and the interaction between the primary flow and bleeding air is revealed. It’s found that bleeding slot placed within the blade passage is exposed into a highly static pressure gradient, and this causes the bleeding air flows into and spills out the bleeding slot and leads to unnecessary loss. Moreover, the influence of large bleeding rate and inlet boundary layer is assessed.