Calculation of 3-dimensional choking mass flow in turbomachinery with 2-dimensional flow models

An approach is considered for obtaining an approximate flow solution in the case of a cross-sectional flow surface within a guided channel, taking into account a pair of typical turbine blades with three-dimensional orthogonal surfaces across the flow passage, the calculation of the mass flow across the throat in the case of a 2-D passage with curved walls, and the determination of the choking mass flow. It is pointed out that the choking solution for a three-dimensional guided passage in a blade row can be obtained in a very similar manner by satisfying momentum equations for the blade-to-blade and the hub-to-tip direction. A considered example involves the calculation of the choking mass flow for a centrifugal compressor impeller in an automotive application.