Volumetric entropy generation rate associated with tip clearance flow in linear cascade

Abstract The tip clearance flow structure and its corresponding entropy generation rate of a linear cascade with 1.85mm radial tip clearance operating under three different incidence angle are investigated. The incidence angle influences the tip leakage vortex position as well as the size of the tip leakage vortex. Larger incidence angle results in larger tip leakage vortex and pushes the tip leakage vortex further away from the suction side. The entropy generation rate related to the tip clearance flow structure is calculated and it is confirmed that tip clearance flow is the main major source of aerodynamic loss in linear cascade. Larger incidence angle leading to higher entropy generation rate. Results also show that it’s not the core region of tip leakage vortex but the edge vortex and shear layer of the tip clearance flow which has the highest entropy generation rate. When operating under an incidence angle of 4°, there exist an extra high entropy generation rate region in main flow. It is found that the compression and expansion of fluid due to the existence of tip clearance vortex was the main reason for this extra high entropy generation.