CFD analysis of flow control in compressor cascade using MVGs

Abstract The present study reports the numerical investigation of the compressor cascade. To minimize the separation phenomenon in the compressor cascade, a passive flow control device i.e. Micro Vortex Generator (MVG) is utilized. MVG is a very simple and lightweight attachment mounted infront of the leading edge of the cascade blade. Due to being passive in nature, it neither consumes power nor requires any external device to actuate. The numerical simulations were carried out on a highly loaded compressor cascade at an angle of incidence of −1° under subsonic conditions at Mach number 0.2. The profile of the compressor cascade blade was double circular arc (DCA), unsymmetrical and cambered at 40°. Two different types of micro vortex generators were mounted infront of the leading edge in the compressor cascade to control the secondary flows since secondary flows were responsible for various losses in cascade. To analyze the flow under incompressoible state of air (M = 0.2), Star CCM + software has been used. To simulate the flow under turbulent condition, k-ω SST turbulence model was used. A velocity profile of 25 mm boundary layer thickness was extracted and used as an input in the compressor cascade. Mounting of MVG on compressor cascade enhanced drag but also increased lift. Total pressure loss coefficient (TPLC) was calculated to compare the losses. The aerodynamic efficiency in terms of coefficient of lift and coefficient of drag has been used to study the effect of MVG over cascade. It is found that there is reduction in total pressure loss coefficient (TPLC) for trapezoidal and curved trapezoidal types of MVGs and the decrease in percentage are 2.17 and 8.86%, respectively. Alos, aerodynamic efficiency is increased by mounting trapezoidal and curved trapezoidal types of MVG and the increase in percentages are 2.03 and 3.10%, respectively.