Experimental investigation of clocking effect in compressor with straight and bowed stator

Experimental investigation was done in a double stages low speed axial compressor with both straight and bowed stators. Overall performance and traverse flow field were measured in different work condition. The results show that the clocking effect weakens and the stall margin increases while the bowed stator is used. Although the total pressure ratio decreases about 0.1%, the efficiency raises about 1% with the reason of torque input decreasing (about 3%). At the design condition, there are two vortexes exist in stator passage. They are passage vortex at up side and scraping vortex near hub tip. These two vortexes in straight stator passage are bigger than in bowed stator passage. So they are influenced more obviously in straight stator passage than in bowed stator passage. And get more intensive clocking effect. At near chocking condition, these two vortexes enhance obviously in straight stator passage but a little in bowed stator passage. At near stall conditions, the serious separation makes the vortexes disappear.