The Effects of Maximum Thickness and Surface Roughness Variability of Blades on the Performance of Axial Compressor

In this paper, an investigation to understand the effects of geometry variability of blades including maximum thickness and blade surface roughness on the axial transonic compressor performance parameters including efficiency and pressure ratio has been studied. A CFD code, which solves the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations, was used to simulate the complicated 3D flow field of the axial compressor. The code was validated against experimental data of the axial compressor. Numerical data showed good agreement with experimental data. Then, the effects of geometry variability on the axial compressor blade performance curves, was analysed. Results show that increasing surface roughness and blade thickness lead to decrease in the compressor efficiency, pressure ratio and mass flow significantly.