scholarly journals Direct numerical simulations of transition in a compressor cascade: the influence of free-stream turbulence

2010 ◽  
Vol 665 ◽  
pp. 57-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
TAMER A. ZAKI ◽  
JAN G. WISSINK ◽  
WOLFGANG RODI ◽  
PAUL A. DURBIN
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Transition To Turbulence ◽  
Surface Boundary ◽  
Bypass Transition ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Surface Boundary Layer ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence

The flow through a compressor passage without and with incoming free-stream grid turbulence is simulated. At moderate Reynolds number, laminar-to-turbulence transition can take place on both sides of the aerofoil, but proceeds in distinctly different manners. The direct numerical simulations (DNS) of this flow reveal the mechanics of breakdown to turbulence on both surfaces of the blade. The pressure surface boundary layer undergoes laminar separation in the absence of free-stream disturbances. When exposed to free-stream forcing, the boundary layer remains attached due to transition to turbulence upstream of the laminar separation point. Three types of breakdowns are observed; they combine characteristics of natural and bypass transition. In particular, instability waves, which trace back to discrete modes of the base flow, can be observed, but their development is not independent of the Klebanoff distortions that are caused by free-stream turbulent forcing. At a higher turbulence intensity, the transition mechanism shifts to a purely bypass scenario. Unlike the pressure side, the suction surface boundary layer separates independent of the free-stream condition, be it laminar or a moderate free-stream turbulence of intensityTu~ 3%. Upstream of the separation, the amplification of the Klebanoff distortions is suppressed in the favourable pressure gradient (FPG) region. This suppression is in agreement with simulations of constant pressure gradient boundary layers. FPG is normally stabilizing with respect to bypass transition to turbulence, but is, thereby, unfavourable with respect to separation. Downstream of the FPG section, a strong adverse pressure gradient (APG) on the suction surface of the blade causes the laminar boundary layer to separate. The separation surface is modulated in the instantaneous fields of the Klebanoff distortion inside the shear layer, which consists of forward and backward jet-like perturbations. Separation is followed by breakdown to turbulence and reattachment. As the free-stream turbulence intensity is increased,Tu~ 6.5%, transitional turbulent patches are initiated, and interact with the downstream separated flow, causing local attachment. The calming effect, or delayed re-establishment of the boundary layer separation, is observed in the wake of the turbulent events.

Numerical investigation of the role of free-stream turbulence in boundary-layer separation

2016 ◽  
Vol 801 ◽  
pp. 289-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Balzer ◽  
H. F. Fasel
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Hydrodynamic Instability ◽  
Low Reynolds Number ◽  
Transition To Turbulence ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Low Reynolds

The aerodynamic performance of lifting surfaces operating at low Reynolds number conditions is impaired by laminar separation. In most cases, transition to turbulence occurs in the separated shear layer as a result of a series of strong hydrodynamic instability mechanisms. Although the understanding of these mechanisms has been significantly advanced over the past decades, key questions remain unanswered about the influence of external factors such as free-stream turbulence (FST) and others on transition and separation. The present study is driven by the need for more accurate predictions of separation and transition phenomena in ‘real world’ applications, where elevated levels of FST can play a significant role (e.g. turbomachinery). Numerical investigations have become an integral part in the effort to enhance our understanding of the intricate interactions between separation and transition. Due to the development of advanced numerical methods and the increase in the performance of supercomputers with parallel architecture, it has become feasible for low Reynolds number application ($O(10^{5})$) to carry out direct numerical simulations (DNS) such that all relevant spatial and temporal scales are resolved without the use of turbulence modelling. Because the employed high-order accurate DNS are characterized by very low levels of background noise, they lend themselves to transition research where the amplification of small disturbances, sometimes even growing from numerical round-off, can be examined in great detail. When comparing results from DNS and experiment, however, it is beneficial, if not necessary, to increase the background disturbance levels in the DNS to levels that are typical for the experiment. For the current work, a numerical model that emulates a realistic free-stream turbulent environment was adapted and implemented into an existing Navier–Stokes code based on a vorticity–velocity formulation. The role FST plays in the transition process was then investigated for a laminar separation bubble forming on a flat plate. FST was shown to cause the formation of the well-known Klebanoff mode that is represented by streamwise-elongated streaks inside the boundary layer. Increasing the FST levels led to accelerated transition, a reduction in bubble size and better agreement with the experiments. Moreover, the stage of linear disturbance growth due to the inviscid shear-layer instability was found to not be ‘bypassed’.

The Influence of Large-Scale, High-Intensity Turbulence on Vane Aerodynamic Losses, Wake Growth, and the Exit Turbulence Parameters

1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. E. Ames ◽  
M. W. Plesniak
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Turbulent Shear ◽  
Surface Boundary ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Eddy Diffusivities

An experimental research program was undertaken to examine the influence of large-scale high-intensity turbulence on vane exit losses, wake growth, and exit turbulence characteristics. The experiment was conducted in a four-vane linear cascade at an exit Reynolds number of 800,000 based on chord length and an exit Mach number of 0.27. Exit measurements were made for four inlet turbulence conditions including a low-turbulence case (Tu ≈ 1 percent), a grid-generated turbulence case (Tu ≈ 7.5. percent) and two levels of large-scale turbulence generated with a mock combustor (Tu ≈ 12 and 8 percent). Exit total pressure surveys were taken at two locations to quantify total pressure losses. The suction surface boundary layer was also traversed to determine losses due to boundary layer growth. Losses occurred in the core of the flow for the elevated turbulence cases. The elevated free-stream turbulence was found to have a significant effect on wake growth. Generally, the wakes subjected to elevated free-stream turbulence were broader and had smaller peak velocity deficits. Reynolds stress profiles exhibited asymmetry in peak amplitudes about the wake centerline, which are attributable to differences in the evolution of the boundary layers on the pressure and suction surfaces of the vanes. The overall level of turbulence and dissipation inside the wakes and in the free stream was determined to document the rotor inlet boundary conditions. This is useful information for assessing rotor heat transfer and aerodynamics. Eddy diffusivities and mixing lengths were estimated using X-wire measurements of turbulent shear stress. The free-stream turbulence was found to strongly affect eddy diffusivities, and thus wake mixing. At the last measuring position, the average eddy diffusivity in the wake of the high-turbulence close combustor configuration (Tu ≈ 12) was three times that of the low turbulence wake.

The Influence of Large Scale, High Intensity Turbulence on Vane Aerodynamic Losses, Wake Growth, and the Exit Turbulence Parameters

1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Forrest E. Ames ◽  
Michael W. Plesniak
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Turbulent Shear ◽  
Surface Boundary ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Eddy Diffusivities

An experimental research program was undertaken to examine the influence of large-scale high, intensity turbulence on vane exit losses, wake growth, and exit turbulence characteristics. The experiment was conducted in a four vane linear cascade at an exit Reynolds number of 800, 000 based on chord length and an exit Mach number of 0.27. Exit measurements were made for four inlet turbulence conditions including a low turbulence case (Tu ≈ 1%), a grid-generated turbulence case (Tu ≈ 7.5%), and two levels of large-scale turbulence generated with a mock combustor (Tu ≈ 12% & Tu ≈ 8%). Exit total pressure surveys were taken at two locations to quantify total pressure losses. The suction surface boundary layer was also traversed to determine losses due boundary layer growth. Losses were also found in the core of the flow for the elevated turbulence cases. The elevated free stream turbulence was found to have a significant effect on wake growth. Generally, the wakes subjected to elevated free stream turbulence were broader and had smaller peak velocity deficits. Reynolds stress profiles exhibited asymmetry in peak amplitudes about the wake centerline, which are attributable to differences in the evolution of the boundary layers on the pressure and suction surfaces of the vanes. The overall level of turbulence and dissipation inside the wakes and in the free stream was determined to document the rotor inlet boundary conditions. This is useful information for assessing rotor heat transfer and aerodynamics. Eddy diffusivities and mixing lengths were estimated using X-wire measurements of turbulent shear stress. The free stream turbulence was found to strongly affect eddy diffusivities, and thus wake mixing. At the last measuring position, the average eddy diffusivity in the wake of the high turbulence close combustor configuration (Tu ≈ 12) was three times that of the low turbulence wake.

Numerical Investigation of Three-Dimensional Separation in an Axial Flow Compressor: The Influence of Free-Stream Turbulence Intensity and Endwall Boundary Layer State

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley D. Scillitoe ◽  
Paul G. Tucker ◽  
Paolo Adami
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Surface Boundary ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Corner Separation ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence

Regions of three-dimensional separations are an inherent flow feature of the suction surface - endwall corner in axial compressors. These corner separations can cause a significant total pressure loss and reduce the compressor’s efficiency. This paper uses wall-resolved LES to investigate the loss sources in a corner separation, and examines the influence of the inflow turbulence on these sources. Different subgrid scale (SGS) models are tested and the choice of model is found to be important. The σ SGS model, which performed well, is then used to perform LES of a compressor endwall flow. The time-averaged data is in good agreement with measurements. The viscous and turbulent dissipation are used to highlight the sources of loss, with the latter being dominant. The key loss sources are seen to be the 2D laminar separation bubble and trailing edge wake, and the 3D flow region near the endwall. Increasing the free-stream turbulence intensity (FST) changes the suction surface boundary layer transition mode from separation induced to bypass. However, it doesn’t significantly alter the transition location and therefore the corner separation size. Additionally, the FST doesn’t noticeably interact with the corner separation itself, meaning that in this case the corner separation is relatively insensitive to the FST. The endwall boundary layer state is found to be significant. A laminar endwall boundary layer separates much earlier leading to a larger passage vortex. This significantly alters the endwall flow and loss. Hence, the need for accurate boundary measurements is clear.

scholarly journals The effect of a low-viscosity near-wall film on bypass transition in boundary layers

2015 ◽  
Vol 772 ◽  
pp. 330-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seo Yoon Jung ◽  
Tamer A. Zaki
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Transition To Turbulence ◽  
Bypass Transition ◽  
Fluid Interface ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Wall Film ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Two Fluid

Bypass transition in a two-fluid boundary layer is examined using direct numerical simulations (DNSs). A less-viscous wall film is considered and the impact on transition location is evaluated at two different viscosity ratios and free-stream turbulence intensities. The less-viscous wall film absorbs the mean shear from the outer stream, weakens the lift-up mechanism, and alters the disturbance field inside the boundary layer. These effects all favour a delay in the onset of bypass transition. However, the viscosity and mean-shear discontinuities across the two-fluid interface introduce a new mechanism for the generation of wall-normal vorticity in the boundary layer, and can therefore promote transition to turbulence. Conditionally averaged statistics and streak tracking techniques are adopted in order to examine the impact of the wall film on the bypass transition process. It is shown that the weaker amplification of the streaks in the outer fluid can delay breakdown to turbulence, despite the additional disturbance generation at the two-fluid interface. The efficacy of the wall film in delaying transition is demonstrated at moderate level of free-stream turbulence intensity, but is reduced as the turbulence intensity is increased.

Numerical investigation of transition in a boundary layer subjected to favourable and adverse streamwise pressure gradients and elevated free stream turbulence

2015 ◽  
Vol 781 ◽  
pp. 52-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua R. Brinkerhoff ◽  
Metin I. Yaras
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Large Strain ◽  
Adverse Pressure Gradient ◽  
Secondary Instability ◽  
Transition To Turbulence ◽  
Pressure Gradients ◽  
Turbulent Spot ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence

Laminar-to-turbulent transition of a boundary layer subjected to streamwise pressure gradients and elevated free stream turbulence is computed through direct numerical simulation. The streamwise pressure distribution and elevated free stream turbulence levels mimic the conditions present on the suction side of highly-cambered airfoils. Longitudinal streamwise streaks form in the laminar boundary layer through the selective inclusion of low-frequency disturbances from the free stream turbulence. The spanwise spacing normalized by local inner variables indicates stabilization of the streaks occurs by the favourable pressure gradient and prevents the development of secondary streak instability modes until downstream of the suction peak. Two distinct processes are found to trigger transition to turbulence in the adverse pressure gradient region of the flow. One involves the development of varicose secondary instability of individual low-speed streaks that results in their breakdown and the formation and growth of discrete turbulent spots. The other involves a rapid amplification of free stream disturbances in the inflectional boundary layer in the adverse pressure gradient region that results in a largely homogeneous breakdown to turbulence across the span. The effect of high-frequency free stream disturbances on the streak secondary instability and on the nonlinear processes within the growing turbulent spot are analysed through the inviscid transport of instantaneous vorticity. The results suggest that free stream turbulence contributes to the growth of the turbulent spot by generating large strain rates that activate vortex-stretching and tilting processes within the spot.

scholarly journals An Extended Version of an Algebraic Intermittency Model for Prediction of Separation-Induced Transition at Elevated Free-Stream Turbulence Level

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Slawomir Kubacki ◽  
Daniele Simoni ◽  
Davide Lengani ◽  
Erik Dick
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Adverse Pressure Gradient ◽  
Bypass Transition ◽  
Turbulence Level ◽  
Boundary Layer Flows ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Eddy Simulation ◽  
Layer Flow

An algebraic intermittency model for boundary layer flow transition from laminar to turbulent state, is extended using an experimental data base on boundary layer flows with various transition types and results by large eddy simulation of transition in a separated boundary layer. The originating algebraic transition model functions well for bypass transition in an attached boundary layer under a moderately high or elevated free-stream turbulence level, and for transition by Kelvin–Helmholtz instability in a separated boundary layer under a low free-stream turbulence level. It also functions well for transition in a separated layer, caused by a very strong adverse pressure gradient under a moderately high or elevated free-stream turbulence level. It is not accurate for transition in a separated layer under a moderately strong adverse pressure gradient, in the presence of a moderately high or elevated free-stream turbulence level. The extension repairs this deficiency. Therefore, a sensor function for detection of the front part of a separated boundary layer activates two terms that express the effect of free-stream turbulence on the breakdown of a separated layer, without changing the functioning of the model in other flow regions. The sensor and the breakdown terms use only local variables.

Effects of Reynolds Number and Free-Stream Turbulence on Boundary Layer Transition in a Compressor Cascade

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heinz-Adolf Schreiber ◽  
Wolfgang Steinert ◽  
Bernhard Küsters
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Bypass Transition ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
High Reynolds Numbers ◽  
High Turbulence ◽  
High Reynolds

An experimental and analytical study has been performed on the effect of Reynolds number and free-stream turbulence on boundary layer transition location on the suction surface of a controlled diffusion airfoil (CDA). The experiments were conducted in a rectilinear cascade facility at Reynolds numbers between 0.7 and 3.0×106 and turbulence intensities from about 0.7 to 4%. An oil streak technique and liquid crystal coatings were used to visualize the boundary layer state. For small turbulence levels and all Reynolds numbers tested the accelerated front portion of the blade is laminar and transition occurs within a laminar separation bubble shortly after the maximum velocity near 35–40% of chord. For high turbulence levels (Tu > 3%) and high Reynolds numbers transition propagates upstream into the accelerated front portion of the CDA blade. For those conditions, the sensitivity to surface roughness increases considerably and at Tu = 4% bypass transition is observed near 7–10% of chord. Experimental results are compared to theoretical predictions using the transition model which is implemented in the MISES code of Youngren and Drela. Overall the results indicate that early bypass transition at high turbulence levels must alter the profile velocity distribution for compressor blades that are designed and optimized for high Reynolds numbers.

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