NASA TECHNICAL NOTE

LOAN COPY: R E T U R h r r g JJ

g
AFWkL (WLIL-2) 0
w- m
- n
KIRTLAND AFB, NM
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S
- 2
L

BLADE-ELEMENT PERFORMANCE
OF 0.7 HUB-TIP RADIUS RATIO
AXIAL-FLOW-PUMP ROTOR WITH
TIP DIFFUSION FACTOR OF 0.43

by James E. Crozcse and Donald M . Sandercock

Lewis Research Center
Cleueland, Ohio

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON, D. C. 0 SEPTEMBER 1964

 TECH LIBRARY KAFB, NM

IllllllllllllllllllllIll
, ..

0079b03

BLADE-ELEMENT PERFORMANCE OF 0.7 HUB-TIP RADIUS

RATIO AXIAL-FLOW-PUMP ROTOR WITH T I P

DIFFUSION FACTOR OF 0.43

By James E . C r o u s e and Donald M. Sandercock

Lewis R e s e a r c h Center
Cleveland, Ohio

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

~~ ~

For s a l e by the O f f i c e of T e c h n i c a l Services, Department of Commerce,

Washington, D.C. 20230 -- Price $1.00
 BLADE-ELEMENT PEEFORMANCE OF 0.7 WB-TIP RADIUS
RATIO AXIAL-FLOW-PUMP ROTOR WITH TIP

DIFFUSION FACTOR OF 0.43

b y James E. Crouse and Donald M. Sandercock

Lewis Research Center

SUMMARY
A 9-inch-diameter a x i a l - f l o w pump w a s t e s t e d i n water. T!ne double-
c i r c u l a r - a r c - b l a d e d r o t o r had a h u b - t i p r a d i u s r a t i o of 0.7, t i p s o l i d i t y of
1 . 0 2 , and d e s i g n D - f a c t o r s of 0.43 and 0.70 a t t h e t i p and hub, r e s p e c t i v e l y .
The i n v e s t i g a t i o n covered o p e r a t i o n s under b o t h n o n c a v i t a t i n g and c a v i t a t i n g
conditions. R a d i a l surveys of flow c o n d i t i o n s a t t h e r o t o r i n l e t and o u t l e t
were taken, and performance a c r o s s a s e l e c t e d number of b l a d e elements w a s com-
puted and presented.

The l a r g e s t v a r i a t i o n of blade-element performance parameters with i n l e t

flow occurred i n t h e b l a d e t i p r e g i o n , t h u s i n d i c a t i n g t h e c r i t i c a l i t y of de-
s i g n i n t h i s area. Over t h e upper 30 p e r c e n t of b l a d e h e i g h t , l o s s - c o e f f i c i e n t
d i s t r i b u t i o n s w i t h incidence a n g l e s f o r t h i s r o t o r c o n f i g u r a t i o n i n d i c a t e d t h a t
p o s i t i v e b l a d e s t a l l ( s h a r p i n c r e a s e i n l o s s c o e f f i c i e n t ) occurred very c l o s e
t o t h e minimum-loss incidence angle, b u t t h e l o s s c o e f f i c i e n t i n c r e a s e d very
slowly moving from r e f e r e n c e incidence angle toward a n e g a t i v e s t a l l condition.

A t d e s i g n flow t h e d e s i g n and measured performance compared f a v o r a b l y a t

a l l r a d i a l l o c a t i o n s except a t t h e t i p element. Because of a decrease i n t h e
i n l e t - f l o w c o e f f i c i e n t a t t h i s element (probably due t o c a s i n g boundary l a y e r ) ,
t h e t i p r o t o r element operated a t an incidence angle above t h e design value and
very c l o s e t o a blade s t a l l condition. Consequently, t h e t i p - r e g i o n p e r f o r -
mance showed s i g n i f i c a n t d e v i a t i o n s from t h e p r e d i c t e d d e s i g n values. Fur-
thermore, although a t d e s i g n flow most of t h e b l a d e elements were o p e r a t i n g
near t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e minimum-loss o p e r a t i n g p o i n t s , t h e flow margin between
design and b l a d e s t a l l w a s s m a l l .

The measured pump r o t o r performance i s compared w i t h p r e d i c t e d v a l u e s

using t h e d e s i g n procedures of r e f e r e n c e 1. The s e n s i t i v i t y of t h e d e s i g n pro-
cedure a t high i n l e t - f l o w a n g l e s i s demonstrated, and t h e need f o r a d d i t i o n a l
d a t a and/or m o d i f i c a t i o n s t o t h e d e s i g n system f o r use i n t h e high i n l e t - f l o w
angle area i s indicated.
 I 111111111111111II I I

Tests under c a v i t a t i n g c o n d l t i o n s showed t h a t t h e e f f e c t s of c a v i t a t i o n on

r o t o r b l a d e performance were f i r s t noted a t a c a v i t a t i o n number of approxi-
mately 0.19.

INTRODUCTION

%e success of t h e d e s i g n of a n axial-flow-pump rotor (or s t a t o r ) depends

p r i m a r i l y on t h e a b i l i t y to p r e d i c t a c c u r a t e l y t h e following:

(1)Deviation of t h e f l u i d - f l o w a n g l e s from t h e b l a d e a n g l e s

( 2 ) Level of l o s s of t h e flow p r o c e s s through t h e cascades of b l a d e s

(3) Incidence a n g l e (or a n g l e of a t t a c k ) a t which t h e l o s s i s i n a

minimum-loss range

Considerations of maximum b l a d e loading, flow range, and s t a b i l i t y g e n e r a l l y

guide t h e s e l e c t i o n of t h e previous b a s i c parameter values. F i n a l l y , t h e b l a d e
elements should be matched f o r o v e r a l l optimum design.

I n r e f e r e n c e 1t h e blade-element performance from a l a r g e nuniber of cas-

cades and rotors u t i l i z i n g a i r as t h e t e s t f l u i d a r e c o r r e l a t e d , and e m p i r i c a l
r u l e s for p r e d i c t i n g minimum-loss incidence angle, d e v i a t i o n angle, and l o s s
a r e formulated. The o v e r a l l and blade-element performance of an a x i a l - f l o w
r o t o r pumping water i s p r e s e n t e d i n r e f e r e n c e s 2 and 3. I n a d d i t i o n to t h e
d i f f e r e n c e s of f l u i d s and flow v e l o c i t i e s , t h e most s i g n i f i c a n t d i f f e r e n c e from
t h e d a t a of r e f e r e n c e 1 i s t h e l a r g e b l a d e s t a g g e r a n g l e s (or i n l e t a n g l e s ) a t
which t h e water pump o p e r a t e s as compared t o t h o s e used by air-compressor r o t o r
blades. Comparisons of t h e observed r e s u l t s of t h i s pump r o t o r o p e r a t i n g i n
water with t h o s e p r e d i c t e d from t h e d e s i g n rules p r e s e n t e d i n r e f e r e n c e 1 a r e
made.

To e v a l u a t e f u r t h e r t h e u t i l i t y of applying t h e d a t a of r e f e r e n c e 1 t o
t h e d e s i g n of a x i a l - f l o w pumps, t h e performance of t h i s second pump r o t o r w a s
investigated. This r o t o r had a h i g h e r l e v e l of b l a d e loading and a h i g h e r hub-
t i p r a d i u s r a t i o t h a n t h a t r e p o r t e d i n r e f e r e n c e 2. The design and o v e r a l l
performance of t h i s r o t o r a r e r e p o r t e d i n r e f e r e n c e 4. This r e p o r t p r e s e n t s
t h e performance of t h e i n d i v i d u a l b l a d e elements and compares it with t h e de-
s i g n c r i t e r i a of r e f e r e n c e l. C a v i t a t i o n perfornance i s a l s o presented.

APPARATUS AND PROCEDURE

The r o t o r d e s i g n procedure, t e s t f a c i l i t y , instrumentation, and t e s t meth.
ods a r e presented i n some d e t a i l i n r e f e r e n c e 2; consequently, only a b r i e f
resume of s a l i e n t p o i n t s w i l l be made h e r e i n . ( A l l symbols a r e d e f i n e d i n
appendix A. )

2
 Rotor Design

The pump r o t o r w a s 9 inches i n diameter w i t h a 0.7 h u b - t i p r a d i u s r a t i o .

TABLE I. - RADIAL DISTRIBUTIONS OF DESIGN PARAMETERS

[Rotor t i p diameter, 9.00 inches; number of
blades, 19. ]

Rot or D i f f U- Cnci- Devia- :amber j o l i d i t y , Zhord, j e t t i n g i a t i o of

hub-tip sion hnce tion tngle 7 U CY , maximum
radius f a c t o r , Ingle > % l e CPJ in. r ihicknes:
ratio D 1, 6, deg ;o chord;
r/rt deg deg tmdc
~

Tip LOC 0.426 6.4 4.6 0 1.01 1 a 67.1 0.0700

.9: .433 2.0 5.4 ll.8 1.06 64.9 .0725
.9c .464 .9 6.9 16.4 1.12 62.8 .0750
.8.5 .505 -5 7.8 19.8 1.19 60.5 .0775
.8C .555 .6 8.3 22.1 1.26 58.2 .0800
.7.5 .615 1.0 8.8 24.6 1.35 55.3 .0825
Hub .7C .693 1.2 9.3 27.6 1.44 52.2 .OB50

The d e s i g n u t i l i z e d a b l a d e element concept with d e s i g n c a l c u l a t i o n s made

a c r o s s a s e l e c t e d number of b l a d e elements. These a r e t h e n stacked t o form a
blade.

The v e l o c i t y diagrams were c o n s t r u c t e d u t i l i z i n g t h e following assump-

t i o n s and s e l e c t i o n s :

(1)N o i n l e t w h i r l (Vo,l = 0)

( 2 ) I n l e t r e l a t i v e flow angle
of 73.6O a t t h e t i p ( i d e a l
i n l e t - f l o w c o e f f i c i e n t of
0.294 when combined w i t h
(1)1
(3) Inlet-flow coefficient 01
constant a t a l l r a d i i

( 4 ) R a d i a l l y c o n s t a n t energy
a d d i t i o n (qi = 0.294)

( 5 ) Assumed r a d i a l d i s t r i b u t i o n
of l o s s c o e f f i c i e n t

( 6 ) Radial equilibrium
(ah/& = < / g r )

Double -c i r e ular a r c -blade

shapes ( c i r c u l a r - a r c camber l i n e )
Zc-60783 were s e l e c t e d t o e s t a b l i s h t h e de-

Figure 1. - Rotor.
3
I Il I I1 111111l1l111 I

s i r e d flow c o n d l t i o n s . Blade incidence and d e v i a t i o n a n g l e were computed from

t h e e q u a t i o n s of r e f e r e n c e 1 w i t h s l i g h t m o d i f i c a t i o n s a s d e s c r i b e d i n r e f e r -
ence 4.

R a d i a l d i s t r i b u t i o n s of s i g n i f i c a n t d e s i g n parameters a r e given i n t a b l e I
and on t h e performance f i g u r e s . A photograph of t h e rotor i s shown i n f i g -
ure 1.

Test F a c i l i t y

The pump performance w a s i n v e s t i g a t e d i n t h e Lewis Research Center water

tunnel. The major components of t h i s f a c i l i t y a r e shown schematically i n f i g -
ure 2. During o p e r a t i o n t h e gas c o n t e n t remains below 3 p a r t s p e r m i l l i o n by
weight. The f i l t e r i n g system i s capable of removing s o l i d m a t t e r l a r g e r t h a n
5 microns.

T e s t Procedure and I n s t r u m e n t a t i o n

The t e s t procedure c o n s i s t e d of s e t t i n g flow, speed, and i n l e t p r e s s u r e

and t h e n o b t a i n i n g r a d i a l surveys of t o t a l and s t a t i c heads p l u s f l o w angle a t
t h e blade i n l e t and o u t l e t . The survey i n s t r u m e n t s shown i n f i g u r e 3 con-
s i s t e d of a claw-type probe t h a t measured t o t a l p r e s s u r e and angle and a wedge-
t y p e probe t h a t measured s t a t i c p r e s s u r e and angle. Measuring s t a t i o n s were
l o c a t e d approximately 1 i n c h upstream and downstream of t h e blade l e a d i n g and
t r a i l i n g edge, r e s p e c t i v e l y . A head c a l i b r a t i o n f a c t o r f o r each s t a t i c wedge

,-Circulating pump for

Heat exchanqer ,/ degasification process

\-Test section

r Pressure
I controlling
I accumulator / (a) Total-pressure claw. (b) Static-pressure wedge.
1
.,---
%. '
..... .
---,
Figure 3. - Probes
I/CD-6902
Figure 2. - Lewis water tunnel.

4
w a s determined i n an a i r t u n n e l and a p p l i e d t o t h e measured s t a t i c p r e s s u r e s i n
t h e w a t e r t u n n e l . Rotor speed w a s obtained f r o m an e l e c t r o n i c speed counter
used i n conjunction with a magnetic pickup, and f l o w w a s measured by means of a
v e n t u r i flowmeter. Water temperature w a s maintained a t a constant value of
approximately 80' F. The estimated accuracy of t h e following measurements rep-
r e s e n t s t h e i n h e r e n t accuracy of t h e measuring and recording devices employed:

Flow r a t e , Q, p e r c e n t ........................ < +LO

.......................

1 3
R o t a t i v e speed, N, p e r c e n t f0.5
Head r i s e , AH, percent of f u l l s c a l e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . < +0.5
Flow angles, p, deg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . k1.0
Discrepancies a r i s i n g from unsteady flow c o n d i t i o n s , c i r c u m f e r e n t i a l v a r i a t i o n s
of flow, c a v i t a t i o n on t h e probes, e t c . , could not be evaluated.

The equations necessary f o r c a l c u l a t i o n . o f t h e d e s i r e d performance param-

e t e r s a r e presented i n appendix B.

Figure 4 provides some check on t h e r e l i a b i l i t y of t h e d a t a by comparing

fl I
Net positive Rotative
suction head,
' Hs:, I

14 0
fl
133

- c
1 9 .41
9 c

.33 .35 .37 .39 .41 .31 .33

Average flow coefficient, Q
(a) Inlet measuring station. (b) Outlet measuring station.
Figure 4. -Comparison of integrated weight flows at blade inlet and outlet with those measured by venturi meter.

t h e i n t e g r a t e d weight f l o w s a t t h e b l a d e i n l e t and o u t l e t with t h o s e measured

by t h e v e n t u r i flowmeter. The comparisons a t both t h e i n l e t and o u t l e t mea-
s u r i n g s t a t i o n s a r e considered good and presage confidence i n t h e v a l i d i t y of
t h e observed flow measurements.

S e l e c t i o n of Blade-Element Parameters f o r Analysis

The a n a l y s i s of r o t o r performance p a r a l l e l s t h e design procedure i n t h a t

i n d i v i d u a l element performance i s analyzed and t h e n i n t e g r a t e d t o o b t a i n t h e
o v e r a l l blade row performance. Through a given blade passage t h e flow p a t t e r n s
a r e p r i m a r i l y a f f e c t e d by
5
 (1)Incidence a n g l e

( 2 ) Deviation a n g l e

(3) Loss l e v e l , or l o s s c o e f f i c i e n t

A s a measure of t h e b l a d e loading, t h e d i f f u s i o n f a c t o r D d e f i n e d and devel-

oped i n r e f e r e n c e 5 i s u t i l i z e d . The c a v i t a t i o n number k p r o v i d e s a measure
of t h e s u s c e p t i b i l i t y of t h e b l a d e s t o c a v i t a t i o n . The amount of t u r n i n g of
t h e f l u i d done b y a given b l a d e row i s computed from t h e r e l a t i o n

The energy a d d i t i o n imparted t o t h e f l u i d by t h e r o t o r b l a d e s i s shown as

an i d e a l h e a d - r i s e c o e f f i c i e n t Jri and i s dependent on t h e f l u i d t u r n i n g and
a x i a l v e l o c i t y changes ( s e e eqs. (Bl) and ( B 7 ) of appendix B). Accordingly, t o
support both d e s i g n and a n a l y s i s procedures and t o permit reproduction of de-
s i r e d v e l o c i t y diagrams, t h e d a t a a r e p r e s e n t e d i n terms of t h e following
blade-element parameters:

(1)Head-rise c o e f f i c i e n t $

( 2 ) ideal head-rise c o e f f i c i e n t $
i
(3) E f f i c i e n c y 7

( 4 ) Incidence a n g l e i

( 5 ) Deviation a n g l e 6

( 6 ) Loss c o e f f i c i e n t

( 7 ) Diffusion f a c t o r D

( 8 ) Flow c o e f f i c i e n t CP

( 9 ) C a v i t a t i o n number k

(10) Fluid-flow a n g l e p
All parameters a r e d e f i n e d by t h e e q u a t i o n s of appendix B.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A n i n i t i a l s t e p i n an i n v e s t i g a t i o n of t h i s type i s t h e d e t e r m i n a t i o n of
a n i n l e t p r e s s u r e (compatible w i t h r o t o r speed) above which t h e measured per-
formance i s not a f f e c t e d by c a v i t a t i o n , or vapor formation, o c c u r r i n g i n t h e
flow passages around t h e blade. Operation above and below t h i s p r e s s u r e i s de-
f i n e d h e r e i n as n o n c a v i t a t i n g and c a v i t a t i n g , r e s p e c t i v e l y . Performance ob-
served under t h e s e two t y p e s of o p e r a t i o n w i l l b e p r e s e n t e d and d i s c u s s e d i n

6
s e p u a t e sections.

For t h i s p a r t i c u l a r r o t o r o p e r a t i n g i n water a t a b l a d e t i p speed of

141.5 f e e t p e r second, as t h e system head w a s reduced t h e i n i t i a l e f f e c t s of
c a v i t a t i o n on measured r o t o r performance occurred at a n i n l e t head of approxi-
mately 1 1 7 f e e t (corresponding t o a s u c t i o n s p e c i f i c speed of approximately
7600). A t t h e s e o p e r a t i n g c o n d i t i o n s c a v i t a t i o n on t h e b l a d e s u r f a c e and i n
t h e t i p v o r t e x w a s v i s i b l e through a t r a n s p a r e n t a c r y l i c p l a s t i c casing. In-
c r e a s i n g t h e i n l e t p r e s s u r e t o 160 f e e t e l i m i n a t e d t h e b l a d e s u r f a c e c a v i t a t i o n
b u t n o t a l l t h e t i p v o r t e x c a v i t a t i o n ; hence, performance obtained a t an i n l e t
head of 160 f e e t (or g r e a t e r ) i s p r e s e n t e d h e r e i n as noncavitating.

I n g e n e r a l , t h e curves p r e s e n t e d a r e s e l f - e x p l a n a t o r y and only p o i n t s of

s p e c i a l s i g n i f i c a n c e w i l l be discussed.

Noncavitating Performance

Overall performance. - The n o n c a v i t a t i n g o v e r a l l - performance i s presented

i n f i g u r e 5 with mass-averaged h e a d - r i s e c o e f f i c i e n t JI and e f f i c i e n c y 7

I1 I I I I I I I
Rotor Net positive
tip suction head,
speed,
"tl
ftlsec
0 113
0

\
+
,

.x)
\x.34 .38 .42 .26 .?u .34 .38 .42
Average flow coefficient, (p
Figure 5. - Overall performance of axial-flow-pump rotor for noncavitating conditions.

shown a s f u n c t i o n s of f l o w c o e f f i c i e n t v.
Design v a l u e s a r e included f o r com-
parison. Since t h e o v e r a l l performance i s discussed i n r e f e r e n c e 4, only t h e
major p o i n t s a r e r e p e a t e d b r i e f l y h e r e i n .

A t design-flow c o e f f i c i e n t (assuming a 3-percent boundarv l a y e r blockage

f a c t o r ) t h e r o t o r produced a s l i g h t l y higher-than-design head r i s e a t a higher-
than-design e f f i c i e n c y . If t h e whole range of o p e r a t i o n s i s considered, t h r e e
s i g n i f i c a n t performance f e a t u r e s a r e noted f o r t h i s r o t o r , namely,

(1)High l e v e l of e f f i c i e n c y

7
 ( 2 ) R e l a t i v e l y wide range of o p e r a t i o n over which a high e f f i c i e n c y
(>O. 90) w a s a t t a i n e d

( 3 ) Small flow margin between t h e d e s i g n p o i n t and a n o p e r a t i n g c o n d i t i o n

(6
= 0.271) below which excessive r i g v i b r a t i o n s prevented prolonged
operation

Blade-element performance. - Figure 6 p r e s e n t s t h e r a d i a l d i s t r i b u t i o n s

of flow and s e l e c t e d blade-element performance parameters f o r a range of oper-
a t i n g c o n d i t i o n s . This t y p e of p l o t d i s p l a y s t h e r a d i a l d i s t r i b u t i o n s of flow
and r a d i a l matching of blade-element performance under v a r i o u s modes of oper-
a t i o n . It a l s o i n d i c a t e s t h e range of i n l e t - f l o w c o n d i t i o n s a succeeding sta-
tor row would b e r e q u i r e d to accept.

Over t h e range of flow covered by f i g u r e 6, t h e i n l e t c o n d i t i o n s show no

s i g n i f i c a n t change i n t h e r a d i a l d i s t r i b u t i o n s of flow parameters. Axial ve-
l o c i t i e s are n e a r l y c o n s t a n t a c r o s s t h e passage with t h e s m a l l dropoff i n t h e
t i p r e g i o n probably due to e f f e c t s of c a s i n g boundary l a y e r . Reference 4 a l s o
showed a decrease i n i n l e t t o t a l head a t t h i s s t a t i o n f o r a l l o p e r a t i n g condi-
tions. F r e r o t a t i o n of t h e f l u i d i s s m a l l a t a l l o p e r a t i n g p o i n t s and, i n gen-
e r a l , i n c r e a s e s s l i g h t l y as flow i s decreased.

The r a d i a l d i s t r i b u t i o n of o u t l e t - f l o w c o n d i t i o n s and performance r e l a t e s

the i n d i v i d u a l element performances through t h e r a d i a l e q u i l i b r i u m r e q u i r e -
ments. To c o n s t r u c t t h e r a d i a l d i s t r i b u t i o n of o u t l e t - f l o w c o n d i t i o n s and p e r -
formance a t a given i n l e t flow, some knowledge of t h e v a r i a t i o n of d e v i a t i o n
angle and loss w i t h incidence angle f o r each element must b e a v a i l a b l e . (This
type of information i s p r e s e n t e d l a t e r i n t h i s s e c t i o n . ) The r a d i a l d i s t r i b u -
t i o n s of o u t l e t - f l o w c o n d i t i o n s and element performance f o r t h i s rotor i n d i c a t e
t h a t t h e b l a d e t i p r e g i o n d i s p l a y s t h e g r e a t e s t s e n s i t i v i t y to changes i n
inlet-flow coefficient. The following o b s e r v a t i o n s a r e made:

(1)For any given value of b l a d e l o a d i n g (as i n d i c a t e d by D-factor v a l -

u e s ) , t h e l e v e l of l o s s measured i n t h e t i p r e g i o n i s s e v e r a l times t h a t ob-
served a t any o t h e r r a d i a l l o c a t i o n . This i n d i c a t e s t h e occurrence of t i p
c l e a r a n c e and secondary flows and t h e i r e f f e c t s on t h e l e v e l of l o s s i n t h i s
region.

( 2 ) The energy a d d i t i o n v a r i a t i o n w i t h i n l e t flow c o e f f i c i e n t i s consider-

a b l y l a r g e r i n t h e t i p r e g i o n t h a n a t o t h e r r a d i a l s t a t i o n s . A simple v e l o c i t y
diagram a n a l y s i s , assuming t h e d e v i a t i o n a n g l e s or o u t l e t - r e l a t i v e - f l o w a n g l e s
remain c o n s t a n t , i n d i c a t e s t h a t f o r a given change of o u t l e t - f l o w c o e f f i c i e n t
t h e energy a d d i t i o n qi change w i l l be g r e a t e r as t h e o u t l e t - r e l a t i v e - f l o w
angle i n c r e a s e s . I n an a c t u a l a p p l i c a t i o n , however, t h e changes obtained from
t h e s e i d e a l i z e d c a l c u l a t i o n s are tempered by r a d i a l e q u i l i b r i u m requirements
and t h e e f f e c t s of t h e r a d i a l g r a d i e n t of l o s s on t h e r a d i a l v a r i a t i o n of a x i a l
velocity.

( 3 ) The e f f e c t s of t h e r a d i a l v a r i a t i o n s of l o s s c o e f f i c i e n t a r e observed
on both t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n s of a c t u a l h e a d - r i s e c o e f f i c i e n t and o u t l e t - f l o w
c o e f f i c i e n t CP I n b o t h c a s e s t h e g r a d i e n t s i n t h e t i p r e g i o n a r e l e s s than
2'

8
 --.
\
-

.1
.3,
Design,
1 ;
110

I c

.-
c
m
.-
V

.2 =, .1
8
VI
0
v)

.1 H)I 1 1 0

.7

5
c
L-
0

c
.5 .451 I !
.-
0

-VI
2 .3
.-
n
.35

I
.1 .251

.35

3
c

.s
.-
c
.25y m
m
U
= I
m
V
0
ro

.- VI
-
m-
m
5
P .15iI .-cm
0

-
c

>
m
.051 n
.7 .8 .9 1.0 .7 .8 .9 1.0 .7 .8 .9 1.0
Rotor hub-tip radius ratio, r / r t

Figure 6. - Radial distributions of flow and blade-element performance parameters for noncavitating conditions. Rotor tangential velocity
at tip, 141.5 feet per second; net positive suction head, >160 feet.

. . ... . .. .... . . .- -
might be expected from t h e observed sharp g r a d i e n t s of energy a d d i t i o n . This
i s noted p a r t i c u l a r l y when comparing r a d i a l d i s t r i b u t i o n s a t i n l e t - f l o w coef-
f i c i e n t s of 0.302 and 0.284.

For comparison with design, t h e d a t a obtained a t a flow c o e f f i c i e n t of

0.284 ( d e s i g n @ = 0 . 2 8 2 ) a r e used. A t t h e i n l e t t h e e f f e c t s of c a s i n g bound-
a r y l a y e r on t h e v e l o c i t y i n t h e t i p r e g i o n s r e s u l t e d i n a lower-than-design
a x i a l v e l o c i t y at t h e t i p and a s l i g h t l y higher-than-design a x i a l v e l o c i t y a t
a l l o t h e r s t a t i o n s . This i s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e comparison of design and mea-
sured incidence a n g l e shown. Small p o s i t i v e - f l o w a n g l e s ( < 3 O ) were measured
a t a l l r a d i i i n comparison to t h e d e s i g n assumption of no i n l e t w h i r l . A t t h e
design l e v e l of performance a t t h e hub measuring s t a t i o n (r/rt = 0.728) an
i n l e t - f l o w a n g l e of 2.7' r e s u l t s i n a d i f f e r e n c e of 0.5' i n incidence a n g l e and
a 3- to 4-percent d i f f e r e n c e i n energy a d d i t i o n .
.The o u t l e t d i s t r i b u t i o n s of flow c o n d i t i o n s and performance parameters
show t h a t t h e l a r g e s t v a r i a t i o n s from d e s i g n a r e o c c u r r i n g i n t h e t i p region.
The energy a d d i t i o n qi is s i g n i f i c a n t l y h i g h e r than t h e d e s i g n value because
b o t h d e v i a t i o n angle 6 and o u t l e t - f l o w c o e f f i c i e n t 'P2 a r e lower t h a n design.
-
Although t h e l o s s c o e f f i c i e n t CD i s a l s o h i g h e r t h a n design, t h e r e s u l t i n g
e f f e c t i s a higher-than-design h e a d - r i s e c o e f f i c i e n t , b u t a t a lower-than-
d e s i g n e f f i c i e n c y . The reason f o r t h e low value of d e v i a t i o n angle a t t h i s
t i p element i s not r e a d i l y explained. The sharp i n c r e a s e i n l o s s c o e f f i c i e n t
a t t h e design flow over o t h e r flow c o n d i t i o n s i n d i c a t e s t h a t t h e t i p element
may be i n , or c l o s e to, a s t a l l e d condition. If so, a measurement e r r o r would
not be unexpected, although t h e o v e r a l l i n t e g r a t e d and v e n t u r i measured flows
check very c l o s e l y a t t h i s o p e r a t i n g c o n d i t i o n .

A t a l l o t h e r elements t h e d i f f e r e n c e s between t h e design and t h e observed

v a l u e s of blade-element parameters a r e i n t h e same d i r e c t i o n , as noted on t h e
curves. I n g e n e r a l , t h e p r e d i c t e d ( d e s i g n ) l o s s c o e f f i c i e n t s exceeded t h e ob-
served v a l u e s ( e s p e c i a l l y i n t h e hub r e g i o n ) ; although t h e measured energy
a d d i t i o n w a s lower t h a n design, t h e measured and d e s i g n v a l u e s of h e a d - r i s e
c o e f f i c i e n t compared f a v o r a b l y a t a l l r a d i i . The r e l a t i v e l y low v a l u e s of
l o s s c o e f f i c i e n t f o r a l l b u t t h e t i p element seem to i n d i c a t e t h a t most of t h e
elements a r e reasonably w e l l matched ( o p e r a t i n g c l o s e t o minimum loss) a t t h e
design flow point.

The comparison i l l c s t r a t e s t h e s e n s i t i v i t y of d e s i g n of b l a d e elements

w i t h high i n l e t angles. A v a r i a t i o n of ' 1 i n incidence or d e v i a t i o n angle r e -
sults i n s i g n i f i c a n t changes i n t h e i d e a l h e a d - r i s e c o e f f i c i e n t 'ki for this
type v e l o c i t y diagram. This i n t u r n a f f e c t s both t h e l e v e l of element p e r -
formance and r a d i a l e q u i l i b r i u m requirements. I n a d d i t i o n , it a l s o i n d i c a t e s
t h e need f o r p r e c i s e experimental t e c h n i q u e s and i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n when o b t a i n i n g
survey d a t a of t h i s type.

The performance of t h e i n d i v i d u a l b l a d e elements as f u n c t i o n s of incidence

angle i s presented i n f i g u r e 7. This type of p l o t i s used i n t h e a n a l y s i s and
d e s i g n of i n d i v i d u a l b l a d e elements.

A s noted earlier, t h e b a s i c parameters used i n a r o t o r design a r e minimum-

10
 l o s s incidence a n g l e s p l u s t h e l o s s l e v e l and d e v i a t i o n angle a t t h e r e f e r e n c e
incidence angle. A t r a d i a l p o s i t i o n s 1 and 2 (r/rt = 0 . 9 7 1 and 0.906, respec-
t i v e l y ) t h e flow ranges covered defined minimum-loss incidence a n g l e s reason-
a b l y well. Both of t h e s e b l a d e elements d i s p l a y a very sharp i n c r e a s e i n l o s s
on t h e p o s i t i v e (high i n c i d e n c e ) s i d e of t h e minimum-loss p o i n t and a gradual
i n c r e a s e i n l o s s on t h e negative (low i n c i d e n c e ) s i d e of t h e minimum-loss
p o i n t . A t t h e remaining r a d i a l measuring s t a t i o n s minimum-loss incidence a n -
g l e s a r e not w e i l defined, b u t a l l elements show a r e l a t i v e l y s m a l l i n c r e a s e i n
l o s s on t h e negative s i d e of minimum-loss incidence angle. A s a r e s u l t of t h i s
p a r t i c u l a r v a r i a t i o n of loss from t h e minimum-loss p o i n t t o higher incidence
angles, a t both r a d i a l p o s i t i o n s 1 and 2 t h e maximum e f f i c i e n c y and m i n i m u m
l o s s occur a t t h e same incidence angle.

C e r t a i n b a s i c performance t r e n d s on b l a d e s t e s t e d i n a two-dimensional
cascade are r e p o r t e d i n r e f e r e n c e 6, I n l e t flow a n g l e s up t o 70' are covered.
From t h e s e cascade t e s t s t h e recommended d e s i g n angle of a t t a c k i s s e l e c t e d by
examining measured b l a d e surface p r e s s u r e g r a d i e n t s and d e s i g n a t i n g t h e angle

I
70

Y
.a
01
L
n 60
E, m
=
c .4 -0
W

.-
c
0
&I

.-m>
c
-
ai
50
m
u o-- m
c
m

6
Rotor tip 1.". pa,..ive

sd
speed, suction head,

i;
30 Ut.
ftlsec
- 0 113.2 133
I 141.5 I
d 20 I I I

:I il.
13
z-
.-
al
.2
.-
c
V

W
V
0

-3 1 5 1 -4 0 4
Incidence angle, i , deg
(a) Radial position 1; rotor hub-tip radius ratio, 0.972.
Figure 7. - Rotor-blade-element performance characteristics for noncavitating conditions,
of a t t a c k at which no v e l o c i t y peaks appeared on e i t h e r b l a d e s u r f a c e as o p t i -
mum or design. The cascade r e s u l t s showed t h e f o l l o w i n g r e l a t e d results:

(1)For a given cambered b l a d e , t h e a n g l e of a t t a c k o p e r a t i n g range de-

c r e a s e s as i n l e t - f l o w angle i s increased.

( 2 ) For o p e r a t i o n at a 70' i n l e t - f l o w angle, t h e a n g l e of a t t a c k o p e r a t i n g

range d e c r e a s e s as camber i s increased. Also, t h e p o s i t i v e s t a l l angle of
a t t a c k approaches t h e d e s i g n angle of a t t a c k more r a p i d l y t h a n t h e negative
s t a l l a n g l e of a t t a c k .

The performance c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e b l a d e elements of t h i s r o t o r appear

t o comply with t h e t r e n d s noted previously. Assuming t h a t minimum loss and t h e
most f a v o r a b l e b l a d e s u r f a c e v e l o c i t y d i s t r i b u t i o n s OCCUT a t t h e same o p e r a t i n g
p o i n t ( a n g l e of a t t a c k ) , t h e small d i f f e r e n c e between t h e minimum-loss and pos-
i t i v e b l a d e s t a l l o p e r a t i n g p o i n t s would i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e t i p elements of t h i s
rotor a r e r e l a t i v e l y h i g h l y loaded, even p o s s i b l y approaching a l i m i t l o a d i n g
c o n d i t i o n f o r b l a d e elements approximating t h i s i n l e t angle range. The t i p
element ( r a d i a l p o s i t i o n 1 (RP 1))i n c u r r e d a D-factor of 0.44 a t t h e minimum-
l o s s o p e r a t i n g p o i n t . By t h e standards s e t f o r t h i n r e f e r e n c e 6 t h i s would b e

Rotor tip Net positive

speed, suction head.- m
V
W

ro
-
m
W

c
m
.-m
c
0

.-
c

n
t

.-
V
c

V
W
.-
W

.-VIL
m
P,

.1
D

c
m
V
I

3
I
0

.-c
0
VI

.-
c
D

sz
1
.3

t
.1

W
zs
.- L
g z
z <
-8 -4 0 4 -8 -4 0 4 -4 0
Incidence angle, i, deg
(b) Radial position 2; rotor hub-tip radius ratio, 0.906.
Figure 7. - Continued. Rotor-blade-element performance characteristics for noncavitating conditions.

12
S.
considered a h i g h l o a d i n g f o r a t i p element. The second element (Rp-2) a l s o
achieved a D-factor of 0.44 a t i t s minimum-loss o p e r a t i n g p o i n t . While t h i s
value i s not considered l a r g e f o r t h i s element, t h e incidence angle d i f f e r e n c e
between t h e minimum-loss and p o s i t i v e b l a d e s t a l l o p e r a t i n g p o i n t s a l s o has
increased slightly. Only performance t r e n d s a r e considered h e r e i n ; hence, no
attempt i s made t o a s s e s s e f f e c t s of b l a d e shape, s o l i d i t y , maximum t h i c k n e s s ,
and o t h e r parameters on t h e observed values.

It i s noted t h a t , even a t minimum-loss incidence angle, t h e l o s s i n t h e

t i p measuring s t a t i o n (RP 1) i s a t l e a s t t h r e e times t h a t measured a t t h e o t h e r
r a d i a l elements. Losses a s s o c i a t e d w i t h c a s i n g boundary l a y e r (RP 1 i s
0.123 i n . from o u t e r w a l l ) , t i p c l e a r a n c e flow, r a d i a l t r a n s p o r t of b l a d e
boundary l a y e r , and secondary flows probably d l supplement t h e p r o f i l e l o s s e s
t o some e x t e n t i n t h i s area. The v e r y low l o s s l e v e l s (u, < 0.02) observed a t
RP 4 (r/rt = 0.794) and RP 5 (r/rt = 0.728) f o r t h e l e v e l of b l a d e l o a d i n g
( D > 0.5) a s compared t o t h e l e v e l of l o s s c o e f f i c i e n t observed i n t h e t i p
r e g i o n f o r lower l e v e l s of b l a d e l o a d i n g l e a d t o s p e c u l a t i o n t h a t r a d i a l t r a n s -
p o r t of t h e low-energy b l a d e boundary l a y e r i s occurring even with t h e s e s h o r t
chord blades.

A method f r e q u e n t l y used t o e s t a b l i s h t h e p o s i t i v e and negative s t a l l

p o i n t s of a r o t o r (and t h u s d e f i n e t h e usable flow r a n g e s ) i s t o assume t h a t
t h e y occur when t h e l o s s i s some m u l t i p l e of t h e minimum-loss value. A t t h e

I-- Rotdr tip

' , ;eps '
Ne; posit'ive
suction head,
Hsv,
ftlsec
fll
133
,160

00
0 50
0

4
0 0 '
I

-8 -4 0 4
Incidence angle, i, deg
(c) Radial position 3; rotor hub-tip radius ratio, 0.850,
Figure 7. - Continued. Rotor-blade-element performance characteristics for noncavitating conditions.

13
 2
5
c
.-
Y

e
0

.-m
c
c

c
L
l.zF.8

.4
1
C 0
8
t Kx
Rotor i i p

I
speed,

;I
ftlsec
I l
Net positive
suction head,-
Hsv*
ft
133
l

.-
c
al
.-
U
c

$
al 3
.-
VI
L
U
m
I
0)

J
El 3
8 z- I -
VI
m
.E
u
j m
al
0
1
I E!
4 0 4
Incidence angle, it deg
(d) Radial position 4; rotor hub-tip radius ratio, 0.794.

Roto; tip ' Net bositive

I
:
speed, suction head,
Ut. Hsv,
Y ftlsec ft
r
a
L
o 113.2 133 B
n

!
8
5 0
0

.-mc
0
[

.-
c
c
m>
0

.-
S
al

.-
U
I
c

$ 3
I
1
al

.-
VI
L
U
m
I
a

.-
I
I
=I 3
O\
g c-
u c -e-
v)
m
0
.E
u
0
A -8 -4 0
1
4 -8 -4 0
Incidence angle, i, deg
(e) Radial position 5; rotor hub-tip radius ratio, 0.728.
Figure 7. - Concluded. Rotor-blade-element performance characteristics for noncavitating conditions.

14
design-flow o p e r a t i n g p o i n t , t h e t i p element l o s s c o e f f i c i e n t i s approximately
twice t h e minimum-loss value. Together w i t h t h e sharp i n c r e a s e i n l o s s , t h i s
i n d i c a t e s t h a t s e p a r a t i o n of t h e blade s u r f a c e boundary l a y e r h a s occurred or
i s imminent. Apparently, a t a e s i g n c o n d i t i o n s , then, t h e t i p 1 0 percent of t h e
blade height w a s operating i n a s t a l l e d condition. A l l o t h e r elements were
o p e r a t i n g very c l o s e t o t h e i r minimum-loss p o i n t s , however; hence, t h e o v e r a l l
e f f i c i e n c y remained high.

A t t h e lowest flow ( h i g h e s t incidence a n g l e ) a t which survey d a t a were

taken, l o s s e s show a sharp i n c r e a s e (approximately t h r e e t i m e s ) over t h e
minimum-loss value a t r a d i a l p o s i t i o n s 1 and 2 ( l o c a t e d a t 10 and 30 p e r c e n t of
t h e passage h e i g h t , r e s p e c t i v e l y ) . Thus, i n t h e o p e r a t i n g range from d e s i g n
-
Cp = 0.284 to = 0.271, t h e r a d i a l e x t e n t of b l a d e s t a l l c o n d i t i o n s i n c r e a s e d
from-a t l e a s t 10 t o 30 p e r c e n t of t h e blade h e i g h t . It w a s noted e a r l i e r t h a t
a t CP < 0.271 r i g v i b r a t i o n s became excessive and prolonged o p e r a t i o n was
deemed inadvisable. It seems l i k e l y t h a t complete blade s t a l l occurred a t
t h e s e lower flow (q < 0.271) conditions.

While blade-element c h a r a c t e r i s t i c curves such a s p r e s e n t e d i n f i g u r e 7

have been used p r i m a r i l y f o r e s t a b l i s h i n g design-point data, t h e y a l s o provide
t h e necessary v a l u e s of d e v i a t i o n angle and l o s s c o e f f i c i e n t for p r e d i c t i n g
off-design performance. A t p r e s e n t t h e i r u t i l i t y l i e s i n d i r e c t a p p l i c a t i o n of
t h e t r e n d s t o s i m i l a r b l a d e rows. With t h e a c q u i s i t i o n of a d d i t i o n a l d a t a t h e y
may a i d i n t h e formulation of d e t a i l e d off-design performance c a l c u l a t i o n pro-
cedure s.

Comparisons with c o r r e l a t i o n s of r e f e r e n c e 1. - A s p e c i f i c purpose of t h i s

i n v e s t i g a t i o n w a s t o consider t h e a p p l i c a b i l i t y of t h e d e s i g n system f o r a x i a l -
flow air-compressor r o t o r s p r e s e n t e d i n r e f e r e n c e 1 t o t h e d e s i g n of a x i a l - f l o w
pmps. An o p e r a t i n g c o n d i t i o n commonly s e l e c t e d a s t h e design p o i n t i s t h e
minimum-loss o p e r a t i n g p o i n t . For each b l a d e element minimum-loss l e v e l s and
t h e d i f f e r e n c e between t h e observed pump r o t o r minimum-loss i n c i d e i x e (and de-
v i a t i o n ) angle and a value c a l c u l a t e d from c o r r e l a t i o n of cascade d a t a ,
ip - iZ-D and 6p - 6 2 - ~ a r e compared with s i m i l a r v a l u e s recommended from
air-compressor r o t o r t e s t s i - i2-Dand 6c - 62-D. The following procedure
C
w a s followed:

(1)From f i g u r e 7 v a l u e s of minimum-loss c o e f f i c i e n t and t h e corresponding

incidence angle i d e v i a t i o n a n g l e 6p, and d i f f u s i o n f a c t o r s f o r each e l e -
P’
ment were s e l e c t e d .

( 2 ) Fluid-flow a n g l e s were computed by using t h e v a l u e s of (1)p l u s b l a d e

i n l e t and o u t l e t angles.

( 3 ) From flow a n g l e s and blade-element geometry { s o l i d i t y , maximum-

thickness-to-chord r a t i o , and camber a n g l e s ) r e f e r e n c e incidence and d e v i a t i o n
a n g l e s based on two-dimensional cascade c o r r e l a t i o n s (i2-D and 62-D, r e -
s p e c t i v e l y ) were computed from methods of r e f e r e n c e 1.

( 4 ) Comparisons of measured r o t o r performance parameters a t r e f e r e n c e con-

d i t i o n s w i t h t h e computed v a l u e s from ( 3 ) a r e p r e s e n t e d i n the form ip - i2-D,

15
 FjP - 62-D, and CO cos pz/2a. The observed v a l u e s f o r each element a r e shown
on t a b l e I1 t o g e t h e r with c o r r e c t i o n f a c t o r s f o r incidence and d e v i a t i o n
a n g l e s obtained from numerous a i r compressor t e s t s .

TAELE 11. - COMPAKISON OF MEASURED MINIMUM-LOSS PERFOFWINCE PAR/IMETERS

WITH THOSE COMFDTED FROM DESIGN RuL;ES OF REFERENCE 1

Radi- Approx- Minimuk-loss

a1 imate performance
1 Correction factors Loss co- D i f f u .
effi- sim
Lc - i2-D: cient, fac-
; c o s p; tor,
deg
20
D

-2.5 0.0159 3.441

p 2 1 30

90
0.01 o.015j
1.110.0051 7.11

131 0.007) 5.71

2.3

3.5

3.4
-2.0

-1.6

-1.0

-0.7
0.0060

0.0022

0.0012

0.0017
1.440

1.479

I. 511

1.575

While t h e d a t a p r e s e n t e d i n t a b l e I1 r e f e r o n l y to a minimum-loss d e s i g n
p o i n t , t h e y do provide s u f f i c i e n t evidence t h a t some e x t e n s i o n and p o s s i b l y
modification of c e r t a i n p a r t s of t h e design system of r e f e r e n c e 1 a r e neces-
s a r y f o r a c c u r a t e p r e d i c t i o n of r e f e r e n c e incidence and d e v i a t i o n a n g l e s f o r
a x i a l flow pumps. The performance r e s u l t s of a similar type rotor r e p o r t e d i n
r e f e r e n c e 3 l e d to t h e same conclusion. A more d e t a i l e d d i s c u s s i o n applying
t h e experimental results from t h i s r o t o r to an e v a l u a t i o n of t h e design system
follows i n t h e s e c t i o n Evaluation of Blade Design System.

I n f i g u r e 8 t h e l o s s - c o e f f i c i e n t parameters a t minimum-loss incidence

angle f o r two r o t o r s o p e r a t i n g i n water a r e compared with s i m i l a r r e s u l t s ob-
t a i n e d from s i n g l e - s t a g e a x i a l - f l o w air-compressor r o t o r s . The shaded a r e a
r e p r e s e n t s t h e r e g i o n i n which t i p l o s s parameters f e l l . The a d d i t i o n a l r o t o r
d a t a p l o t t e d on f i g u r e 8 w a s taken from r e f e r e n c e 3 where s i m i l a r comparisons
were made.

The l o s s parameter p l o t t e d i n f i g u r e 8 i s a s i m p l i f i e d form of t h e wake

momentum t h i c k n e s s developed iri r e f e r e n c e 7. T h i s t h e o r e t i c a l l o s s a n a l y s i s
( r e p o r t e d i n r e f . 7 ) e s t a b l i s h e s blade-wake momentum t h i c k n e s s as t h e primary
wake c h a r a c t e r i s t i c d e s c r i p t i v e of t h e t o t a l p r e s s u r e d e f e c t r e s u l t i n g from
boundary l a y e r flow around a b l a d e element and e s t a b l i s h e s r e l a t i o n s f o r e s -
t i m a t i n g t h i s b l a d e p r o f i l e l o s s . Thus, wake momentum t h i c k n e s s r e p r e s e n t s a
g e n e r a l i z e d l o s s parameter t h a t i s a f u n c t i o n only of i n d i v i d u a l blade wakes
and independent of t h e b l a d e row geometry ( s o l i d i t y and a i r a n g l e s ) . The e s -
tablishment of a g e n e r a l i z e d l o s s parameter i s f u r t h e r i n v e s t i g a t e d i n r e f e r -
ence 8 by an a n a l y s i s of experimental l o s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of low-speed a i r
cascade s e c t i o n s i n terms of wake momentum t h i c k n e s s and a blade v e l o c i t y d i f -
fusion factor. I n r e f e r e n c e 1 t h e s i m p l i f i e d wake momentum t h i c k n e s s expres-

16
 sion i s correlated with loss-
es measured i n t h e t h r e e -
dimensional environment of

---
height from s i n g l e - s t a g e compressor
.10 outer wall
rotors.
10
--m- 30
0
c! .08--*-- HI A specific explanation
-2 --A- 70 f o r t h e g e n e r a l l y lower lev-
3 - --b-
90 e l s of t h e wake momentum
13 Tailed symbols
z- .06- taken from ref. 3
t h i c k n e s s e x p r e s s i o n f o r pump
.-a?
.-a=u r o t o r s as compared t o a i r -
compressor r o t o r s i s not
8 r e a d i l y apparent. Blade-
* .04
A
B geometry f e a t u r e s (blade
,
shape camber, s o l i d i t y , as-
.02 pect r a t i o , blade thickness
t o chord r a t i o , e t c . ) a r e
I
s i m i l a r . Also, t h e l e v e l s
- /// of l o s s c o e f f i c i e n t G f o r
0 .I .2 a given l e v e l of b l a d e load-
ing (D-factor) a t the var-
i o u s blade elements a r e
c l o s e . ?"ne one s i g n i f i c a n t
d i f f e r e n c e i s t h e h i g h flow
a n g l e s of t h e pump r o t o r as compared t o t h o s e encountered i n t h e c o r r e l a t i o n
of the cascade and a i r compressor r o t o r d a t a . A t p r e s e n t , no g e n e r a l i z a t i o n
w i l l be attempted on t h e basis of t h e performance of t h i s l i m i t e d number of
r o t o r s o t h e r t h a n t o recommend c a u t i o n i n applying t h i s l o s s parameter t o
b l a d e s w i t h high o u t l e t b l a d e angles.

C a v i t a t i n g Performance

The type of r o t o r whose performance i s p r e s e n t e d h e r e i n i s o r d i n a r i l y not

expected t o o p e r a t e i n a n environment conducive t o c a v i t a t i o n . I t s h i g h hub-
t i p r a t i o and l e v e l of l o a d i n g a r e t y p i c a l of t h e type of r o t o r used i n t h e
high-pressure p o r t i o n of a m u l t i s t a g e a x i a l - f l o w pump. I n order t o know t h e
l e v e l of i n l e t head needed b e f o r e such a r o t o r can be used, however, a minimum
amount of c a v i t a t i o n performance w a s obtained and i s presented. Although a l l
t h e d a t a t a k e n a r e p r e s e n t e d , a d i s c u s s i o n of t h e c a v i t a t i n g performance i s
l i m i t e d t o a f e w s i g n i f i c a n t features.

Overall performance. - The o v e r a l l performance i s p r e s e n t e d i n figure 9

i n t e r m s of mass-averaged v a l u e s of h e a d - r i s e c o e f f i c i e n t 5,
efficiency T,
and flow c o e f f i c i e n t '5;. Noncavitating performance i s a l s o shown f o r compari.-
son.

me o v e r a l l performance i s d i s c u s s e d i n r e f e r e n c e 4, and t h e r e s u l t s are

summarized by t h e following:

(1)I n i t i a l e f f e c t s of c a v i t a t i o n on performance of t h i s r o t o r are f e l t

a t an Hsv of approximately 1 1 6 f e e t . The dropoff i n performance is observed
17
 only a t h i g h f l o w a t t h e s e i n l e t condi-
tions.

( 2 ) A t design-flow c o e f f i c i e n t ,
c a v i t a t i o n d i d n o t a f f e c t r o t o r head
rise u n t i l an H ,, < 89 f e e t w a s
reached.

( 3 ) Rotor e f f i c i e n c y 5 w a s de-
c r e a s e d from the n o n c a v i t a t i n g v a l u e s
I l l a t a l l i n l e t pressures below a n Hsv of
Net positive
suction head Ll.6 f e e t .
HS,
ft Blade-element performance. - Fig-
o >160 u r e 1 0 presents the radial distributions
a, 0 116 of flow and blade-element performance
f o r a n Hsv of 72.5 f e e t and t h r e e

bl\
0 89
A 72
i n l e t - f l o w c o e f f i c i e n t s covering t h e
\ range of operation. These flow condi-
t i o n s r e p r e s e n t s u c t i o n s p e c i f i c speeds
of 9009 (x = 0.148) t o 10,220
(k = 0.100) f o r i n l e t - f l o w c o e f f i c i e n t s
of 0.273 and 0.348, r e s p e c t i v e l y . To
observe t h e e f f e c t s of c a v i t a t i o n on
performance, t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n s of f i g -
ure 10 should be compared w i t h the
.40 curves of f i g u r e 6 ( n o n c a v i t a t i n g per-
formance). With the exception of c a v i -
t a t i o n number k t h e i n l e t - f l o w param-
Flow coefficient, q e t e r s a t t h e two modes of o p e r a t i o n are
Figure 9. -Overall performance for cavitating and non- s i m i l a r , i n d i c a t i n g t h a t i n l e t - f l o w ge-
cavitating conditions. ometry i s b e i n g maintained. Comparison
of t h e o u t l e t - f l o w c o n d i t i o n s and e l e -
ment performance parameters i n d i c a t e t h e
following g e n e r a l e f f e c t s and r a d i a l v a r i a t i o n s :

(1) Both t h e i d e a l and a c t u a l head c o e f f i c i e n t s a r e similar, b u t under

c a v i t a t i n g c o n d i t i o n s (Hsv = 72.5 f t ) t h e l e v e l of performance i s decreased.
-
( 2 ) L o s s - c o e f f i c i e n t p l o t s show t h e same h i g h v a l u e s of u) i n the t i p
r e g i o n compared t o o t h e r r a d i a l l o c a t i o n s . Also, t h e l e v e l of loss i n c r e a s e s
w i t h occurrence of c a v i t a t i o n .

( 3 ) The g e n e r a l t r e n d of d e v i a t i o n a n g l e i s t o i n c r e a s e as Hsv i s low-

ered ( c a v i t a t i o n increasing).

( 4 ) D i f f e r e n c e s i n r a d i a l e q u i l i b r i u m requirements a r e r e f l e c t e d i n t h e
r a d i a l d i s t r i b u t i o n s of flow c o e f f i c i e n t . R a d i a l e q u i l i b r i u m requirements
v a r y a s c a v i t a t i o n (or change i n mode of o p e r a t i o n ) a f f e c t t h e r a d i a l g r a d i e n t s
of t h e element performance parameters. A t t h e h i g h flows (v = 0.350) t h e
r a d i a l d i s t r i b u t i o n of a x i a l v e l o c i t y under c a v i t a t i n g (Hsv = 72.5 f t )

18
 41
II -
0
-0
0.35
.32

O1

-2

m 15
m
V
W V
W

.- d
-
W -
m
W
m 10
c
m E
V
W c
.-
0

.-Ec .-m>w
c
V

-
V
n 5
z
-
c

-
c
a
0 -
c .2

-4 .-
3
(u
c
3
c
E
.-
c
.P .?
.-
V
c
.-
V
c
u-
W
V
0

B W
.-
VI
L
m
m
c
W
-
m
-
V
W

-41
13
c
E
.-
.-
V
c a 3 i

8
VI
Y)
. *I
3
14
8
0
7 .8 .9 1.0 .a .9 1.0 .7 .8 .9 1.0
Rotor hub-tip radius ratio, r / r t

Figure 10. - Radial distributions of flow and blade-element performance parameters under-cavitating conditions. Rotor tangential velocity
at tip, 141.5 feet per second; net positive suction head, >160 feet.

19
 Net p o h v i
suction head,
I and n o n c a v i t a t i n g (Hsv > 1 6 0 f t )
flow are s u r p r i s i n g l y c l o s e . A t
al
lower flow c o e f f i c i e n t s it ap-
n ff p e a r s the c a v i t a t i o n e f f e c t s are
5
c
.-cm
0
c
.->
c
Y .4
>160
107 M more severe and comparisons
would n o t b e as f a v o r a b l e . I n
summary, c a v i t a t i o n would a f f e c t
G o 0 the l e v e l of performance of t h e
m
2
.-
c
.4 r o t o r and p r e s e n t matching prob-
3 n
l e m s i n a succeeding b l a d e row
.25 as w e l l .

100 F i g u r e 11 p r e s e n t s t h e p e r -
formance of t h e i n d i v i d u a l b l a d e
m elements by showing t h e v a r i a -
L E t i o n s of s e l e c t e d performance
.05 U
L
al
CL
parameters w i t h incidence angle.
Both n o n c a v i t a t i n g and c a v i -
t a t i n g d a t a are recorded.
13

The same g e n e r a l e f f e c t s

20-7
tl of c a v i t a t i o n on performance
noted p r e v i o u s l y (comparison of
f i g s . 6 and 1 0 ) a r e a g a i n e v i -
denced b y t h e p l o t s of f i g -
ure 11. One a d d i t i o n a l r e s u l t
i of c a v i t a t i o n i n d i c a t e d by t h e s e
curves i s t h a t it appeared t o
m
U
al d e c r e a s e t h e low-loss incidence
ro a n g l e range.

R a d i a l Equilibrium

The design of t h i s r o t o r
Incidence angle, i, deg assumed t h a t simple r a d i a l equi-
l i b r i u m ( n e g l e c t i n g e f f e c t s of
(a) Radial position 1; rotor hub-tip radius ratio, 0.972. r a d i a l a c c e l e r a t i o n s ) defined b y
Figure 11. - Blade-element performance characteristics for cavitating
and noncavitating conditions. Rotor tip speed, 141.5 feet per
second.

adequately e x p r e s s e s t h e r a d i a l g r a d i e n t of o u t l e t - f l o w conditions. F i g u r e 1 2 ,
which i s reproduced from r e f e r e n c e 4, compares measured a x i a l v e l o c i t y d i s t r i -
b u t i o n s w i t h t h o s e computed using t h e simple r a d i a l e q u i l i b r i u m expression.
The p l o t s b o t h v a l i d a t e t h e design assumption and i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e simple r a -
d i a l e q u i l i b r i u m e x p r e s s i o n would be a p p l i c a b l e under a l l flow c o n d i t i o n s , b o t h
c a v i t a t i n g and n o n c a v i t a t i n g , experienced i n t h e s e r o t o r t e s t s .

20
 I
- suction head,
1 Evaluation of Blade
HSVJ Design System

-.":'1
ft
>160
The design whose p e r f o r -
mance i s r e p o r t e d h e r e i n i s char-
-351 a c t e r i z e d by high i n l e t - r e l a t i v e -
c

.E 1 flow a n g l e s , r a d i a l l y c o n s t a n t
energy a d d i t i o n , and high hub-
0
u
-25 I P t i p r a d i u s r a t i o . I n t h e follow-
.-% I
+
i n g d i s c u s s i o n t h e performance
U
m
W
r e s u l t s from t h i s r o t o r and ex-
I m i 5 i

.05 1" p e r i e n c e s during t h e formalizing

of t h e d e s i g n a r e examined with
reference t o general application
of t h e b l a d e design system.

The u t i l i t y of a d e s i g n sys-
tem i s judged on i t s a b i l i t y t o
produce b l a d e rows t h a t provide
i1 (1)The d e s i r e d l e v e l of
head r i s e and a n a c c e p t a b l e e f -
f i c i e n c y a t t h e design flow

( 2 ) Adequate s t a b l e oper-
a t i n g flow margin on e i t h e r s i d e
of t h e d e s i g n flow based on con-
Incidence angle, i, deg s i d e r a t i o n s of s t a r t u p , a c c e l -
(b) Radial position 2; rotor hub-tip radius ratio, 0.906. e r a t i o n , and engine t h r o t t l e
a b i l i t y requirements
Figure 11. - Continued. Blade-element performance characteristics
for cavitating and noncavitating conditions. Rotor tip speed, 141.5
feet per second. This pump b l a d e design sys-
tem f o r a x i a l - f l o w s t a g e s i s
c l o s e l y p a t t e r n e d a f t e r t h e b l a d e d e s i g n system f o r a x i a l - f l o w a i r compressors
r e p o r t e d i n r e f e r e n c e 1. The equations t a k e t h e form

where i2-Dand 62-D a r e suggested d e s i g n v a l u e s of incidence and d e v i a t i o n

angles, r e s p e c t i v e l y , obtained from c o r r e l a t i o n s of two-dimensional low-speed
a i r - c a s c a d e performance d a t a . Rules f o r p r e d i c t i n g t h e s e v a l u e s as a f u n c t i o n
of i n l e t - f l o w angle, b l a d e s o l i d i t y , and maximum blade t h i c k n e s s a r e p r e s e n t e d
i n r e f e r e n c e 1. The ip - i2-Dand 6p - 62-D r e p r e s e n t adjustments, o r c o r -
r e c t i o n f a c t o r s , f o r t h e e f f e c t s of o p e r a t i n g i n a three-dimensional environ-
ment.

P o t e n t i a l d i f f i c u l t i e s i n applying t h i s system could a r i s e i n s e v e r a l

areas :
21
 _ _ ~ .
Net positive (1)I n g e n e r a l , pumps u t i -
suction head, l i z e higher inlet-relative-flow
a n g l e s t h a n a i r compressors. I n
ft
many pump designs, i n c l u d i n g t h e
0 >160 d e s i g n r e p o r t e d h e r e i n , a number
0 107
L
0
of elements of t h e PLXIQi n t h e
t i p r e g i o n w i l l have i n l e t an-
g l e s above t h e maximum v a l u e s
covered in-cascade i n v e s t i g a -
t i o n s ( p 1 < 70°). I n t h i s high
i n l e t a n g l e range, t h e d e s i g n
system c u r v e s have s t e e p and
100 changing slopes; consequently,
e x t r a p o l a t i o n i s u n c e r t a i n and
80 t h e accuracy of t h e c a l c u l a t e d
i2-Dv a l u e s i s a l s o unknown.
60
(2) It i s not known whether
t h e three-dimensional c o r r e c t i o n
f a c t o r s ic - i2-Dand
6, -
6 2 - ~e m p i r i c a l l y d e t e r -
mined f o r a i r compressors may be
applied directly.

Incidence angle, i, deg O p t i m u m design-point p e r -

(c) Radial position 3; rotor hub-tip radius ratio, 0.850. formance would be obtained i f
a l l t h e r o t o r elements were op-
Figure 11. - Continued. Blade-element performance characteristics
for cavitating and noncavitating conditions. Rotor tip speed, 141.5
e r a t i n g a t t h e i r minimum-loss
feet per second. incidence a n g l e s a t t h e d e s i g n
flow. Blade-element performance
i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h e measured r o t o r minimum-loss incidence a n g l e s were h i g h e r
t h a n t h e c a l c u l a t e d two-dimensional v a l u e s i 2 - D by 2.3' ( t i p ) t o 3.4' (hub).
Thus, ip - i2-Di n equation (2) should be p o s i t i v e . By c o n t r a s t , t h e s e c o r -
r e c t i o n f a c t o r s i, - i2-Drecommended f o r low i n l e t Mach number a i r -
compressor r o t o r s a r e negative ( s e e t a b l e 11).

I f it i s assumed t h a t t h e blade-element performance curves obtained from

t h i s r o t o r a r e somewhat t y p i c a l of t h o s e f o r t h i s t y p e of r o t o r design, a s i g -
n i f i c a n t f e a t u r e i s t h a t t h e minimum-loss incidence angle occurs very c l o s e t o
t h e element-s t a l l o p e r a t i n g incidence (considered h e r e i n a s e f f e c t i v e l y occur-
r i n g when cu = %,l). I f an i n c r e a s e i n s t a b l e o p e r a t i n g flow range between
design and b l a d e s t a l l i s d e s i r e d , t h e d e s i g n incidence would b e moved toward
t h e high flow s i d e of t h e minimum-loss incidence by using lower v a l u e s of
ip - iZ-Dt h a n t h o s e noted p r e v i o u s l y f o r minimum-loss p o i n t . The b l a d e -
element c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s i n d i c a t e t h a t only a s m a l l p e n a l t y i n increased l o s s
c o e f f i c i e n t would r e s u l t from l o c a t i n g t h e d e s i g n p o i n t a t an incidence angle
s l i g h t l y lower t h a n t h e minimum-loss incidence angle.

It i s t h u s i n d i c a t e d t h a t a p r e f e r a b l e design flow o p e r a t i n g p o i n t for a

22
 r o t o r row of t h i s type would
u t i l i z e an incidence angle equal
t o o r s l i g h t l y l a r g e r than t h e
c a l c - d a t e d two-dimensional value;
t h a t i s , ip - iZeD = 0 or
s l i g h t l y po s i t ive. Cons e quent l y ,
t h e c a l c u l a t e d two-dimensional
d e v i a t i o n a n g l e s 82-D a r e com-
pared with measured r o t o r devia-
t i o n a n g l e s i n t h e range of i n c i -
dence a n g l e s i 2 - D < i <i 2 - D + 2'.

I n t h e r e g i o n from 30 t o 7 0
p e r c e n t of passage h e i g h t from
t h e t i p (RP 2, 3, and 4), t h e
measured r o t o r d e v i a t i o n a n g l e s
are w i t h i n approximately 0.5' of
- 10 t h e c a l c u l a t e d two-dimensional
m
c
m values. Thus, over t h i s range
of b l a d e h e i g h t , t h e c a l c u l a t e d
c
two-dimensional values would
s u f f i c e , o r 6p - 6 2 - =
O b
~ 0. I n
Incidence angle, i, deg t h e b l a d e t i p r e g i o n t h e ob-
(d) Radial position 4; rotor hub-tip radius ratio, 0.794. served r o t o r d e v i a t i o n a n g l e s
were s l i g h t l y higher t h a n t h e
Figure 11. - Continued. Blade-element performance characteristics c a l c u l a t e d two-dimensional v a l -
for cavitating and noncavitating conditions. Rotor tip speed, 141.5
feet per second. ues, o r EP - 62-D = + 1.5. In
t h e b l a d e hub region t h e r e v e r s e
t r e n d w a s observed; t h a t i s , ?jP - g2--, = - 2 . 5 . A s a t i s f a c t o r ; explanation t o
g e n e r a l i z e t h e hub value r e s u l t i s not apparent o t h e r t h a n t o note t h a t it
occurs i n t h e r e g i o n where secondary flows and three-dimensional e f f e c t s a r e
p r e v a l e n t . The very low l o s s l e v e l measured i n t h e hub region and t h e s t e e p
g r a d i e n t of loss i n t h e b l a d e t i p r e g i o n a r e an i n d i c a t i o n t h a t secondary flows
a r e s i g n i f i c a n t . I n c o n t r a s t , t h e c o r r e c t i o n f a c t o r s determined f o r a x i a l - f l o w
a i r compressors 6, - 62-D showed s l i g h t l y negative v a l u e s i n t h e t i p r e g i o n ,
v a l u e s near zero a t t h e mean r a d i u s and s l i g h t l y p o s i t i v e values i n t h e hub
region.

A n important d e s i g n c o n s i d e r a t i o n i s t h e magnitude and r a d i a l d i s t r i b u t i o n

of l o s s . The a i r compressor d e s i g n methods presented i n r e f e r e n c e 1 suggest
t h e use of a g e n e r a l i z e d l o s s parameter cos p;/Zo. A s noted previously,
however, when t h e measured puurp r o t o r l o s s e s a r e expressed i n t h i s form, t h e y
do not c o r r e l a t e w i t h t h e air-compressor r e s u l t s . A t p r e s e n t t h i s disagreement
i s a t t r i b u t e d t o t h e e f f e c t s of t h e r e l a t i v e l y high f l u i d - i n l e t angle.

A comparison of t h e measured pump r o t o r l o s s c o e f f i c i e n t s and d i f f u s i o n

f a c t o r s a t minimum-loss incidence angle with cascade and air-compressor r e s u l t s
as r e p o r t e d i n r e f e r e n c e 5 i n d i c a t e s t h e following:

23
 (1)I n t h e t i p r e g i o n t h e
Net positive loss coefficient was signifi-
suction head.
V
W
01 cantly h i g h e r t h a n t h e value i n -
ro d i c a t e d from cascade results, b u t
-m
W- it d i d f a l l i n s i d e t h e band of
c
m
d a t a o b t a i n e d from air-compressor
.-c
0
rotor tests.
.-
c
m
5
al
n
( 2 ) A t t h e mean r a d i u s t h e
l o s s coefficient was slightly
lower t h a n t h e cascade v a l u e f o r
n
L
t h e same D-factor and among t h e
0
c
m
V
w t i-h... i I lower l e v e l of v a l u e s measured i n
c
air-compressor rotor t e s t s .
.-c
0

-
VI
5
'c
n ( 3 ) I n t h e hub r e g i o n t h e

4 loss c o e f f i c i e n t w a s s i g n i f i -
c a n t l y lower t h a n t h e cascade
v a l u e and among t h e lowest v a l u e s
measured i n air-compressor t e s t s .

The r a d i a l d i s t r i b u t i o n of
l o s s c o e f f i c i e n t s and t h e compar-
i s o n w i t h cascade v a l u e s f o r s i m -
i l a r D-factor l e v e l s of l o a d i n g
i n d i c a t e t h e presence and impor-
t a n c e of secondary flows. For
t h e p r e s e n t , secondary flow e f -
-8 -4 0 i 4 -8 -4 0 4 f e c t s w i l l be accommodated b y
Incidence angle, i, deg c o n s i d e r i n g t h e l o s s parameter as
(e) Radial position 5; rotor hub-tip radius ratio, 0.728. a f u n c t i o n of b l a d e l o a d i n g
Figure 11. - Concluded. Blade-element performance characteristics ( D - f a c t o r ) and r a d i a l l o c a t i o n .
for cavitating and noncavitating conditions. Rotor tip speed, 141.5 Some i n s i g h t i n t o t h e s e v e r i t y of
feet per second. secondary flows o c c u r r i n g i n a
d e s i g n may be obtained from a
simple a n a l y s i s ( n o t e s from Penn. S t a t e Univ. seminar, 1958) t h a t i n d i c a t e s
t h a t t h e q u a n t i t y of flow involved i n secondary motions i s

(1)D i r e c t l y p r o p o r t i o n a l to t h e square of the c i r c u m f e r e n t i a l p r o j e c t i o n

of a b l a d e

( 2 ) I n v e r s e l y p r o p o r t i o n a l to t h e angle between t h e i n l e t r e l a t i v e flow

(or b l a d e i n l e t camber l i n e ) and t h e c i r c w n f e r e n t i a l d i r e c t i o n

The use of t h e s e two parameters p r o v i d e s some q u a l i t a t i v e d i r e c t i o n to t h e s e -

l e c t i o n of a r a d i a l g r a d i e n t of l o s s .

The r e s u l t s o b t a i n e d i n t h i s i n v e s t i g a t i o n p o i n t o u t t h e n e c e s s i t y of ac-
c u r a t e l y d e f i n i n g t h e i n l e t v e l o c i t y diagrams f o r a d e s i g n w i t h t h i s l e v e l of
l o a d i n g and i n l e t angle. I n t h i s c a s e t h e o u t e r c a s i n g boundary l a y e r caused
th'e tip-element flow v e l o c i t y to f a l l below i t s a n t i c i p a t e d d e s i g n v a l u e and

24
 Average how A d a g e :otor
t h e b l a d e element t o o p e r a t e
a t a higher than design i n c i -
coeffi,cient, dence value. This r e s u l t e d
i n premature s t a l l i n g flow
conditions i n t h e t i p region
and w a s p a r t l y r e s p o n s i b l e
f o r t h e small flow margin be-
tween design flow and t h e
p o s i t i v e blade stall point.

Predicting t h e e f f e c t s
35
of c a s i n g boundary l a y e r on
t h e i n l e t flow d i s t r i b u t i o n
i s v e r y d i f f i c u l t , and i f t h e
boundary l a y e r v e l o c i t y gra-
d i e n t could be a c c u r a t e l y
p r e d i c t e d , it could not b e
incorporated i n t o t h e b l a d e
d e s i g n system because of t h e
p r o h i b i t i v e amounts of b l a d e
t w i s t involved. Perhaps t h e
x only c o r r e c t i o n t h a t can be
a

_I_ ;
applied i n t h i s area i s t o
a n t i c i p a t e t h e boundary l a y e r
45
0
- 55 e f f e c t s and allow f o r them i n
B
t h e b l a d e design method, p r i -
m a r i l y i n t h e use of lower
45 v a l u e s of ip - i2-D.Im-
proved methods of c a l c u l a t i n g
I .*a41 I .2841 1
45

35.7
.7
ti .8
.8 .9 1.0 .a
Rotor hub-tip radius ratio, rlrt
(a) Noncavitating condition.
.9

(b) Cavitating condition; net p s i -

1.0
r a d i a l g r a d i e n t s of i n l e t
v e l o c i t y due t o s t r e a m l i n e
c u r v a t u r e , however, should be
applied. Reference 8 d i s -
c u s s e s t h i s problem i n more
detail.

tive suction head, 72 feet. I n t h e design of t h i s

r o t o r as discussed i n r e f e r -
Figure 12. - Comparison of measured axial velocity distribution behind rotor
ence 4 it w a s noted t h a t mod-
with axial velocity distribution calculated by simple radial equilibrium.
ifications t o the calculated
b l a d e parameters i n t h e t i p r e g i o n were made. The n e c e s s i t y f o r t h i s becomes
c i e a r i n t h e following d i s c u s s i o n of t h e s e n s i t i v i t y of t h e b l a d e camber d e s i g n
equation a t high i n l e t - f l o w a n g l e s t o v a r i a t i o n s i n t h e c o r r e c t i o n f a c t o r s
ip - i2-D and €ip - 62-D. These l a t t e r f a c t o r s a r e t h e type of information
that must be obtained from r o t o r performance r e s u l t s of i n v e s t i g a t i o n s such as
r e p o r t e d h e r e i n and i n r e f e r e n c e 3 or from low-speed air-compressor r o t o r
t e s t s . To demonstrate t h i s s e n s i t i v i t y , t h e design v e l o c i t y diagrams and spec-
i f i e d b l a d e shape, s o l i d i t y , and b l a d e t h i c k n e s s v a l u e s f o r t h i s r o t o r were ap-
p l i e d t o t h e b l a d e camber d e s i g n e q u a t i o n f o r f o u r d i f f e r e n t s e t s of assump-
t i o n s . Calculated d e s i g n v a l u e s of b l a d e carriber angle, incidence, and devia-
t i o n a n g l e s f o r t h e t i p , mean, and hub b l a d e elements a r e l i s t e d i n t h e f o l -
lowing t a b l e :
25
 Three-dimensional Zamber Incidence Ieviatior Part 1l i s t s the
correction factors, %%le, angle angle> i n i t i a l v a l u e s of three-
'Po , i, 6, dimensional c o r r e c t i o n
deg deg deg
f a c t o r s used i n t h e de-
s i g n of t h i s r o t o r . A t
-11.6 10.7 -2.8 t h e t i p element, where
19.8 .5 7.8 the t i p inlet-relative-
27.6 1.2 9.3 flow a n g l e n e c e s s i t a t e d
0 0.3 3.0 1.4 extrapolating certain
curves t o c a l c u l a t e i2-13
~
1 28.0
33.7
-5.1
-3.2
10.4
10.9
and 62-D, negative val-
-1.75 -18.6 13.4 -7.0 ues of camber and devia-
-. 50 18.4 .9 6.9
t i o n a n g l e s and an unusu-
1.50 30. 7 .5 11.6
a l l y high value of d e s i g n
1.50 6.2 0.7 5.1 incidence a n g l e were ob-
-.50 25.2 -3.7 9.1 t a i n e d as shown. The
-2.50 26.6 -.6 6.5
tip-element b l a d e s e c t i o n
w a s a r b i t r a r i l y changed
as noted i n r e f e r e n c e 4.

P a r t 2 p r e s e n t s t h e b l a d e parameters c a l c u l a t e d f o r t h i s d e s i g n i f no c o r -
r e c t i o n s are made for p r e d i c t i o n of three-dimensional e f f e c t s .

P a r t 3 shows t h e b l a d e parameter v a l u e s when t h e d e v i a t i o n a n g l e c o r r e c -

tion sp - 82-1) as deduced from air-compressor t e s t s i s used; t h a t i s ,
6p - 62-D = 6, - 82-D

The 3O incidence a n g l e c o r r e c t i o n f a c t o r w a s used i n order t h a t comparisons

with t a b l e I ( s e e p. 3) v a l u e s could b e made.

P a r t 4 l i s t s t h e v a l u e s of ip - i2-Dand 8p - 82-1) t h a t would probably

be recommended f o r a p p l i c a t i o n i n t h e b l a d e d e s i g n e q u a t i o n f o r a r e d e s i g n of
t h i s r o t o r on t h e b a s i s of p r e s e n t information. The ip - iZ-D variation was
s e l e c t e d t o provide flow margin between t h e d e s i g n and p o s i t i v e blade s t a l l op-
e r a t i n g p o i n t s . I n p a r t 4 t h e b l a d e parameters a r e computed based on t h e ex-
i s t i n g v e l o c i t y diagram d e s i g n values. A t r u e r e d e s i g n would suggest c e r t a i n
changes i n t h e v e l o c i t y diagram d e s i g n t h a t i n t u r n would be r e f l e c t e d i n t h e
b l a d e design values.

The f a c t t h a t t h e c a l c u l a t i o n s g i v e n e g a t i v e camber and d e v i a t i o n a n g l e s

i n d i c a t e s t h e need f o r a c a r e f u l e v a l u a t i o n of t h e d e s i g n system f o r use a t
high i n l e t - f l o w angles. The combination of high i n l e t - f l o w angle, s m a l l r e -
quired f l u i d t u r n i n g angles, and minimum allowable b l a d e t h i c k n e s s e s found f o r
t h e t y p i c a l t i p element make t h i s r e g i o n of t h e b l a d e e s p e c i a l l y s e n s i t i v e .

Comparisons of t h e v a l u e s of p a r t s 1 t o 4 i l l u s t r a t e t h e s e n s i t i v i t y of
t h e b l a d e design e q u a t i o n s t o v a r i a t i o n s of t h e c o r r e c t i o n f a c t o r s f o r i n c i -
dence and d e v i a t i o n angle. They a l s o i n d i c a t e t h e need f o r p r e c i s e measure-

26
ments d u r i n g t e s t i n g and c a r e f u l d e f i n i t i o n s of r e f e r e n c e a n g l e s from d a t a
plots.

F i n a l l y , t h e performance c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h i s rotor t o g e t h e r with t h e

d a t a of r e f e r e n c e 6 i n d i c a t e t h a t a t high v a l u e s of b o t h i n l e t - f l o w angle and
loading small changes can result i n s i g n i f i c a n t v a r i a t i o n s i n b l a d e d e s i g n or
b l a d e performance parameters. Consequently, i n b l a d e rows of t h i s type, i f
acceptable l e v e l s of d e s i g n p o i n t p e r f o r m c e and b l a d e s t a l l margin a r e to be
obtained, c a r e f u l a t t e n t i o n should b e made to a l l d e t a i l s of t h e design.

SUMMARY OF RFSULTS
An axial-flow-pump rotor with a 0.7 h u b - t i p r a t i o and design D-factors of
0.43 and 0.70 a t t h e t i p and hub, r e s p e c t i v e l y , w a s t e s t e d i n water. The f o l -
lowing summarize t h e p r i n c i p a l results observed from t h e rotor b l a d e element
performance:

Under n o n c a v i t a t i n g c o n d i t i o n s

1. A t design flow a comparison of t h e b l a d e element performance with de-

s i g n v a l u e s i n d i c a t e s t h e following:

( a ) I n l e t axial v e l o c i t y w a s h i g h e r t h a n d e s i g n except i n t h e t i p r e -
gion, where it w a s lower t h a n d e s i g n (probably because of e f f e c t s of o u t e r
c a s i n g boundary l a y e r ) . T h i s f o r c e d t h e t i p element t o o p e r a t e very c l o s e
t o a b l a d e s t a l l condition.

( b ) Measured l o s s e s w e r e lower t h a n d e s i g n except i n t h e t i p region,

where t h e y were c o n s i d e r a b l y h i g h e r t h a n t h e p r e d i c t e d design values.

( c ) Excluding t h e t i p region, energy a d d i t i o n w a s lower t h a n design

b u t combined with t h e lower-than-design l o s s e s to produce a c l o s e - t o -
design head-rise coefficient. I n t h e t i p r e g i o n t h e energy a d d i t i o n w a s
h i g h e r than d e s i g n and produced a higher-than-design h e a d - r i s e c o e f f i c i e n t
( i n s p i t e of higher-than-design l o s s e s ) b u t at a lower-than-design e f f i -
ciency.

2. For t h i s s p e c i f i c r o t o r geometry and l e v e l of loading, a t y p i c a l l o s s -

c o e f f i c i e n t a g a i n s t incidence a n g l e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c showed t h e following:

( a ) Minimum l o s s , where defined, occurred over a very narrow flow

range.

( b ) Flow (or incidence angle) margin between minimum-loss o p e r a t i n g

c o n d i t i o n and p o s i t i v e s t a l l p o i n t ( d e f i n e d as p o i n t a t which t h e l o s s
c o e f f i c i e n t w a s twice t h e minimum value on t h e high incidence (low-flow)
s i d e of t h e minimum-loss o p e r a t i n g p o i n t ) w a s very small.

( c ) Gradual i n c r e a s e i n l o s s c o e f f i c i e n t as t h e flow w a s v a r i e d from

t h e minimum-loss value to h i g h e r flows (lower incidence a n g l e ) .

27
 3. A comparison of the measured results with those predicted from the de-
sign rules of reference l, and interpretation of these results indicate that

(a) Application of the design rules to designs with inlet-flow angles

outside the range covered by the two-dimensional air-cascade data used to
formulate the design procedure is dangerous. Additional cascade data at
the higher inlet-flow angles would be desirable.

(b)-The blade design equations are very sensitive to small angle

variations at high inlet-flow angles. This indicates the need for precise
measurements and careful interpretation of the data from investigations of
this ty-pe of pump rotor.

(c) With the type of loss coefficient - incidence angle characteris-

tic measured for this ty-pe blade, considerations of flow margin between
design and positive blade stall points indicate that the minimum-loss op-
erating condition may not be a desirable design point for many applica-
tions.

(d) Significant differences between reference blade deviation angles

obtained from two-dimensional cascade results and three-dimensional rotor
tests occurred only in hub and tip regions where loss levels indicated
secondary flow effects were significant.

Under cavitating conditions

1. At a r o t o r tip speed of 141.5 feet per second the effects of cavitation

on rotor performance are first noted at a net positive suction head of 116 feet.
This corresponds to an average cavitation nwiber of approximately 0.191.

2. Cavitation generally affects rotor performance in the following ways:

(a) Increases losses

(b) Decreases energy addition

(c) Decreases low-loss operating range

Lewis Research Center

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Cleveland, Ohio, June 23, 1964

28
 APPENDIX A

SYMBOLS

C b l a d e chord, i n .

D diffusion factor

g a c c e l e r a t i o n due t o g r a v i t y , 32.17 f t / s e c 2

H t o t a l head, f t

Hsv n e t p o s i t i v e s u c t i o n head, f t

c\H head r i s e , f t

h s t a t i c head, f t

h, vapor head, f t

i incidence a n g l e , deg

k c a v i t a t i o n number

N r o t a t i v e speed, rpm

Q f l o w r a t e , gal/min

r radius, in.

U rotor tangential velocity, f t / s e c

v f l u i d velocity, ft/sec

P flow a n g l e , angle between d i r e c t i o n of flow and axial d i r e c t i o n , deg

Y b l a d e s e t t i n g angle, angle between chord l i n e and axial d i r e c t i o n , deg

6 d e v i a t i o n angle, deg

rl efficiency, percent

K b l a d e angle, a n g l e between tangent t o b l a d e mean camber l i n e and a x i a l

d i r e c t i o n , deg

blade s o l i d i t y , c/s

flow c o e f f i c i e n t

b l a d e camber angle, K~ - K ~ deg

,

29
Jr head-rise coefficient
-
cu rotor relative total head-loss coefficient

Subscripts:

C parameter obtained from air-compressor stage investigations

h hub

i ideal

m measured

max maximum

P parameter obtained from pump-stage investigations

t tip

z axial direction

e tangential direction

2 -D parameter obtained from two-dimensional air-cascade investigation

1 measuring station at rotor inlet

2 measuring station at rotor outlet

Superscripts:
-
averaged value
I relative to rotor

30
 APPENDIX B

EQUATIONS

Blade Element Equations

I d e a l head r i s e :

Rotor r e l a t i v e t o t a l h e a d - l o s s c o e f f i c i e n t :

Blade d i f f u s i o n f a c t o r :

or, f o r rl = r2

Efficiency:

C a v i t a t i o n number:

Head-rise c o e f f i c i e n t :

31
Ideal head-rise coefficient:

Flow coefficient:

Incidence angle:

Deviation angle:

Overall and Averaged Parameter Equations

Mass-averaged total head:

Mass-averaged efficiency:

Mass-averaged head-rise coefficient:

32

~ .. .. ... .- - ..- ..... -. ... ... - .. ., .

Average inlet axial velocity:
- 144%

t,l h,l

Average inlet-flow coefficient:

-
....

Average blade cavitation number:

Net positive suction head:

Hsv = H1 - hv

33
 REFERENCES

1. Members of the Compressor and Turbine Research Division: Aerodynamic Design

of Axial-Flow Compressors, vol. 11. NACA RM E56B03a, 1956.

2. Crouse, James E. , Montgomery, John C., and Soltis, Richard F. : Investiga-

tion of the Performance of an Axial-Flow-Pump Stage Designed by the Blade-
Element-Theory - Design and Overall Performance. NASA TN D-591, 1961.

3. Crouse, James E., Soltis, Richard F., and Montgomery, John C.: Investiga-
tion of the Performance of an Axial-Flow-Pump Stage Designed by the
Blade-Element Theory - Blade-Element Data. NASA TN D-1109, 1961.

4. Crouse, James E., and Sandercock, Donald M.: Design and Overall Performance
of an Axial-Flow-Pump Rotor with a Blade Tip Diffusion Factor of 0.43.
NASA TN D-2295, 1964.

5. Lieblein, Seymour, Schwenk, Francis C., and Broderick, Robert L.: Diffusion
Factor for Estimating Losses and Limiting Blade Loadings in Axial-Flow-
Compressor Blade Elements. NACA RM E53D01, 1953.

6. Herrig, L. Joseph, Emery, James C., and Erwin, John R.: Systematic Two-
Dimensional Cascade Tests of NACA 65-Series Compressor Blades at Low
Speeds. NASA TN 3916, 1957.

r 7. Lieblein, Seymour, and Roudebush, William H. : Theoretical Loss Relations

for Low Speed Two-Dimensional-Cascade Flow. NACA TN-3662, 1956.

8. Lieblein, Seymour: Analysis of Experimental Low-Speed Loss and Stall Char-

acteristics of Two-Dimensional Compressor Blade Cascades. NACA RM
E57A28, 1957.

9. Lysen, J. C., and Serovy, G. K.: Estimation of the Velocity Distribution

at the Inlet of an Axial-Flow Turbomachine. Paper 63-WA 162, ASME, 1963.

34 NASA-Langley, 1964 E-1968

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