A Model for Stall and Surge in Low-Speed Contra-Rotating Fans

This paper reports on a theory for poststall transients in contra-rotating fans, which is developed from the basic Moore–Greitzer theory. A second-order hysteresis term is assumed for the fan pressure rise, which gives the theory more capabilities in predicting the fan instabilities. The effect of the rotational speed ratio of the two counter rotating rotors on the fan performance during the occurrence of surge and rotating stall are studied (the rotational speed of the front rotor is assumed to be kept constant whereas the speed of the rear rotor is variable). One of the new capabilities of the current model is the possibility of investigating the effect of the initial slope on the fan characteristic. Results reveal that unlike the conventional fans and compressors, in the current contra-rotating fan stall cannot be initiated from the negative slope portion of the fan pressure rise characteristic curve. One of the important advantages of the developed model is that it enables investigation of the effect of the rate of throttling on the instabilities. Results show that more the rotational speed of the rear rotor, the more robust to surge (caused by throttling) the fan is.