Experimental and Numerical Research on End-Wall Flow Mechanism of High-Loading Tandem Stators

Tandem blades have been recognized for their potential to enhance the loading capacity of compressors. However, tandem stators currently do not exhibit advantages due to insufficient understanding of the complex end-wall flow mechanisms. To address this, an extensive study was conducted on tandem stators using experimental and numerical methods. The analysis focused on loss development, three-dimensional flow structures, and interaction mechanisms between front and rear blades. The results indicated the following: (1) The rear blade’s influence on the front blade has contrasting effects in mid-span and end-wall regions. The stagnation action of the rear blade increases front blade load, leading to greater corner separation losses. (2) Mid-span flow losses account for over 60% of total losses near stalls, primarily due to increased mixing losses from the migration of front blade corner separations towards the mid-span region in the rear blade channel. (3) At higher mass flow rates, corner separations occur in the rear blade, driven by significant circumferential pressure differences at the front section of the rear blade, causing end-wall fluid migration towards suction surfaces. (4) Corner stalls predominantly occur in the front blade, with associated losses exceeding those in conventional blades.