A Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes Solver in a Turbomachinery Design System

The design of turbomachinery has been focusing on the improvement of the machine efficiency and the reduction of the design cost. This paper presents an integrated design system to create the machine geometry and to predict the machine performance at different levels of approximation, including one-dimensional design and analysis, quasi-three-dimensional-(blade-to-blade, throughflow) and full-three-dimensional-steady-state CFD analysis. One of the most important components, the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes solver, is described in detail. It originated from the Dawes solver with numerous enhancements. They include the use of the low speed pre-conditioned full Navier-Stokes equations, the addition of the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model and an improvement of wall functions related with the turbulence model. The latest upwind scheme, AUSM, has been implemented too. The Dawes code has been rewritten into a multi-block solver for O, C, and H grids. This paper provides some examples to evaluate the effect of grid topology on the machine performance prediction.