Rossby waves and associated transient rotating stall vortices in radial and axial turbocompressors

The analogy developed by Haupt et al. (1987) and Chen et al. (1987 and 1988) between rotating stall flow in radial turbocompressors and the midlatitude wind system in the earth atmosphere is extended to axial compressors, where Rossby waves and their associated circular Karman vortex streets are again found to be the dominant factors. The theoretical basis of the analogy is explored; the derivation of the governing equations is outlined; and numerical results are presented in extensive graphs and compared with selected experimental data. Good agreement is demonstrated, especially with respect to the delay velocity of the Karman vortex relative to the flow; i.e., the pattern velocity of the stall cell as observed in the absolute reference frame.