Identification and Evaluation of Loss and Deviation Models for use in Transonic Compressor Stage Performance Prediction

The correlation of cascade experimental data is one method for obtaining compressor stage characteristics. These correlations specify pressure loss and flow turning caused by the blades. Current open literature correlations used in streamline curvature codes are inadequate for general application to high-speed transonic axial-flow compressors. The objective of this research was to investigate and evaluate the available correlations and ultimately discover sets of correlations which best fit the empirical data to be used in streamline curvature codes. Correlations were evaluated against experimental data from NASA Rotor 1-B and NASA Stage 35. It was found that no universal set of correlations was valid for minimum-loss point predictions. The Bloch shock loss model showed promising results in the stall regime for supersonic relative inlet Mach numbers. The Hearsey and Creveling off-minimum-loss deviation angle prediction performed consistently better than all other correlations tested.