https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?

R=19930082962 2019-02-01T09:27:46+00:00Z

. NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

FOR AERONAUTICS

TECHNICAL NOTE 2302

A GENERAL THROUGH-FLOW THEORY O F FLUID FLOW WITH

SUBSONIC OR SUPERSONIC VELOCITY IN TURBOMACHINES

O F ARBITRARY HUB AND CASING SHAPES

By Chung-Hua Wu

L e w i s Flight Propulsion L a b o r a t o r y
Cleveland, Ohio

ENGINEERING DEPT. LIBRARY

CHANCE-YBUGHT AIRCRAFT
DALLAS, TEXAS

I Washington
March 1951
 NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMTTTEE FOR AERONAUTICS

d TECRmICAL NOTE 2302

VELOCITY IN TURBOMACHINES OF ARBITRARY RUB AND CASING SHAPES

By Chung-Hua Wu

SUMMARY

A general steady through-flow f;heory of nonviscous f l u i d i n turbo-

machineq'of a r b i t r a r y hub- and c a s h g - w a l l shapes with subsonic or
supersonic v e l o c i t y i s presented. The theory i s applicable t o both
d i r e c t and inverse problems and i s derived primarily f o r use i n turbo-
machines having t h i n blades of high s o l i d i t y with a simple approximate
correction f a c t o r f o r blade-thickness e f f e c t . Through t h e use of t h e
stream function, t h e continuity equation apd t h e equation of motion i n
t h e r a d i a l d i r e c t i o n a r e combined t o form a p r i n c i p a l equation f o r t h e
present problem. The p r i n c i p a l equation contains some terms t h a t a r e
e i t h e r prescribed or t o be determined by other equations defining t h e
problem. Two forms of t h e princzpal equation a r e obtained f o r t h e two
main groups of current compressor and t u r b i n e design i n which t h e v a r i -
a t i o n of t a n g e n t i a l v e l o c i t y and t h e v a r i a t i o n of t h e r a t i o of tangen-
e t i a l t o a x i a l v e l o c i t y throughout t h e blade region a r e given. When t h e
t a n g e n t i a l v e l o c i t y i s given, t h e p r i n c i p a l equation i s e l l i p t i c o r
hyperbolic, depending on whether t h e meridional v e l o c i t y i s subsonic o r
supersonic, respectively. When a r e l a t i o n between t h e t a n g e n t i a l and
t h e a x i a l v e l o c i t y i s given, however, t h e p r i n c i p a l equation becomes
hyperbolic when t h e r e l a t i v e v e l o c i t y i s supersonic. A general method
of solution f o r both t h e e l l i p t i c and t h e hyperbolic case i s outlined.
Specific applications of t h e theory t o several common types of com-
pressor and t u r b i n e employing free-vortex, symmetrical-velocity-diagram,
solid-rotation-type, nontwisted-blade, and radial-blade-element designs
a r e discussed.

INTRODUCTION

d i t h t h e increasing use of v e l o c i t y diagrams other than f r e e -

vortex type, low i n l e t hub-tip-radius r a t i o s , and high v e l o c i t y of flow,
t h e problem of three-dimensional flow i n axial-flow turbomachines
becomes more and more importan-c. This problem i s t r e a t e d by Traupel,
4
Meyer, and Marble (references 1 t o 3) f o r incompressible f l u i d .
 NACA TN 2302

Compressible flow i s t r e a t e d Tn reference 4, i n which methods f o r >.G

l i m i t i n g solutions of zero and i n f i n i t e - b l a d e aspect r a t i o a r e obtained

and a step-by-step method, a s well a s a simpler method based on an
approximate knowledge of t h e shape of streamlines, i s given f o r f i n i t e - t-
LO
blade aspect r a t i o . I n reference 5, Reisner gives a method of blade 0
N
design f o r compressible flow with t h e shape of neither hub nor casing
wall s p e c i f i e d i n advance. The problem of supersonic flow i n impellers
of a given casing and blade shape i s c u r r e n t l y being investigated by
Arthur W. Goldstein of t h e NACA Lewis laboratory.

The analysis made a t t h e NACA Lewis laboratory and presented

herein proposes a unified theory t h a t is applicable t o both direct, and
inverse problems f o r both subsonic and supersonic flows i n compressors
and turbines of a r b i t r a r y hub- and casing-wall shapes.

Equations of motion and energy f o r unsteal'ly three-dimensional flow

of a nonviscous compressible f l u i d a r e expressed i n terms of some con-
venient q u a n t i t i e s f o r analyzing flow i n turbomachines. Entropy changes
due t o heat t r a n s f e r i n a cooled turbine and due t o shock wave i n
supersonic flow can e a s i l y be accommodated. The condition under which
irrotational-flow analysis i s correct i s a l s o discussed.

The general equations a r e then simplified f o r steady through-flow

i n turbomachines having t h i n blades of high s o l i d i t y . It i s shown
t h a t , i n t h e d i r e c t problem, j u s t enough equations e x i s t t o determine
a l l t h e variables; whereas i n t h e inverse problem, a f t e r t h e inclusion
of t h e i n t e g r a b i l i t y condition f o r t h e blade surface, e i t h e r one v a r i -
able or a r e l a t i o n between several variables can be s p e c i f i e d by t h e
designer.

I n t h e solution of t h e problem, t h e continuity equation and t h e

equation of motion i n t h e r a d i a l d i r e c t i o n a r e combined i n t o a p r i n c i p a l
equation through t h e use of t h e stream function. This equation
involves some terms t h a t a r e e i t h e r given o r t o be determined by other
equations defining t h e present problem. Two forms of t h e p r i n c i p a l
equation a r e obtained f o r two main groups of' designs i n which t h e v a r i -
a t i o n of t a n g e n t i a l v e l o c i t y and t h e v a r i a t i o n of t h e r a t i o of tangen-
t i a l and a x i a l v e l o c i t i e s a r e prescribed by t h e designer. The c r i t e -
rions of whether t h e p r i n c i p a l equation i s e l l i p t i c -or hyperbolic a r e
obtained f o r both groups.

A general method of solving t h e s e t of equations f o r both t h e

d i r e c t and t h e inverse problems i s then described f o r turbomachines of
a r b i t r a r y hub- and casing-wall shapes and f o r e i t h e r a n e l l i p t i c o r
hyperbolic p r i n c i p a l equation.
 The dimensionless forms of t h e p r i n c i p a l and other equations f o r
some t y p i c a l designs a r e given. A simple approximate correction f o r
blade thickness i s a l s o given.

SYMBOLS

The following symbols a r e used i n t h i s report:

a v e l o c i t y of sound

m i d i f f e r e n t i a t i o n c o e f f i c i e n t s i n equation (70) used t o m u l t i -

nBj p l y function value a t point
at xi using polynomial of nth degree
xj t o give mth derivative

b,f,J,K, functions of r and z

L,M,N

C constant

Cp 9 Cv s p e c i f i c heat of gas a t constant pressure and volume,

respectively
t?

-
D
Dt
d i f f e r e n t i a t i o n with respect t o time following motion of
fluid particle

Dmq mth derivative of q

F blade f o r c e per u n i t mass of f l u i d

G Green' s function

R t o t a l enthalpy per u n i t mass of f l u i d , h

v2
+-2

h enthalpy p e r u n i t mass of f l u i d

k thermal conductivity

Z c h a r a c t e r i s t i c curve
.4
m order of derivative

.W
 NACA TN 2302

degree of polynomial

pressure

heat added t o f l u i d p a r t i c l e along path of motion per u n i t

mass per u n i t time

dependent variable

gas constant

remainder term of mth derivative a t point Xi obtained by

using polynomial of nth degree

c y l i n d r i c a l coordinates r e l a t i v e t o s t a t or

c y l i n d r i c a l coordinates r e l a t i v e t o r o t o r

entropy per u n i t mass

temperature

time

v e l o c i t y of blade a t radius r

i n t e r n a l energy per u n i t mass with 0' absolute a s base

temperature

absolute f l u i d v e l o c i t y

relative f l u i d velocity

independent variable

arc tan -
wu
wz
g r i d spacing i n r- and z-directions, respectively

r a t i o of s p e c i f i c heats

average value of r
NACA TN 2302

7,c independent variables

dr
h slope of c h a r a c t e r i s t i c curve, -
dz

wu
P = tan @ = -
wz
P value of x between xo and xn

P mass density

#' - stream function

cu angular v e l o c i t y of blade

Subscripts:

b t r a i l i n g edge of guide vane

c leading edge of r o t o r
1

d t r a i l i n g edge of r o t o r

e leading edge of s t a t o r

h hub .

i inlet

j any s t a t i o n

m meridional

o r e f e r s t o p o s i t i o n where blade element i s r a d i a l o r Fr = 0

~ J U Z, r a d i a l , circumferential, and a x i a l components

T total state "

t a t t i p o r casing

Superscripts :

a,b, g r i d points
i,j,k,z
* dimensionless values
6 NACA TIiT 2302

GENERCII; BASIC EQUATIONS

The three-dimensional compressible flow of a nonviscous gas

through a turbomachine i s governed by t h e following s e t of b a s i c l a w s
of aerothermodynamics: From t h e p r i n c i p l e of conservation of matter,
t h e equation of continuity i s

For a blade r o t a t i n g a t a constant angular speed

law of motion gives
z, Newton's second

The f i r s t law of thermodynamics may be w r i t t e n as &?a

where u i s r e l a t e d t o t h e gas temperature T by

and Q i s given by t h e following equation i f only conduction i s con-

s idered :

For t h e range of gas temperature and pressure encountered i n ordinary

turbomachines, p, p, and T a r e accurately r e l a t e d by t h e following
equation of s t a t e
NACA TN 2302

Although t h e flow of gas through t h e turbomachine i s completely

defined by t h e preceding equations together with t h e known v a r i a t i o n s
of c, and k with temperature and t h e given boundary and i n i t i a l
conditions, i n reference 4 it i s found more convenient t o express t h e
s t a t e of t h e gas i n terms of entropy, t o t a l enthalpy, o r a quantity I
of t h e gas, i n addition t o i t s v e l o c i t y components. These q u a n t i t i e s
a r e defined a s follows:

where

h = u + p p
-1 (10)

When equations (41, ( 6 ) , ( 7 ) , (lo), and t h e r e l a t i o n ,

R = cp - cv = (y-l)cv

which follows from equations ( 4 ) , ( 6 ) , and (lo), a r e used, t h e r e a r e

obtained

and t h e equation of continuity can be w r i t t e n a s

 From equations ( 9 ) and (11),

. With t h i s equation and t h e r e l a t i o n

t h e equation of motion ( 2 ) can be w r i t t e n a s

at- BXQXG) + Z;;XG = -m + Tos (14)

An a l t e r n a t e form of equation (14) t h a t involves t h e v o r t i c i t y of t h e
absolute motion i s obtained as follows: Using t h e c y l i n d r i c a l coor-
dinate system with t h e z-axis p a r a l l e l t o E; yields

but

vx (ZXF) = ( r - v )- ~( E ; . v )+~z(v.r) - r(~.cu)

= 6

Hence,

This r e l a t i o n can a l s o be seen from t h e following expressions of r e l a -

t i v e and absolute v o r t i c i t y expressed i n terms of c y l i n d r i c a l coor-
dinates r,Cp,z and r,8,z, which r e f e r t o t h e r o t o r and s t a t o r ,
respectively :
z e NACA TN 2302

and t h e r e l a t i o n

When equation (15a) i s used, t h e a l t e r n a t e form of equation (14) i s

at- Gx(7xT) = -or + T'Js

The use of equations (2) , ( 9 ) , and (11)yields

-- - -
DU
= r Dt
+ p
'
p a t
+ i-(u% - ZWXW) - u . ~

Hence, energy equation (3) can be w r i t t e n a s

The preceding equations l e a d t o several important general considerations.

If t h e blade rows a r e not placed t o o close together, t h e pressure

of gas a t a f i x e d point r e l a t i v e t o t h e blade can be taken a s constant
with respect t o time. Consequently, according t o equation (20), t h e
entropy and t h e quantity I of t h e gas s t a y constant along i t s r e l a -
t i v e streamlines f o r adiabatic flow. The constancy of I means t h a t
4 t h e r a t e of change of t o t a l enthalpy along t h e streamline i s equal t o
t h e angular speed of t h e blade multiplied by t h e r a t e of change of &*

angular momentum about t h e machine a x i s of t h e gas p a r t i c l e along i t s t-

streamline, which i s t h e well-known Euler turbine equation usually o
LO
derived under l e s s general conditions. In a cooled turbine where t h e cu
heat t r a n s f e r may be large, t h e r a t e of change of s and I along
t h e streamline can be obtained by using equation (20). Again, f o r
steady r e l a t i v e flow, equation (14a) shows t h a t t h e vanishing of abso-
l u t e v o r t i c i t y requires both gradient I and gradient s t o vanish
or t h e difference between OI and TVs t o vanish. When both gradient
I and gradient s a r e zero upstream of t h e blade row and t h e flow
i s adiabatic, s i s uniform i n passing through t h e blade row; p i s
then a f m c t i o n only of p (according t o equation (12)), and conse-
quently, according t o Kelvin's c i r c u l a t i o n theorem, t h e absolute vor-
t i c i t y w i l l remain zero i n passing through t h e blade row and t h e flow
can then be t r e a t e d on t h e b a s i s of i r r o t a t i o n a l absolute flow.

For flow through a s t a t i o n a r y blade row, equation (14a) becomes

which agrees with s i m i l a r r e l a t i o n s previously obtained by Vazsonyi

(reference 6) , and Hicks, Guenther, and Wasserman (reference 7 ) . It
-VX(OXT)becomes -W X ( V ~ )and H becomes I.
i s i n t e r e s t i n g t o see t h a t , f o r r e l a t i v e flow i n a r o t a t i n g blade row,

When it i s assumed t h a t t h e f l u i d enters t h e machine with uniform

H and s and zero v o r t i c i t y , t h e adiabatic flow through t h e i n l e t
guide vanes can be t r e a t e d on t h e b a s i s of i r r o t a t i o n a l flow. When
t h e guide vanes impart a r a d i a l v a r i a t i o n of t h e t a n g e n t i a l v e l o c i t y
of t h e f l u i d downstream of t h e vanes similar t o t h a t i n a p o t e n t i a l
vortex, t h e c i r c u l a t i o n i s constant along t h e blade span and t h e f l u i d
maintains a uniform H and s and a zero v o r t i c i t y going i n t o t h e
following r o t o r blade row. I f t h e r o t o r blade row i s s i t u a t e d f a r
away from t h e i n l e t guide vanes, t h e f l u i d enters t h e r o t o r with a
uniform I i n t h e circumferential direction a s well a s in t h e r a d i a l
direction, and t h e flow through t h e r o t o r blades can again be t r e a t e d
on t h e b a s i s of zero absolute v o r t i c i t y . I f t h e r o t o r i s close t o t h e
guide vanes, t h e f l u i d entering t h e r o t o r blades i s circumferentially
nonuniform, which condition i s balanced by t h e unsteady term of t h e r e l -
a t i v e velocity, and t h e flow through t h e r o t o r blades should t h e o r e t i -
c a l l y be t r e a t e d on t h e b a s i s of unsteady flow with zero absolute
v o r t i c i t y . When t h e guide vanes impart a r a d i a l v a r i a t i o n of tangen-
t i a l v e l o c i t y of t h e f l u i d downstream of t h e vanes d i f f e r e n t from t h a t
i n a f r e e vortex, however, t h e c i r c u l a t i o n v a r i e s along t h e span of
t h e guide vanes, thereby shedding v o r t i c e s f r o m t h e t r a i l i n g edge t o
 - NACA TN 2302 11

A
t h e f l u i d s downstream, and t h e f l u i d e n t e r s t h e following r o t o r blades
with a uniform s and H, a nonuniform I, and a nonzero value of
absolute v o r t i c i t y . Consequently, t h e flow through t h e r o t o r blade .
3
)
row cannot be t r e a t e d on t h e b a s i s of zero absolute v o r t i c i t y .
rl
J
From t h e preceding discussion, t h e choice of H o r I and s a s
t h e b a s i c thermodynamic variables of t h e gas i s apparent. Compressor
and t u r b i n e r o t o r s a r e usually designed t o add o r subtract t h e same
amount of energy r a d i a l l y t o o r f r o m t h e gas; hence, H i s usually
r a d i a l l y constant throughout t h e machine. When t h e circumferential
v e l o c i t y of gas upstream of t h e blade row i s zero o r v a r i e s inversely
with radius, I i s then r a d i a l l y constant throughout t h e machine when
t h e heat t r a n s f e r i s zero or i s uniform r a d i a l l y . These f a c t s w i l l be
u t i l i z e d i n t h e following developments.

- contain-
The continuity equation (13) can a l s o be put i n t o a form
ing H or I by use of a constant value of. r, t h a t i s , r f o r t h e
range of temperatures involved i n t h e process. By using 7, equation
(12a) can be w r i t t e n a s

Integrating from t h e i n l e t t o t a l s t a t e yields

where As* = s'-sWT, i. The continuity equation then takes t h e following

f om:
 L.
The solution of t h e three-dimensional-flow problem t h u s consists
of t h e simultaneous solution of equations (1) o r (23), (14), and (20) .
GEMBAL THROUGH-FLOW THEORY ur
c
C

Because of t h e enormous mathematical d i f f i c u l t y i n solving t h e

preceding s e t of general equations, t h e e s s e n t i a l f e a t u r e of t h e three-
dimensional flow i n turbomachines w i l l be investigated with t h e follow-
ing two simplifying conditions: (1) The blade rows w i l l be assumed t o
be placed so f a r a p a r t t h a t t h e r e l a t i v e flow through any blade row i s
steady. Under t h i s condition, t h e equations of continuity, motion,
and energy i n t h e s c a l a r forms a r e :

Continuity equation, from equation ( I ) ,

or, from equation ( 2 3 ) ,

The t h r e e equations of motion, from equations (14),

and t h e energy equation, from equation (zo),

NACA TN 2302 13

(2) The blade i s so t h i n and t h e number of blades i s so l a r g e o r

t h e p i t c h i s so small compared with t h e blade chord t h a t t h e terms con-
t a i n i n g t h e circumferential v a r i a t i o n of t h e v e l o c i t y components i n
equations (24) t o (28) a r e much smaller than other terms i n t h e same
equations and can therefore be neglected. The circumferential v a r i -
a t i o n of p r e s s w e or enthalpy is, however, - preserved i n equation (26)
by t h e introduction of a blade f o r c e F, which may be considered 8s
e i t h e r due t o t h e pressure exerted by t h e blade surface on t h e c i r -
cumferentially t h i n gas stream or a s a circumferentially averaged blade
f o r c e on t h e gas stream between two blades. This simplification i s
f i r s t introduced by Lorenz (reference 8) i n order t o follow t h e flow
along a given surface. The physical concept involved i s c l a r i f i e d by
Stodola (reference 9) . Ruden (reference 10) f u r t h e r proves, f o r incom-
p r e s s i b l e flow, t h a t t h e solution so obtained w i l l give an average
value i n t h e circumferential d i r e c t i o n f o r a f i n i t e number of blades,
provided t h a t t h e departure from t h e average value i s small. For turbo-
machines having r e l a t i v e l y t h i n blades of moderately high s o l i d i t y ,
t h i s solution can indeed be taken a s t h a t f o r a r e l a t i v e stream sur-
face, which i s about midway (based on mass flow) between two blades.
Because t h e circumferential v a r i a t i o n of pressure and density i s con-
sidered i n equation (26), it i s b e t t e r t o r e f e r t o t h e present theory
a s a "through-flow" theory (following ~ u d e n ) ,o r "large-number-of-thin-
blades" theory, instead of " a x i a l l y symmetric" or " inf inite-number-of -
blades" theory. ( ~ i f f e r e n t i a t i n gv e l o c i t y components obtained i n t h i s
theory and combining them according t o equation (16) does not give t h e
true vorticity. )

With t h i s second condition, equations (24) t o (28) become

 NACA TN 2302

(31)

and

or

The circumferential enthalpy o r pressure gradient i n equation (31)

i s replaced by t h e term FU. The corresponding e f f e c t s i n t h e other two
directions a r e represented by Fr and FZ i n equations (30) and (32),
-
respectively. The vector F i s perpendicular t o W o r r e l a t e d t o t h e
shape of t h e blade o r flow surface by t h e following equations:

Only s i x independent equations e x i s t i n t h e preceding.equations: one

continuity r e l a t i o n , t h r e e equations-of motion, one energy equation, and
one orthogonality r e l a t i o n between F and q . For example, equation
(33a) can be derived from t h e equations of motion, equation of energy
(33), and equation (34) . (see reference 4. )

DIRECT AND IlYVERSE PROBLEMS

I n a d i r e c t problem, t h e blade surface o r flow surface i s considered

t o be given by t h e equation
", NACA TN 2302 15

- and two r e l a t i o n s among t h e f o r c e components a r e obtained by r e l a t i n g

them t o t h e p a r t i a l derivatives of t h e function S:

Equations (29) t o (34) and (36) t h e r e f o r e provide eight independent r e l a -

t i o n s t h a t completely define t h e d i r e c t problem involving t h e eight p r i ~
mary variables Wr, Wu, W,, Fr; Fu, Fz, s, and I o r H. h he
heat t r a n s f e r Q between t h e gas and t h e blade i s only important i n
t h e case of cooled turbine blades and i s considered t o be given by cool-
ing considerations. )

I n t h e inverse problem, t h e blade surface i s t o be determined,

which means t h a t t h e two r e l a t i o n s among t h e f o r c e components a s given
5
by equations (36) a r e not available. This u n a v a i l a b i l i t y does not mean,
however, t h a t t h e designer has freedom t o p r e s c r i b w t h e v a r i a t i o n of
- two variables or two conditions among the,variables throughout t h e blade
region because, i n order t h a t t h e d i f f e r e n t i a l equation (34a) w i l l l e a d
t o an i n t e g r a l blade or flow' surface of t h e f o m of equation (35), t h e
following necessary (and s u f f i c i e n t ) condition of i n t e g r a b i l i t y must
be s a t i s f i e d (reference '11):
-
F.VXF= o
which, f o r t h e present case, reduces t o

This condition of i n t e g r a b i l i t y w a s f i r s t pointed out by Bauersfeld as

e a r l y a s 1905 (reference 1 2 ) , but i s neglected i n many recent i n v e s t i -
gations. I n e f f e c t , it gives a r e s t r i c t i o n t o t h e veloci-ty v a r i a t i a n
t h a t a designer can specify through t h e f o r c e terms i n t h e motion
equations (30) t o (32).

Whereas i n t h e d i r e c t problems two conditions a r e obtainable from

t h e given surface, i n t h e inverse problem one condition on t h e surface
16 NACA TN 2302
I

must be s a t i s f i e d . Hence, t h e designer can specify, in t h e inverse

problem, only one r e l a t i o n throughout t h e blade region, which can be a
v a r i a t i o n of one thermodynamic quantity of gas (vU, VZ, p, o r h ) , one
r e l a t i o n on t h e blade surface (untwisted o r r a d i a l blade element), o r
one r e l a t i o n among t h e gas properties (constant Mach number), and s o
f o r t h . The v a r i a t i o n prescribed should, of course, be reasonable so
t h a t t h e solution e x i s t s .

After t h i s one r e l a t i o n i s prescribed by t h e designer, t h e solu-

t i o n of t h e inverse problem i s q u i t e s i m i l a r t o t h e d i r e c t problem.
Among a l l t h e equations t o be s a t i s f i e d , equations (29) t o (34) a r e
common t o both problems. I n addition t o these s i x equations, equa-
t i o n s (36) a r e a v a i l a b l e i n t h e d i r e c t problem and equation (37a) and
t h e one r e l a t i o n prescribed by t h e designer t o be s a t i s f i e d a r e a v a i l -
able i n inverse problem. I f , i n t h e design, a condition on t h e blade
surface i s s p e c i f i e d such a s t h e blade design i n which a l l blade ele-
ments a r e r a d i a l , Fr is prescribed a s zero by t h e designer, and t h e
i n t e g r a b i l i t y condition equation (37a) leads t o a simple r e l a t i o n be-
tween FU and F,. These same two r e l a t i o n s a r e a l s o d i r e c t l y given
by equations (36a) and (36b), respectively, i n t h e d i r e c t problem, and
consequently t h e solution f o r t h e two problems i s exactly t h e same.
I n other cases, however, t h e solution of t h e two problems i s a l i t t l e
.
& i f fe r ent

PRINCrPAL EQUATION FOR TWO MAIN GROUPS OF DESIGN

I n t h i s and t h e following sections, a general method of solution

f o r both t h e d i r e c t and t h e inverse problems w i l l be described. From
t h e preceding equations t h e through-flow considered herein i s essen-
t i a l l y described by t h e equation of continuity (29) and t h e equation
of motion e i t h e r i n t h e r a d i a l d i r e c t i o n (equation ( 3 9 ) ) , or in t h e
a x i a l d i r e c t i o n (equation ( 3 2 ) ) . Except i n t h e case of low-speed
c e n t r i f u g a l impellers, it i s always advantageous t o use equation (30),
because Fr i s e i t h e r zero i n high-speed c e n t r i f u g a l or mixed-flow
impellers or r e l a t i v e l y small i n axial-flow bladings. Also, e i t h e r
a~fir or a1/ar i s usually equal t o zero, and a(vUr)/ar i s often
given. This choice i s used h e r e i n a f t e r . I f it i s desirable t o use
equation (32), equations can be developed i n a similar manner. .

The combination of equations (29) and (30) i s c a r r i e d out by t h e

use of a stream function, which i s defined a s follows and s a t i s f i e s t h e
continuity equation (29) :
3 NACA TN 2302

From equation (37),

The succeeding development i s a l i t t l e d i f f e r e n t f o r t h e two main

groups of designs t o be considered. I n t h e f i r s t group, t h e v a r i a t i o n
of t h e angular momentum of t h e gas about t h e a x i s of r o t a t i o n i s pre-
scribed by t h e designer; t h a t is,

.
i s given. Among t h i s group a r e t h e free-vortex type i n which f l i s
j u s t a function of z, t h e more general solid-body-rotation type, t h e
symmetrical-velocity-diagram type, and others. I n t h e second group of
designs, t h e following r e l a t i o n between t a n g e n t i a l and a x i a l v e l o c i t y
i s prescribed by t h e designer:

wu
IJ. = t a n p, = - = f2(r,z)
wz
Among t h i s group a r e t h e common blade design f o r high-speed centrifugal-
and mixed-flow impellers i n which a l l blade elements a r e r a d i a l with
IJ. = r f 3 ( z ) , t h e l e s s general design with IJ. = t a n P = f 4 ( z ) , which
gives a p r a c t i c a l l y untwisted blade and i s most s u i t a b l e f o r cooled t u r -
bine r o t o r , and others. The p r i n c i p a l equation w i l l now be obtained i n
a form most convenient f o r these two main groups of designs.
 NACA TN 2302
. F.

Group of Designs i n which Equation (40) i s Specified

From equations (9) and (38),

Differentiating with respect t o r and z yields

Substituting equation (43) i n t o equation (39) and adding y i e l d

Substituting equation (44) i n t o equation (30) and dividing by a2 yield

t h e following p r i n c i p a l equation:
 .. NACA TN 2302 19

I
1
I
where

With t h e v a r i a t i o n of VU o r WU prescribed by t h e designer, t h e

meridional v e l o c i t y components a r e determined by t h e p r i n c i p a l equa-
t i o n (45). The other equations a r e used t o determine various terms
involved i n t h e coefficients L1 and N1. From t h e c o e f f i c i e n t s of
t h e second derivatives , t h e p r i n c i p a l equation (45) i s hyperbolic when
>
t h e meridional v e l o c i t y Wm = -4 i s g r e a t e r t h a n t h e speed of
sound, and e l l i p t i c when t h e meridional v e l o c i t y i s l e s s than t h e speed
- of sound. For t h e hyperbolic case, t h e method of c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s can
be used and w i l l be discussed l a t e r . For t h e e l l i p t i c case, it i s con-
venient t o put t h e p r i n c i p a l equation i n a s l i g h t l y d i f f e r e n t form, a s
follows: From equation ( 3 8 ) ,

Substituting equation (46) i n t o equation (30) r e s u l t s i n

20 NACA TN 2302

I n t h i s form, a l l terms except t h e f i r s t t h r e e a r e taken a s constant

during t h e successive improvement of Jr values throughout t h e whole
region i n t h e numerical solution so t h a t t h e c o e f f i c i e n t s i n t h e d i f f e r -
ence equations of Jrts w i l l not vary during successive cycles.

Equation (45) or (47) i s then t h e p r i n c i p a l equation f o r t h i s group

of designs t o be used f o r a meridional v e l o c i t y greater or l e s s than
t h e v e l o c i t y of sound, respectively. The process involved i n solving
t h i s p r i n c i p a l equation, together with other equatibns i n t h e inverse
and direct- problems, i s a s follows:

I n t h e inverse problem, Vu o r Wu i s given by equation (40).

Equation (31) i s f i r s t used t o compute Fu. The energy equation (33)
i s then used t o determine t h e v a r i a t i o n of s along t h e streamline.
The v a r i a t i o n of I along t h e streamline i s obtained from equa-
t i o n (33a). Equation (32) i s used t o compute FZ and F, i s then
obtained by i n t e g r a t i n g equation (36a) along a constant r l i n e :

where Fr = 0 a t z = zo. The solution i s then carried downstream by .

equation (45) i n t h e hyperbolic case, whereas successive s e t s of
improved values of Jr a r e obtained throughout t h e region i n t h e e l l i p -
t i c case. The q u a n t i t i e s Wr and WZ a r e then computed from equa-
t i o n (38).

I n t h e d i r e c t problem, equations (36a) and (36b) a r e given. It i s

most convenient t o obtain WU from equation (34) a s follows:

The quantity FU i s then computed from equation (31) and F, and Fr

a r e obtained from equations (36). Equation (33) i s used t o determine
t h e v a r i a t i o n of s along t h e streamline and equation (32) t o deter-
mine t h e v a r i a t i o n of I or H. Equation (30) i s then used t o solve
f o r Jr a s before.
NACA TN 2302

Group of Designs i n which Equation (41) i s Specified

For t h i s group of designs, it i s necessary t o combine WU i n t o

Wz according t o equation (41) as follows: Substituting equation (41)
i n t o equation (30) yields

Instead of equation (42),

Differentiating with respect t o r and z, combining with equa-

t i o n ( 3 9 ) ) and s u b s t i t u t i n g i n t o equation (50) give t h e following form
of t h e p r i n c i p a l equation :

where

Equation (52) becomes hyperbolic when t h e r e l a t i v e v e l o c i t y i s super-

sonic, and e l l i p t i c when t h e r e l a t i v e v e l o c i t y i s subsonic. For sub-
sonic velocity, a more convenient form of t h i s equation f o r computation
i s obtained by s u b s t i t u t i n g equation (46) i n t o (49):
 The process involved i n solving t h e p r i n c i p a l equation simultane-
ously with other equations i n t h e d i r e c t and inverse problems i s essen-
t i a l l y t h e same a s t h a t given f o r t h e previous group of designs. The
only difference i s t h a t Wu i s now computed from equation (41) and, i n
t h e e l l i p t i c case, i s t o be reevaluated a f t e r successive improvements
of Jr. I n t h e design where r a d i a l blade elements a r e employed, t h e com-
putation i s considerably shortened with Fr equal t o zero, which shows
t h e advantage of using t h e c y l i n d r i c a l coordinate system f o r t h i s prob-
l e m . (1n t h e customary method employing a coordinate system along t h e
streamline and normal t o it, t h e blade f o r c e along the normal i s n.ot
zero.) I n t h i s design, t h e process f o r t h e d i r e c t and t h e inverse
problem i s exactly t h e same.

The use of p = f g ( z ) i n t h e design w i l l l e a d t o a blade close t o

t h e untwisted type i f t h e hub-tip-radius r a t i o i s not t o o small. I n
t h e d i r e c t problem with such a blade given, t h i s r e l a t i o n may be used
or t h e flow may be more accurately obtained by using t h e equations
given f o r t h e f i r s t group.

The d i f f e r e n t character of t h e p r i n c i p a l equation f o r t h e two

groups of designs considered i s i n t e r e s t i n g . The character of t h e prin-
-
c i p a l equation depends on the, v a r i a t i o n prescribed i n t h e design or
considered a s given in t h e d i r e c t problem. This f a c t may be u t i l i z e d
t o solve some flow problems i n which t h e flow i n some region i s s l i g h t -
l y supersonic. When a tangential-veloc i t y .variation i s given, t h e
equation f o r t h e whole region may be e l l i p t i c .

GENERAL METHOD OF SOLVIRG PRINCIPAL EQUATION

. E l l i p t i c Case

For convenience of discussion, t h e fundamental equation (47) o r

(53) of t h e two groups of designs can be w r i t t e n i n t h e following gen-
e r a l fc-:
NACA TN 2302 23

The equation i s nonlinear even f o r incompressible flow. The equa-

t i o n may be more conveniently rewritten i n a l i n e a r f o m a s

where

and i s evaluated from an approximate solution a t t h e s t a r t of t h e cal-

culation and from t h e and p values obtained i n t h e previous cycle
during t h e calculation. For simple boundary shapes and simple func-
t i o n s of J and K, it may be possible t o f i n d a Green's function
~ ( yz,, ~ , fj) with i t s proper properties so t h a t t h e solution of t h e prob-
lem can be w r i t t e n i n t h e following form:

(57)

For example, f o r flow with t h e design i n which t h e t a n g e n t i a l v e l o c i t y

i s prescribed, t h e p r i n c i p a l equation takes t h e form

I f t h e boundary walls a r e c y l i n d r i c a l surfaces, t h e total-enthalpy and

entropy a r e uniform, and t h e t a n g e n t i a l and t h e r a d i a l v e l o c i t y both
vanish a t t h e i n l e t and t h e e x i t , t h e r a d i a l v a r i a t i o n of a t the
i n l e t and t h e e x i t a r e t h e same and can be subtracted from , which
results in
 24 NACA TN 2302

which can be w r i t t e n a s

The quantity
r;"i)
- i s zero on t h e boundary and t h e corresponding
Green's function is' a v a i l a b l e from a similar equation i n reference 3.
When t h e Green's function of reference 3 i s used, t h e s o l u t i o n f o r $
is

I f G i s tabulated a t several values of r, @-qi can be conveniently

obtained by a numerical double integration process on a punch-card
machine. For curved boundary walls i n t h e meridional plane, it i s
necessary, i n t h i s method, t o use t h e technique of conformal trans-
formation t o render t h e given boundary shape i n t o a rectangular one.
Inasmuch a s t h i s process involves a numerical solution of t h e Laplace
equation with t h e given boundary shape, it i s found b e t t e r t o solve
d i r e c t l y t h e given equation (55) with t h e given shape by t h e numerical
method. Furthermore, t h i s solution w i l l be t h e only choice in t h e
general case where J and K a r e not equal t o 1 o r t h e boundary con-
d i t i o n i s more general, which makes t h e t a s k of obtaining t h e proper
Green's function a very d i f f i c u l t one, i f not impossible.

I n order t o solve d i r e c t l y t h e given equation ( 5 5 ) , a general

numerical d i f f e r e n t i a t i o n formula f o r f i r s t and second derivatives with
function value given a t unequally spaced g r i d points using second- and
higher-order polynomial representation i s required t o give conveniently
and accurately t h e f i n i t e - d i f f e r e n c e expressions a t t h e g r i d point near
t h e curved boundary, which i s done as follows: When t h e value of any
quantity q i s known corresponding t o a number of unequally spaced
values of t h e independent variable x, denoted by xg, x, ... xn,
t h e v a r i a t i o n of q with respect t o x i s most conveniently expressed
, by a Lagrangian polynomial of t h e nth degree:

\"I
- X-X: II-Ll
L -. NACA TIT 2302 25

m
where

and

where V l i e s between xg and Xn. The successive derivatives of q

with respect t o x a t any point x can be expressed a s (reference 13)

P
D~~ = C
z ! j=o [& n n + 1(XI
x-xj k=o
n
(67

and so f o r t h , with

=h.+l(x) q(n+l) cV)

~m v q (v) % + . . .
m n + l (XI (n+2
+
n
lR= (68)

q + l ( x ) q(n+l) (v)
(v) g + .. . ..
2 =A+l(x) (n+2)
nR = -(n+l)!,
+

m q (69)

The summation operation i s very e a s i l y performed when x i s a g r i d

point, because most of t h e products vanish. A t these points, it i s
convenient t o w r i t e

The d i f f e r e n t i a t i o n c o e f f i c i e n t s B and t h e c o e f f i c i e n t s of t h e deriv-

a t i v e i n t h e f i r s t o r second remainder term have been e x p l i c i t l y
* expressed i n reference 1 3 i n terms of t h e spacings between t h e succes-
sive g r i d points f o r general nonuniform spacing throughout and f o r t h e
26 NACA TN 2302

s p e c i a l case near a tapered-or curved boundary where only t h e f i r s t

o r l a s t spacing i s d i f f e r e n t from t h e others, using polynomials of
second, t h i r d , and f o u r t h order. For t h e s p e c i a l case, these coef-
f i c i e n t s have a l s o been computed f o r difference r a t i o s from 0 . 1 t o
1.29 i n i n t e r v a l s of 0.01 of t h e distance between t h e boundary and
t h e nearest point and t h e other spacings and a r e given i n r e f e r -
ence 13. For spacing l y i n g between tabulated i n t e r v a l s , t h e i n t e r -
polation c o e f f i c i e n t s given i n reference 14 can be used t o obtain
t h e required values of B.

I n t h e present fluid-flow problems, it i s necessary t o cover a

l a r g e region i n order t o reach t h e boundary condition t h a t i s always
given a t s t a t i o n s f a r upstream and downstream of t h e blade row. I n
order t o reduce t h e labor of computation, it i s desirable t o determine
i f t h e number of g r i d points required f o r a given accuracy can be
reduced by using an order of polynomial higher than t h e customary
second order. A study of t h e remainder terms (reference 13) and a c t u a l
experience i n t h e present problems show t h a t , i n most cases, t h e use
of fourth-order polynomial w i l l reduce t h e necessary number of g r i d
points t o l e s s than one-quarter of t h a t required by t h e second-order
polynomial. I n s e t t i n g up t h e g r i d p a t t e r n , it i s always desirable
t o map t h e flow region i n such a manner t h a t t h e distance between t h e
boundary and a point next t o it i s not t o o small compared with t h e
other distances, because t h e d i f f e r e n t i a t i o n c o e f f i c i e n t becomes very
s e n s i t i v e t o t h e small r a t i o . I f t h e small r a t i o cannot be avoided,
it i s b e s t not t o include these points i n t h e calculation.

When t h e g r i d p a t t e r n and t h e order of polynomial representation

have been selected, t h e c o e f f i c i e n t s B a t each point can be obtained
from t h e t a b l e given i n reference 13. Then t h e d!fferential equa-
t i o n (55) a t any g r i d point whose Jr value i s Jrl ( f i g . l) i s replaced
by t h e following algebraic equation:

where Jrj and -$ denote t h e values of Jr along constant z and

constant r l i n e s , respectively.

The values of Jr along t h e hub and t h e casing walls can be a r b i -

t r a r i l y chosen, with t h e difference proportional t o t h e mass flow
between them. A t t h e f i r s t s t a t i o n on t h e l e f t 1-1and a t t h e l a s t
s t a t i o n 2-2 on t h e r i g h t ( f i g . 2), however, t h e Jr values a r e unknawn.
The boundary condition a t s t a t i o n s 1-1and 2-2 is, usually, t h a t t h e
 NACA TN 2302 27

flow i s p a r a l l e l t o t h e bounding walls. When t h e hub and casing walls

a r e horizontal a t t h e i n l e t and e x i t of t h e machine and t h e s t a t i o n s
chosen a r e f a r enough out, t h e value qb required a t a point 6 ,
distance away from t h e $a point i s a l s o equal t o . Whether or not
t h e i n l e t and t h e e x i t s t a t i o n s a r e chosen f a r enough out wil1;be
indicated by t h e v a r i a t i o n of $ ' s along t h e s e s t a t i o n s obtained i n
t h e solution.

After equation (71) i s obtained a t every i n t e r i o r g r i d point, a

number of methods can be used t o solve t h e s e t of simultaneous alge-
b r a i c equations. For hand computation, t h e relaxation method developed
by Southwell has proved t o be superior t o others f o r t h i s type of
equation (references 1 2 and 15 t o 1 8 ) . I f t h e fourth-order polynomial
representation i s decided, t h e c a l c u l a t i o n can be c a r r i e d out i n two
s t e p s by using only t h e f i v e main c o e f f i c i e n t s i n e a r l y stages and
then t h e r e s i d u a l s a r e recomputed and relaxed by a l l nine c o e f f i c i e n t s
(reference 13) .
I f a high-speed, large-scale, d i g i t a l computing machine i s a v a i l -
able, t h e s e t of equations can be solved e i t h e r by an i n d i r e c t o r
d i r e c t method. I n t h e i n d i r e c t method, t h e s t r a i g h t i t e r a t i v e method of
Liebmann i s used, wherein qi i s solved a t each point from i t s sur-
rounding values according t o equation (71) and t h e process i s repeated
u n t i l t h e change a t any point i s no longer s i g n i f i c a n t . This method
i s simplest t o s e t up, but i s slowest. A b e t t e r method i s t o s e t t h e
machine t o perform a simple relaxation process by computing t h e r e s i d -
u a l a t each point and relaxing according t o a f i x e d r e l a t i o n with
respect t o t h e amount of r e s i d u a l j u s t found.

A much quicker machine method, e s p e c i a l l y when a number of solu-

, t i o n s with, f o r example, d i f f e r e n t i n l e t Mach numbers a r e t o be found
with a given geometrical shape of t h e problem, i s t h e d i r e c t method
t h a t solves t h e s e t of simultaneous equations by a matrix process.
The d e t a i l s of a matrix method, which f u l l y u t i l i z e s t h e great number
of zero elements of t h e o r i g i n a l coefficient matrix, is given i n r e f e r -
ence 13.

Hyperbolic Case

I n t h e hyperbolic case, t h e problem consists i n solving $ from

t h e following p r i n c i p a l equation, w r i t t e n i n a general form f o r t h e
two groups of designs:
 NACA TN 2302

with t h e i n i t i a l condition t h a t and i t s normal derivative a r e given

on a curve t h a t i s not a c h a r a c t e r i s t i c l i n e .

From equation (72), t h e equation of t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c l i n e i s

The slopes of t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c l i n e s i n t h e r,z-plane a r e

When t h e point on t h e r,z-plane moves along t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c

curve 1, corresponding t o a small change dz i n z, t h e change i n
r i s dr = X1 dz. Because of these two small changes, t h e change of
any quantity q i s

Hence, along Z1,

NACA TN 2302

From equatio . ) and (78),

Substituting equations (79) and (80) i n t o equation (72) y i e l d s

By v i r t u e of equations (74a) and (74b), equation (81) becomes

Similarly, along t h e second c h a r a c t e r i s t i c l i n e 22,

S t a r t i n g from two points a and b a short distance a p a r t on t h e curve

where t h e i n i t i a l condition i s given, equations (74a) and (74b) give
t h e tangent t o t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c curves a t t h e s e two points and equa-
t i o n s (82) and (83) give t h e new value of a$/%z and a$/& a t the
point of i n t e r s e c t i o n c of t h e two tangent l i n e s . The a u x i l i a r y
equations corresponding t o t h e p a r t i c u l a r problem a r e then used t o
determine o t h e r p e r t i n e n t q u a n t i t i e s a t t h e point c. This process i s
t o be c a r r i e d s t e p by s t e p downstream. The method i s t h e same a s f o r
ordinary two-dimensional r o t a t i o n a l flow. or d e t a i l s of calculation,
see reference 19. )

APPLICATION TO TYPICAL DESIGNS

The following sections include a b r i e f discussion of t h e manner

i n which t h e fundamental and a u x i l i a r y equations reduce t o p a r t i c u l a r
forms f o r several t y p i c a l designs. I n a c t u a l computations, it i s
always desirable t o render a l l q u a n t i t i e s dimensionless. A convenient
system i s t o divide r o r z , W o r V, p, T, s, H, o r I,
 NACA TN 2302

2
> $ and by rt, Ut, P T , i > ~t~/k,
R, Ut 9 ut2/rtt' rt2ut,
and ut/rt, respectively. These dimensionless values a r e used i n
t h e following equations.

Free-Vortex Design

I n t h e free-vortex design, t h e v a r i a t i o n of Vur i s prescribed a s

a function of z only. With a free-vortex flow, t h e t o t a l enthalpy a t
any point z i s simply r e l a t e d t o t h e i n l e t value by

where (vcr') i s a constant. I f Hi i s uniform with respect t o r

and 8 ~ 1 % i s zero, a H / a r w i l l be zero everywhere; but aH/az i s not
equal t o zero i n t h e r o t o r , whereas a1/az i s zero and it i s there-
f o r e convenient t o use t h e system of equations involving I. The
p r i n c i p a l equation i s then

The a u x i l i a r y equations a r e

* * = - , - ap a(vtr')
Fur r*p* ar* ar*
NACA TN 2302

The computation can b e s t a r t e d with an assumed value of $ con-

forming t o t h e boundary shapes. I n t h e e a r l y stage, it i s advantageous
t o omit equations (87) and (88) and t o use t h e following approximate
formula of Fr, which i s obtained by s o l v i n g t h e two equations b y
assuming constant and n e g l e c t i n g small terms: '

Density can b e obtained from t h e $ d e r i v a t i v e s a s follows: First,

2
-
r-1
equation (89) i s w r i t t e n a s u = [l - q/a] , where

Second, e i t h e r cp i s computed f o r a number of values of a and a curve

i s p l o t t e d , o r u i s obtained f o r a number of values of cp through
i t e r a t i o n of t h e preceding equation and a t a b l e obtained f o r equal
i n t e r v a l s i n Cp. I n e i t h e r case, a f t e r t h e $ d e r i v a t i v e s a r e obtain-
ed, cp i s computed and a o r p i s t h e n obtained from e i t h e r t h e
curve o r t h e t a b l e .

Design Based on Symmetrical Velocity D i a g r a m a t A l l Radii

Generalized f o r compressible flow, t h e symmetrical v e l o c i t y d i a -

gram a t a l l r a d i i i s defined a s follows ( r e f e r e n c e 4) :
(see f i g . 2 for
s t a t ion n o t a t ion. )
32 * NACA TN 2302

If it i s desirable t o maintain a constant t o t a l s t a t e along t h e radius,

t h e v a r i a t i o n of VUr with z i s such t h a t t h e same mount of work i s
done along a l l streamlines:

Hence,

Combining equations (91) and (93) yields

Hence,

I n t h i s design, t h e quantity a1Pri s not zero i n t h e r o t o r ,

but with constant work input, a~bri s zero. Using t h e system of
equations involving H i s therefore convenient:
5 * NACA TN 2302

With only t h e a d d i t i o n a l complication t h a t t h e value of Vu i n each

cycle i s determined from a knowledge of t h e streamline i n t h e previous
cycle, t h e solution of t h i s problem i s obtained i n t h e same manner a s
i n t h e previous case. For a multistage compressor, it i s important t o
- account f o r t h e e f f e c t of l o s s on density r i s e by including t h e e-&*
f a c t o r i n equation (102). The increase of entropy can be estimated by
a knowledge of t h e polytropic e f f i c i e n c y (reference 4) .
A nonvortex-,type v e l o c i t y diagram q u i t e s i m i l a r t o t h e pre-
ceding one i s t h e solid-body r o t a t i o n design t h a t has a t a n g e n t i a l
v e l o c i t y varying l i n e a r l y with r a d i u s in f r o n t of t h e rotor; t h a t i s ,

I f t o t a l enthalpy i s t o be constant along t h e radius through t h e r o t o r ,

equations (92) and (93) a l s o apply. Hence,
and *

io
0
Comparison of t h e s e equations with those i n t h e previous design i s cu
i n t e r e s t i n g . I n t h e previous design t h e change of whirl through t h e
r o t o r i s d i s t r i b u t e d evenly i n t h e whirl i n f r o n t of and behind t h e
r o t o r , whereas i n t h e present design it i s completely put i n t o t h e
whirl behind t h e r o t o r . Except f o r t h i s difference, t h e c a l c u l a t i o n i s
q u i t e s i m i l a r t o t h a t given i n t h e previous design.

Designs Involving Untwisted Rotor Blades

Untwisted r o t o r blades a r e d e s i r a b l e because of s i m p l i c i t y i n manu-

facturing, and seem t o be t h e most p r a c t i c a l design f o r cooled-turbine
r o t o r blades. They can be e f f i c i e n t l y used i f t h e s t a t o r blades a r e
designed t o f i t them. I f t h e blade i s not t o o long, it can be designed
on t h e b a s i s t h a t p = w,/w, i s a function of z only. The p r i n c i p a l
equation then takes t h e following form:

Radial- and Mixed-Flow Lmpeller with A l l Radial Blade Elements

The speed of r o t a t i o n of t h e r o t o r can be increased by having a l l

blade elements r a d i a l . With Fr = 0, t h e i n t e g r a b i l i t y equation (37a)
gives t h e r e s u l t t h a t FZ/~,r i s a function of z only. Thus, when

equation (41) becomes

NACA TN 2302

The p r i n c i p a l , ion i s then

With Fr = 0, use of t h e t h r e e a u x i l i a r y equations t o compute I?, is

unnecessary.

Equation (110) i s f u r t h e r simplified with equal t o zero i f

t h e i n l e t flow i s of t h e free-vortex type or has no whirl.

Simple Approximate Correction f o r Blade Thickness

I f t h e blade i s not q u i t e t h i n , it i s desirable t o add a simple

approximate correction f a c t o r b i n t h e d e f i n i t i o n of stream functions
of equation (38) a s follows:

(u l a

(l l l b )

A good conception of t h i s thickness correction f a c t o r can be

obtained by analyzing t h e e f f e c t of blade thickness on t h e s p e c i f i c mass
flow along t h e mean streamline (based on mass flow) i n two-dimensional
cascades. Yet unpublished calculations made f o r a t y p i c a l subsonic t u r -
bine cascade and two supersonic compressor cascades show t h a t t h e
s p e c i f i c mass flow pWZ on t h e mean streamline i s about 4 and 10 per-
cent higher than t h a t given by one-dimensional calculakions correspond-
ing t o t h e same reduction i n channel area f o r t h e subsonic and super-
sonic cascades, respectively. The influence of t h e blade thickness
a l s o extends a short distance upstream and downstream of t h e blades.
The shape of t h e mean streamline i s a l s o seen t o follow approximately
t h e mean channel l i n e , (but with lower curvature). When t h i s correc-
t i o n f a c t o r b i s used i n equations (ill), a l l the equations previously
obtained should be modified by replacing p by p/b.
 CONCLUDING REMARKS ..1-
LO
0
N
Equations of motion and energy f o r unsteady, three-dimensional flow
of a nonviscous f l u i d a r e expressed i n terms of gas q u a n t i t i e s most con-
venient f o r analyzing flow in turbomachines. Entropy change due t o
heat t r a n s f e r i n a cooled turbine and due t o strong shock wave i n super-
sonic flow can be taken i n t o calculation.

The general equations a r e simplified according t o t h e standard

assumption f o r steady through-flow calculation i n turbomachines having
t h i n blades of high s o l i d i t y . The problem i s completely defined i n
t h e d i r e c t problem with blade shape given; whereas i n t h e inverse o r
design problem, with t h e inclusion of t h e i n t e g r a b i l i t y condition f o r
t h e blade surface, e i t h e r one flow variable or one r e l a t i o n among sever-
a l variables can be prescribed by t h e designer.

Through t h e use of t h e stream function, t h e continuity equation

and t h e equation of motion i n t h e r a d i a l d i r e c t i o n a r e combined t o form
a p r i n c i p a l equation f o r t h e present problem. The p r i n c i p a l equation
contains some terms t h a t a r e e i t h e r prescribed o r t o be determined by
other equations defining t h e problem. Two forms of t h e p r i n c i p a l equa-
t i o n a r e obtained f o r t h e two main groups of current compressor and
turbine designs i n which e i t h e r t h e v a r i a t i o n of t a n g e n t i a l v e l o c i t y
or t h e v a r i a t i o n of t h e r a t i o of t a n g e n t i a l t o a x i a l v e l o c i t y through-
out t h e blade region a r e given. When t h e t a n g e n t i a l v e l o c i t y i s given,
t h e p r i n c i p a l equation i s e l l i p t i c or hyperbolic depending on whether
t h e meridional v e l o c i t y i s subsonic o r supersonic. When a r e l a t i o n
between t h e t a n g e n t i a l and a x i a l v e l o c i t y i s given, t h e p r i n c i p a l
equation becomes hyperbolic when t h e r e l a t i v e v e l o c i t y i s supersonic.

A general method of solution f o r both t h e e l l i p t i c and t h e hyper-

b o l i c cases i s outlined. Specific applications of t h e theory t o
several common types of compressor and turbine employing free-vortex,
symmetrical-velocity-diagram, solid-rotation, nontwisted-blade, and
radial-blade-element designs a r e discussed. A simple correction f a c t o r
f o r blade-thickness e f f e c t i s a l s o suggested.

Lewis F l i g h t Propulsion Laboratory,

National Advisory Committee f o r Aeronautics,
Cleveland, Ohio, October 25, 1950.

REFERENCES

1. Traupel, Walter: New General Theory of Multistage Axial Flow Turbo-

machines. Navships 250-445-1, Navy Dept. ( ~ r a n s .by C . W. Smith,
Gen. Elec. Corp.).
NACA Tm 2302

2. Meyer, Richard: Beitrag zur Theorie feststehender Schaufelgitter.

N r . 11, Mitteilungen aus I n s t . f . Aero. ( ~ k i c h ) ,1946.

3. Marble, Frank E . : The Flow of a Perfect Fluid through an Axial

Turbomachine with Prescribed Blade Loading. Jour. Aero. S c i . ,
vol. 15, no. 8, Aug. 1948, pp. 473-485.

4. Wu, Chwg-Hua, and Wolfenstein, Lincoln: Application of Radial-

Equilibrium Condition t o Axial-Flow Compressor and Turbine Design.
NACA Rep. 955, 1950. (Formerly NACA TN 1795. )

5. Reisner, Hans: Blade Systems of Circular Arrangement i n Steady,

Compressible Flow. R . Courant Anniversary Volume, Interscience
Pub., Inc., 1948, pp. 307-327.

6. Vazsonyi, Andrew: On Rotational Gas Flows. Quart. Appl. Math.,

vol. 3, no. 1, April 1945, pp. 29-37.

7 . Hicks,' B. L., Guenther, P. E., and Wassemn, R. H.: New Formula-

t i o n s of t h e Equations f o r Compressible Flow. Quart. Appl. Math.,
vol. V, no. 3, Oct. 1947, pp. 357-360.

8 . Lorenz, H.: Theorie und Berechung der Vollturbinen und Kriesel-

pumpen. V . D . I . Zeitschr., Bd. 49, N r . 41, Okt. 14, 1905, S. 1670-
1675.

9. Stodola, A.: Steam and Gas Turbines. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc.,
,
1927. ( ~ e p r i n t e d ,Peter Smith ( ~ e w~ o r k ) 1945. )

10. Ruden, P.: Investigation of Single Stage Axial Fans. NACA TM

1062, 1944.

11. Ince, E. L.: Ordinary D i f f e r e n t i a l Equations. Dover Pub., 1944,

p. 52.

12. Bauersfeld, W . : Zuschrift an d i e Redaktion. V . D . I . Zeitschr.,

Bd. 49, N r . 49, Dez. 9, 1905, S. 2007-2008.

13. Wu, Chung-Hua: Formulas and Tables of Coefficients f o r Numerical

D i f f e r e n t i a t i o n with Function Values Given a t Unequally Spaced
Points and Application t o t h e Solution of P a r t i a l D i f f e r e n t i a l
Equations. NACA TN 2214, 1950.

14. Anon. : Tables of Lagrangian Interpolation Coefficients . Columbia

Univ. Press, 1944.
15. Southwell, R. V.: Relaxation Methods in Theoretical Physics.
Clarenden Press (oxford), 1946.

16. h o n s , Howard W.: The Numerical Solution of Compressible Fluid

Flow Problems. NACA TN 932, 1944.

17. Ehmons, Howard W.: The Theoretical Flow of a Frictionless, Adia-

batic, Perfect Gas Inside of a Two-Dimensional Hyperbolic Nozzle.
NACA TN 1003, 1946.

18. Ehnons, Howard W.: Flow of a Compressible Fluid past a Symmetrical -

Airfoil in a Wind Tunnel and in Free Air. NACA TN 1746, 1948.

19. Ferri, Antonio: Elements of Aerodynamics of Supersonic Flows.

The Macmillan Co., 1949, pp. 82-92, 276-286.
NACA'TN 2302

Figure 1. - Grid pattern.

 NACA TN 2302

Figure 2. - Boundary conditions and s t a t i o n notation.

Figure 3. - Characteristic curves,