A Study of Boundary-Layer Characteristics of Turbomachine Blade Rows and Their Relation to Over-All Blade Loss

This paper presents the results of a number of investigations concerned with the boundary-layer characteristics of turbomachine blade rows and their relation to the over-all blade loss. It is demonstrated how the over-all blade loss can be obtained from the momentum boundary-layer thickness. The momentum boundary-layer thickness is in turn shown to be correlated by flow Reynolds number and total blade surface diffusion. By assuming Zweifel’s form of blade-loading diagram the total blade surface diffusion parameter can be determined as a function of blade solidity and reaction across the blade row. Thus, this type of loss analysis enables an approximate predetermination of the over-all blade row loss as derived from fundamental boundary-layer concepts. In addition, it shows the effect on over-all blade loss of varying such design features as solidity and reaction.