A Computational Study on B-Splines-Based Design Parameterization Strategy for Compressor Annulus for Throughflow Analysis

Abstract

In this paper, a B-spline-based design parameterization strategy used for preliminary axial compressor design stage is presented. This strategy is critically important for multi-objective optimization problems with contrasting objectives for discovering better compressor configurations. It helps in reducing computation time drastically along with computation costs. In this case, B-splines are used for smooth parameterization of compressor annulus hub and tip lines. The target is to minimize discrepancies between original annulus contour and fitted data. Annulus geometry is modified by perturbing fitted annulus splines at required curve segments while maintaining necessary continuity conditions. Effect of geometry modifications on different flow parameters impacting compressor performance is also studied with the help of throughflow analysis based on streamline curvature method. Conducted investigations compare aerodynamic characteristics of fitted and modified annulus design with respect to the reference design. Additionally, by use of normalization approaches, the present method can be useful to compressor configurations with different length, number of stages and annulus contour. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.