POLISH MARITIME RESEARCH 3(53) 2007 Vol 14; pp.

27-32
DOI: 10.2478/v10012-007-0015-z

Modelling the characteristics of axial

compressor of variable flow passage geometry,
working in the gas turbine engine system
Paweł Wirkowski
Polish Naval University

ABSTRACT

This paper concerns application of mathematical modelling methods to analyzing gas-dy-

namic processes in marine gas turbines. Influence of geometry changes in axial compressor
flow passage on kinematical air flow characteristics, are presented. The elaborated math-
ematical model will make it possible to realize – in the future – simulative investigations of
gas-dynamic processes taking place in a compressor fitted with controllable guide vanes.

Keywords : marine gas turbine engine, compressor, modelling of characteristics.

INTRODUCTION units, verified within an allowable range of static and dynamic

loads. The computer software based on mathematical models
An important problem of operation of ship gas turbine makes it possible to realize numerical experiments consisting
engines1 is to know influence of changeable technical state of in putting-in real variables and hypothetical technical states
engine on its working parameters. Compressor is a unit of gas of engine.
turbine engine especially sensitive on changes in its technical
state during operation [5,6]. The more-or-less-contaminated CHARACTERISTICS OF AXIAL
atmospheric air flowing into the compressor causes a.o. continu- COMPRESSORS WORKING
ously changing form of blade passages, increased roughness of IN ENGINE SYSTEMS
blade surfaces as well as change of mass of compressor rotor.
It seriously impacts compressor’s operation stability, changes The universal characteristics of compressor (Fig.1), sho-
its characteristics as well as performance and efficiency of wing the dependence of the compression π s and efficiency
•
the entire engine. If the compressor design contains a control η s of compressor on the air mass flowing through it, m, and
system for setting controllable blades of guide vanes (of initial the rotational speed n, make it possible to determine the most
swirl guide vane or/and first stage guide vanes) to make co- favourable conditions of co-operation of the compressor with
operation of all engine’s units optimal by continuous correcting other units of the engine under assumption that parameters of
the compressor characteristics then the disturbances occurring the sucked -in air are of the values complying with the so-called
in work of the system will result in changes in operation of the ISA standard atmosphere (pot = 1.013 bar, Tot = 273.15 K,
compressor and engine, of a character similar to those due to φ = 0%). The characteristics serve for the selection of optimum
rotational speed changes or contaminated blade passages of conditions for air flow control and assessment of influence of
compressor. operational factors on parameters of the compressor.
Individual parametric features of every engine in service are Fig.2 highlights occurrence of unstable work phenomenon,
identified by using expensive experimental tests conditioned on which a schematic diagram is presented of flow round a blade
by many constructional and operational limitations. Dynamic of axial stage rotor under motion with the constant rotational
•
development of computer technique applied already to the speed n, for which a change in the air flow rate m is effected.
design stage of engine’s units has made it possible to use it Fig.2a shows the schematic diagram of the flow in the condi-
also for numerical simulation of changeable technical state tions for which the air flow rate corresponds with optimum
processes. Such approach greatly shortens the time necessary efficiency of the stage.
for diagnostic tests aimed at determining a set of „defect- The relative velocity vectors w1, w2 are parallel to camber
symptom” relations, as compared with the time-consuming line of blade profile, that is conductive to laminar flow through
and expensive investigations carried out on real objects. Hav- blade passages. The lowering of air flow (Fig.2b) as compared
ing at one’s disposal an appropriate computer software one is with calculation conditions at the circumferential velocity u
able to elaborate the models simulating operation of engine’s maintained constant, makes the axial component of absolute
1
Called also further : „engines”

POLISH MARITIME RESEARCH, No 3/2007 27

velocity, ca , smaller, that results in the increasing of the inlet and mechanical overload of engine’s structure. The occurring
angle i of air flow onto rotor blades. It is conductive to bound- vibrations of significant amplitudes may cause fatigue cracks
ary layer separation out of concave surfaces of blades and to in blades [1, 2, 4].
generation of whirl zones. In this connection the compressor should be – within the
range of service rotational speeds – so adjusted as to place the
line of compressor-network co-operation with certain stable
work margin [5, 6, 9].
During engine’s operation, rotational speed of rotor, air flow
rate and optimum form of kinematics of air flow through stage
blade passages, determined by the air flow inlet angle i onto the
blades, have the greatest impact on compressor’s performance
and efficiency. The main principle of compressor control during
changing its rotational speed or flow rate is to maintain values of
the air flow inlet angles i close to zero. One of the used methods
for control of axial compressor is to change geometry of its flow
passage by applying a controllable inlet guide vane or controlla-
ble guide vanes of a few first stages of compression [4].

CONTROLLABLE INLET GUIDE VANE

The application of controllable blades of inlet guide vane
and guide vanes of particular compressor’s stages makes it pos-
sible to simultaneously change inlet angles of flow onto blades
of rotor rings of the stages by changing the setting angles of
the blades of the guide vanes during compressor’s rotational
speed changing. Fig.3 shows the essence of control of blades
of controllable guide vanes by using single compression stage
Fig. 1. Characteristics of axial compressor of gas turbine engine; as an example. The situation shown in Fig.3b where velocity
a-a – stable operation limit, b-b – limit of maximum air flow rates, directions and values are indexed “1”, corresponds with average
c-c – line of optimum values of compressor efficiency, values of rotational speed service range of compressor’s rotor.
d-d – line of compressor-turbine co-operation .
In this case takes place an average angular setting of blades of
A similar phenomenon occurs on convex surface of blade guide vane ring, at which the inlet angle of flow onto blades of
(Fig.2c) when air flow rate becomes greater at the circumfer- rotor ring does not generate disturbances in the flow through
•
ential velocity maintained constant. Then the air flow rate m blade passages. In the case of smaller values of rotational
takes its maximum values. speed of compressor, i.e. appearance of a smaller value of the
At critical values of angles of flow through the produced axial component of absolute velocity, c1a’ , it is necessary to
whirl zones which constitute circumferentially displacing decrease the outlet angle of flow from the controllable blades
low-pressure zones, a sudden air flow reversal (pumping) of the guide vane ring (Fig.3a) to such an extent as to maintain
towards compressor’s inlet can happen, that results in violent the same value of inlet angle of flow onto rotor blades. The
flow pulsations transferred onto engine’s structure. The phe- analogous situation takes place during operation of compressor
nomenon is detrimental and dangerous because of thermal at greater values of rotational speed of rotor, for which the axial

Fig. 2. Schematic diagram of flow round blades of compressor axial stage ring
at constant rotational speed of the rotor and changeable angles of air flow inlet.
a) calculation angle of air flow inlet, b) positive angle of air flow inlet of,
c) negative angle of air flow inlet .

28 POLISH MARITIME RESEARCH, No 3/2007

component value of absolute velocity, c1a” , increases. Then it is Limit
necessary to increase the outlet angle of flow from guide vane of compressor
blades, Fig.3c, to maintain stable work of compressor hence stable operation
a constant value of inlet angle of flow onto rotor blades.

Ring
of controllable
blades of stage
guide vane

Ring of blades
of stage rotor Fig. 4. Compressor characteristics plotted in the system of relative-value
parameters – test stand measurements. Change of compressor operation
range resulting from interaction of controllable inlet guide vane [5];
Fig. 3. Essence of control of compressor’s axial stage by changing the ABB’B’’ – points of co-operation
setting angle of blades of guide vane rings at changeable air flow velocity; of the compressor with network in stable states;
a) decreased axial velocity, b) calculation axial velocity, ACC’B’’ – points of co-operation
c) increased axial velocity . of the compressor with network during engine acceleration;
B’’D’DA – points of co-operation
Application of a control system of geometry of flow passa- of the compressor with network during engine deceleration .
ges to gas turbine engine of a given design type significantly
influences unsteady processes. In multi-stage axial compressors From the run of the co-operation lines shown on the
of compression value exceeding 8 ÷ 10 the design solution characteristics it can be concluded that in the engine fitted
which ensures stable operation, is to apply a.o. controllable with controllable inlet guide vane, to control output parameters
blades of inlet guide vane [4]. In Fig.4 are presented compressor of its compressor at constant rotational speed of rotor unit, is
characteristics of the engine fitted with controllable inlet guide possible.
vane, on which the lines of rotor acceleration and deceleration The DR76 and DR77 triple-shaft engines operating with-
have been plotted. in COGAG propulsion system installed on naval ships of
The lines depicted on the characteristics represent the „Tarantula” class, are equipped with such design solution of
compressor’s operation at three angular settings of inlet guide inlet guide vane. In Fig.5 is presented the schematic diagram
vane blades, αKW , and the compressor rotational speed, n1 , of such engine with indicated control cuts in its flow part.
maintained constant.

Fig. 5. Schematic diagram of ship gas turbine engine fitted with separate reversible propulsion turbine [6] .

POLISH MARITIME RESEARCH, No 3/2007 29

 CONTROLLABLE GUIDE VANES
OF FIRST STAGES OF COMPRESSOR
In modern solutions of currently manufactured marine en-
gines their compressors are fitted with controllable inlet guide
vanes and controllable guide vanes of their first stages in order
to ensure sufficient stable work margins. Such compressors are
characterized by high compression values exceeding 20. Of that
type are the objects being a part of e.g. LM 2500 engines used
for propelling the frigates of Oliver Hazard Perry class as well
as TW-3 aircraft engines applied on Mi helicopters.
A characteristic feature of the sixteen-stage axial com-
pressor of LM 2500 engine is the possibility of changing of
setting of the outlet flow angles α1 of the blades of inlet guide
vane and those of its first six stages in function of engine load.
The solution prevents from unstable work of the compressor
during fast realization of transient processes from one stable
state to another. In the case of aircraft version of the engine
such solution makes it possible to transit from “low gas” state
to “full load” within only five seconds not going beyond stable
operation zone.
In Fig.6 are shown elements of the control system of angular
setting of blades of particular guide vanes of the compressor
of LM 2500 engine.

Fig. 7. Range of changes of the angle of air outlet from blades

of rings of controllable guide vanes of compressor, α1, in function
of the rotational speed nzr and the angular setting of load control lever, λ ,
of the LM 2500 engine [7,8] .

•
η s = f m zr , n zr , α K W (2)

The obtaining of an analytical form of the functional

relations (1) and (2) which model real characteristics of
Fig. 6. Elements of the angular setting control system of blades of particu-
lar guide vanes of the LM 2500 engine’s compressor
compressor, at maintained minimum approximation error, is
associated with the difficulties resulting from complex form of
Fig.7 presents the relation between the outlet flow angle, α1, the functions. In the range of low rotational speeds, isodroms
of the controllable blade rings of guide vanes and the engine of the characteristics exhibit moderate slopes which correspond
load represented by the rotational speed of gas generator’s rotor, with π s≈idem, whereas in the range of high rotational speeds
•
nzr,, reduced to the normal conditions (acc. ISA) at the inlet they show steep sections corresponding with m zr≈ idem.
to the engine. The load control lever installed on the engine Hence it seems that the least squares method and multi-
changes its position within the angular range λ = 39° ÷ -3°, dimensional polynomial-based regression [3] can be an effective
along with changing the gas generator’s rotational speed within way for determining an analytical description of axial compressor
the range nzr = 5000 ÷ 10000 rpm, which results in changes of operation, which guarantees that deviations of the model from
the angular setting of air outlet from blades of inlet guide vane reality would be contained within limits of measurement error.
and guide vanes of particular compressor’s stages within the The overall model of compressor is searched for by means
range shown in Fig.7. of the set of regression equations which approximate its uni-
versal characteristics :
MATHEMATICAL MODEL • • 2 2
OF CHARACTERISTICS OF AXIAL πs = a 0 + a1 m zr + a 2 (m zr) + a 3 n zr + a 4 (n zr ) +
COMPRESSOR WITH CONTROLLABLE • 2
BLADES OF INLET GUIDE VANE + a 5 m zr n zr + a 6 α K W + a 7 (α K W) + (3)

The problems of elaboration of sufficiently accurate ma- •

thematical models of axial compressors are associated with + a 8 m zr α K W + a 9 n zr α K W
range of simplifying assumptions which determine accuracy 2
• • 2
of the numerical modelling of real object [8]. Simulating in- πs = b0 + b1 m zr + b2 (m zr) + b3 n zr + b4 (n zr ) +
vestigations require a.o. to convert the usual graphical form of
compressor characteristics (Fig. 4) into functional one suitable • 2
for numerical calculations, i.e. to the following form :
+ b5 m zr n zr + b6 α K W + b7 (α K W) + (4)
•
π s = f m zr , n zr , α K W (1)
•
+ b8 m zr α K W + b9 n zr α K W

30 POLISH MARITIME RESEARCH, No 3/2007

 Values of the regression coefficients ai , bi are determined = +10°. Generally, for each angular position of guide vane
on the basis of the Gauss-Markov theorem when searching for blades the compressor characteristics take the form described by
minimum values of the functionals: three values : of the rotational speed of compressor rotor, nzr, of
•
the mass air flow rate m zr, and the compressor compression π s .
Jπ (a 0 , a 1, a 2 , a 3 , a 4 , a 5 , a 6 , a 7 , a 8 , a 9 ) = In Fig.8 can be observed changes of the compressor operation
s
n (5) range for two values of the reduced rotational speed of
=∑ (π sk − πsk )
2
compressor, nzr = 8000 and 9000 rpm, in function of the angle
k =1 of setting of controllable blades of initial whirl guide vane.
Values of the regression coefficients of the equations which
Jπ (b 0 , b1, b 2 , b 3 , b 4 , b 5 , b 6 , b 7 , b8 , b 9 ) = approximate characteristics of the compressor in question are
s
n given in Tab. 1, and in Tab. 2 – values of statistical parameters
=∑ (ηsk − ηsk )
2
(6)
showing degree of adequacy of values obtained from model
k =1 investigations against experimental ones.
They constitute sums of squares of deviations of the values Tab. 1. Values of regression coefficients for particular equations.
obtained by using the model π s , η s from real values π s , η s .
Adequacy of matching the mathematical description of Regression Regression
characteristics of a given compressor and its real run can be No. Value Value
coefficient coefficient
assessed on the basis of the following factors : 1 a0 2.099955 b0 -0.583216
a) value of the multi-dimensional correlation coefficient R 2 a1 -0.312917 b1 -0.272626
expressed as follows :
N 3 a2 -0.022847 b2 -0.017450
∑
n =1
[(Yn − Yr ) (Ŷn − Ym )] 4 a3 0.000047 b3 0.000976
R= (7) 5 a4 0.000000 b4 0.000000
N N
∑ (Yn − Yr ) ∑ (Ŷn − Ym )
2 2
6 a5 0.000115 b5 0.000113
n =1 n =1 7 a6 0.059954 b6 0.068760
)
b) value of the remainder variance σ 2 expressed as follows : 8 a7 -0.003556 b7 0.000929
) N

N − K −1 ∑
1 2 9 a8 0.016743 b8 0.009397
σ2 = (Yn − Ŷn ) (8)
n =1 10 a9 -0.000038 b9 -0.000032
) 2 Value of R should be as large as possible, and value of Tab. 2. Degree of adequacy between the model and real object
σ - as small as possible. It then speaks for an insignificant
deviation of the model from reality. )2
No. Characteristics R σ
The mathematical model of compressor can be improved
by adding new terms or replacing the existing ones in the •
equations (3) and (4). Solution of the mathematical model of 1 π s = f m zr , n zr , α K W 0.99939 0.00628
compressor consists in determining values of the coefficients
•
in the elaborated regression equations. 2 η s = f m zr , n zr , α K W 0.99782 0.00298
The LP compressor of DR76 engine was used to confirm
usefulness of the least squares method and multi-dimensional
polynomial-based regression method for building the mathe-
matical model of characteristics of the compressor with change-
CONCLUSIONS
able flow passage geometry. In Fig.8 a part of the compressor
The presented mathematical model of axial compressor
model characteristics is presented for three angular settings working in the gas turbine engine system makes it possible
of controllable inlet guide vane : αKW = -10°, αKW = 0°, αKW = to numerically investigate the gas-dynamic processes taking
place in its flow passages.

The changeable setting angles of blades of controllable
guide vanes of particular compression stages, taken into
account in the model, significantly widens possible iden-
tification of unserviceability states in the system of flow
passage geometry control.

Simulative investigations of gas-dynamic processes taking
place in the compressor in the conditions of introduced
changes in set-up values of the input quantities of the pre-
sented model, make it possible to determine the diagnostic
relations „defect-symptom” used for assessing technical
states of gas-turbine engines.
NOMENCLATURE
Fig. 8. Compressor model characteristics for changeable angles of setting
of controllable blades of initial whirl guide vane; stable operation limit line α1 - angle of air flow off blades of guide vane ring
for the angle of setting of controllable guide vane, αKW = -10°, αKW - setting angle of controllable blades of guide vanes
stable operation limit line for the angle of setting of controllable β1, β2 - angle of air inlet to and outlet off rotor blades,
guide vane , αKW = 0°, stable operation limit line for the angle respectively
of setting of controllable guide vane , αKW = +10° . ca - axial component of absolute flow velocity

POLISH MARITIME RESEARCH, No 3/2007 31

c1a - axial component of absolute flow velocity at inlet to compressor unit of marine gas turbine engine for diagnostics
rotor blade ring, purposes (in Polish). Polish Naval University. Ass.Prof.
c1a obl - computational value of axial component of absolute qualifying dissertation, Gdynia, 1998
flow velocity at inlet to rotor blade ring, 7. Korczewski Z., Wirkowski P.: Modelling gas-dynamic processes
ηs - compressor efficiency within turbine engines’ compressors with variable geometry of
i - angle of air flow onto rotor blades flow duct. 4th International Scientifical-Technical Conference
φ - relative air humidity “Explo-Diesel & Gas Turbine ‘05”, Gdańsk-Międzyzdroje-
λ - angular setting of engine load control handle Kopenhaga, Publ. by Gdańsk University of Technology, Gdańsk
•
m - mass air flow rate 2005
•
mpal - mass fuel flow rate 8. Marschal D.J., Muir D.E., Saravanamuttoo H.I.H.: Health
n - rotational speed of compressor rotor Monitoring of Variable Geometry Gas Turbines for the
nBJ - rotational speed of rotor of compressor during engine Canadian Navy. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
idle running 345 E.47 St., New York, N.Y.10017
n1, n2, ni, - rotational speeds of compressor rotor at partial load 9. Muszyński M., Orkisz M.: Modelling of gas turbine jet engines
states (in Polish). Published by Library of Institute of Aeronautics,
nnom , nmax - rotational speeds of compressor rotor at rated and Warszawa, 1997
maximum load of engine, respectively 10.Orkisz M., Stawarz S.: Modelling of characteristics of
nzr - reduced rotational speeds of compressor rotor compressors of gas turbine engines (in Polish). Reports of
pot - ambient pressure Institute of Aeronautics, no.146, Warszawa, 1996
11. Pawlak W., Wiklik K., Morawski J.M.: Synthesis and analysiss
πs - compression of compressor of control systems of aircraft gas turbine engines by using
R - multi-dimensional correlation coefficient computer simulation methods (in Polish). Published by Library
Tot - ambient temperature of Institute of Aeronautics, Warszawa, 1996
)2 12.Pieregudow W.: Least squares method and its application (in
σ - remainder variance Polish). State Economical Publishers (PWE), Warszawa, 1967
u - circumferential velocity 13.Wirkowski P.: Double-rotor marine gas-turbine engine as
w 1, w 2 - relative air flow velocity at inlet to and outlet from rotor an object of modeling (in Polish). 32nd National Symposium
blade ring, respectively „Diagnostyka Maszyn” (Diagnostics of Machines), Węgierska
∆wu - flow swirl in rotor Górka, 2005.
Abbreviations and indices:
ai, bi - coefficients of regression equation (i = 0…9) CONTACT WITH THE AUTHOR
COGAG - Combination Gas-turbine and Gas-turbine propulsion
system Paweł Wirkowski, Ms.C.
k - number of regression function coefficient Mechanic-Electric Faculty,
KS - combustion chamber Polish Naval University
MN - space between propulsion turbine and LP turbine of Śmidowicza 69
engine 81-103 Gdynia, POLAND
n - number of measurement (n = 1 … N) e-mail : [email protected]
Ν - set of measurement points
PM - space between compressors
PR - reduction transmission gear
PSK - space between HP compressor and combustion chamber
S - compressor
SN - screw propeller
SNC - low pressure (LP) compressor
SWC
TN
- high pressure (HP) compressor
- propulsion turbine
Days of Engineering
TNC - low pressure (LP) turbine On 23-25 November 2006, 37th Days of Engineering
TWC - high pressure (HP) turbine
was held on the occasion of 60th Anniversary of Technical
Yn - real value at the instant of n-th measurement
|n - value calculated from model at the instant of n-th University of Szczecin, the oldest technical university of
Y
measurement West Pomerania, as well as of many scientific technical so-
Yr - real arithmetic mean value cieties of the town, namely : that of electricians, geodesists,
Ym - arithmetic mean value calculated from model mechanical engineers and technicians, water engineers and
technicians as well as the Federation of Scientific Technical
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Societies NOT (Naczelna Organizacja Techniczna).
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Aeronautics, Warszawa, 1997 Youth and Engineering – a chance
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XLIV, Warszawa, 1995  the Federation of Scientific Technical Societies NOT,
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Polish). Transport and Telecommunication Publishing House
(WKiŁ), Warszawa, 1982
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32 POLISH MARITIME RESEARCH, No 3/2007