Comparing N3-60 cascade exit angles obtained from tunnel measurements and numerical simulations

Abstract

The article compares the results of the measurements performed in the aerodynamic tunnel owned by the Czestochowa University of Technology and the numerical simulation done using the code FLUENT for a plane cascade of N3-60 profiles. The comparison study aims at assessing differences between the exit angles measured experimentally and those obtained from numerical calculations. Variable parameters in the measurements and the calculations were the relative pitch and the profile stagger angle. The measurements were performed in the flow of air. The same medium and having the same inlet parameters was assumed in the calculations. The calculations were performed in two dimensions for the compressible flow. The k-ε RNG turbulence model was used to complete the equation system. Comparing the measured and calculated results provides opportunities for assessing the range of differences between the experiment and the simulation. The obtained results and formulated conclusions will find the application not only in the power industry, but also in the shipbuilding industry for analysing the operation of steam and gas turbines used as main and auxiliary propulsion systems on both merchant vessels and battle ships.