Numerical loss analysis in a compressor cascade with leading edge tubercles

A numerical analysis of loss has been carried out to explore the loss mechanism of leading edge tubercles in a high speed compressor cascade. Taking the lead from flippers of the humpback whale, tubercles are passive structures of a blade for flow control. Evaluation of the overall performance in terms of entropy increase shows that the loss reduction is achieved both at high negative and high positive incidence angles, while a rise in the loss is obtained near the design point. And a smaller wave number as well as a smaller amplitude results in lower additional losses at the design point. Spanwise and streamwise distributions of pitchwise-averaged entropy increase combined with flow details have been presented to survey the loss development and, subsequently, to interpret the loss mechanism. The tubercle geometry results in the deflection flow and the consequent spanwise pressure gradient. This pressure gradient induces formation of counter-rotating streamwise vortices, transports away the low-momentum fluid near wall from crests towards troughs and leads to local high loss regions behind troughs as well as loss reduction behind the crests in comparison to the baseline. The interaction between these vortices and flow separation by momentum transfer leads to separation delay and the consequent loss reduction at the outlet.