The Transition Mechanism of Highly Loaded Low-Pressure Turbine Blades

2004 ◽  
Vol 126 (4) ◽  
pp. 536-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Stieger ◽  
H. P. Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Transition Mechanism ◽  
Separated Shear Layer ◽  
Lp Turbine ◽  
Highly Loaded

A detailed experimental investigation was conducted into the interaction of a convected wake and a separation bubble on the rear suction surface of a highly loaded low-pressure (LP) turbine blade. Boundary layer measurements, made with 2D LDA, revealed a new transition mechanism resulting from this interaction. Prior to the arrival of the wake, the boundary layer profiles in the separation region are inflexional. The perturbation of the separated shear layer caused by the convecting wake causes an inviscid Kelvin-Helmholtz rollup of the shear layer. This results in the breakdown of the laminar shear layer and a rapid wake-induced transition in the separated shear layer.

The Transition Mechanism of Highly-Loaded LP Turbine Blades

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Stieger ◽  
H. P. Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Transition Mechanism ◽  
Separated Shear Layer ◽  
Lp Turbine ◽  
Laminar Shear ◽  
Highly Loaded

A detailed experimental investigation was conducted into the interaction of a convected wake and a separation bubble on the rear suction surface of a highly loaded low-pressure (LP) turbine blade. Boundary layer measurements, made with 2D LDA, revealed a new transition mechanism resulting from this interaction. Prior to the arrival of the wake, the boundary layer profiles in the separation region are inflexional. The perturbation of the separated shear layer caused by the convecting wake causes an inviscid Kelvin-Helmholtz rollup of the shear layer. This results in the breakdown of the laminar shear layer and a rapid wake-induced transition in the separated shear layer.

Loss reduction on ultra high lift low-pressure turbine blades using selective roughness and wake unsteadiness

2007 ◽  
Vol 111 (1118) ◽  
pp. 257-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Howell ◽  
K. M. Roman
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Steady Flow ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Surface Boundary ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Profile Losses ◽  
Lp Turbine

This paper describes how it is possible to reduce the profile losses on ultra high lift low pressure (LP) turbine blade profiles with the application of selected surface roughness and wake unsteadiness. Over the past several years, an understanding of wake interactions with the suction surface boundary layer on LP turbines has allowed the design of blades with ever increasing levels of lift. Under steady flow conditions, ultra high lift profiles would have large (and possibly open) separation bubbles present on the suction side which result from the very high diffusion levels. The separation bubble losses produced by it are reduced when unsteady wake flows are present. However, LP turbine blades have now reached a level of loading and diffusion where profile losses can no longer be controlled by wake unsteadiness alone. The ultra high lift profiles investigated here were created by attaching a flap to the trailing edge of another blade in a linear cascade — the so called flap-test technique. The experimental set-up used in this investigation allows for the simulation of upstream wakes by using a moving bar system. Hotwire and hotfilm measurements were used to obtain information about the boundary-layer state on the suction surface of the blade as it evolved in time. Measurements were taken at a Reynolds numbers ranging between 100,000 and 210,000. Two types of ultra high lift profile were investigated; ultra high lift and extended ultra high lift, where the latter has 25% greater back surface diffusion as well as a 12% increase in lift compared to the former. Results revealed that distributed roughness reduced the size of the separation bubble with steady flow. When wakes were present, the distributed roughness amplified disturbances in the boundary layer allowing for more rapid wake induced transition to take place, which tended to eliminate the separation bubble under the wake. The extended ultra high lift profile generated only slightly higher losses than the original ultra high lift profile, but more importantly it generated 12% greater lift.

Wake-Induced Transitional Flow Over a Highly-Loaded LP Turbine Blade Through Large-Eddy Simulation

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Sarkar
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Transition Mechanism ◽  
Large Eddy ◽  
Coherent Vortices ◽  
Lp Turbine ◽  
Wake Passing

An attempt is made to describe the physical mechanism of transition of an inflexional boundary layer over the suction surface of a highly cambered low-pressure (LP) turbine blade influenced by the periodic passing wakes. Large-eddy simulations (LES) of wake passing over the T106 profile for a Reynolds number of 1.6×105 (based on the chord and exit velocity) are performed using wake data extracted from precursor simulations of cylinder replacing a moving bar in front of the cascade. The three-dimensional, time-dependent, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in fully covariant form are solved using a symmetry-preserving finite difference scheme of second-order spatial and temporal accuracy. The present LES results are compared with experiments and DNS. The operating condition of a high-lift LP turbine blade leads to the formation of a separation bubble on the suction side. The interactions of incoming wake with this separation bubble complicate the transition process. Enhanced receptivity of inflexional boundary layer causes amplification of the perturbations produced by the passing wake leading to the formation of coherent vortices within the boundary layer. The transition mechanism during the wake-induced path is highly influenced by the convection and breakdown of these coherent vortices. Streamwise evolution of turbulent kinetic energy and production illustrates that these vortices play an important role in generation of turbulence and thus to decide the transitional length, which becomes time-dependent. LES results resolve a multimoded transition on the suction surface and the calmed region. The calmed region is nothing but an attached flow with low production as the boundary layer tends to relax after wake passing; the level of turbulent intensity suggests that the boundary layer is in a state of transition rather than laminarized.

The Effect of Acoustic Excitation on Boundary Layer Separation of a Highly Loaded LPT Blade

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Bernardini ◽  
Stuart Benton ◽  
Jeffrey P. Bons
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Active Flow Control ◽  
Excitation Frequency ◽  
Acoustic Excitation ◽  
Intensity Level ◽  
Inlet Section ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Highly Loaded

An experimental investigation of the effect of acoustic excitation on the boundary layer development of a highly loaded low-pressure turbine blade at low-Reynolds number is investigated. The aim of this work is to study the effect of excitation at select frequencies on separation which could give indications about active flow control exploitation. The front-loaded L2F blade is tested in a low-speed linear cascade. The uncontrolled flow presents a separation bubble on the suction surface at Reynolds numbers below 40,000. For these conditions, the instability of the shear layer is documented using hot-wire anemometry. A loudspeaker upstream of the cascade is directed towards the passage inlet section. A parametric study on the effect of amplitude and frequency is carried out. The effect of the excitation frequency is observed to delay separation for a range of frequencies. However, the control authority of sound is found to be most effective at the fundamental frequency of the shear layer. The amplitude of perturbation is significant in the outcome of control until a threshold value is reached. PIV measurements allow a deeper understanding of the mechanisms leading to the reduction of separation. Data has been acquired with a low inlet turbulence level (<1%) in order to provide a cleaner environment which magnifies the effects of the excitation frequency, and with an increased turbulence intensity level of 3% which is representative of more typical engine values. Integrated wake loss values are also presented to evaluate the effect on blade performance.

The Effect of Acoustic Excitation on Boundary Layer Separation of a Highly Loaded LPT Blade

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Bernardini ◽  
Stuart I. Benton ◽  
Jeffrey P. Bons
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Active Flow Control ◽  
Excitation Frequency ◽  
Acoustic Excitation ◽  
Intensity Level ◽  
Inlet Section ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Highly Loaded

An experimental investigation of the effect of acoustic excitation on the boundary layer development of a highly loaded low-pressure turbine blade at low-Reynolds number is investigated. The aim of this work is to study the effect of excitation at select frequencies on separation which could give indications about active flow control exploitation. The front-loaded L2F blade is tested in a low-speed linear cascade. The uncontrolled flow presents a separation bubble on the suction surface at Reynolds numbers below 40,000. For these conditions, the instability of the shear layer is documented using hot-wire anemometry. A loudspeaker upstream of the cascade is directed towards the passage inlet section. A parametric study on the effect of amplitude and frequency is carried out. The effect of the excitation frequency is observed to delay separation for a range of frequencies. However, the control authority of sound is found to be most effective at the fundamental frequency of the shear layer. The amplitude of perturbation is significant in the outcome of control until a threshold value is reached. PIV measurements allow a deeper understanding of the mechanisms leading to the reduction of separation. Data has been acquired with a low inlet turbulence level (<1%) in order to provide a cleaner environment which magnifies the effects of the excitation frequency, and with an increased turbulence intensity level of 3% which is representative of more typical engine values. Integrated wake loss values are also presented to evaluate the effect on blade performance.

Experimental and Computational Investigations of Separation and Transition on a Highly Loaded Low-Pressure Turbine Airfoil: Part 2 — High Freestream Turbulence Intensity

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph J. Volino ◽  
Olga Kartuzova ◽  
Mounir B. Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Shear Stress ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Transition Model ◽  
Freestream Turbulence ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Separated Shear Layer

Boundary layer separation, transition and reattachment have been studied on a very high lift, low-pressure turbine airfoil. Experiments were done under high (4%) freestream turbulence conditions on a linear cascade in a low speed wind tunnel. Pressure surveys on the airfoil surface and downstream total pressure loss surveys were documented. Velocity profiles were acquired in the suction side boundary layer at several streamwise locations using hot-wire anemometry. Cases were considered at Reynolds numbers (based on the suction surface length and the nominal exit velocity from the cascade) ranging from 25,000 to 300,000. At the lowest Reynolds number the boundary layer separated and did not reattach, in spite of transition in the separated shear layer. At higher Reynolds numbers the boundary layer did reattach, and the separation bubble became smaller as Re increased. High freestream turbulence increased the thickness of the separated shear layer, resulting in a thinner separation bubble. This effect resulted in reattachment at intermediate Reynolds numbers, which was not observed at the same Re under low freestream turbulence conditions. Numerical simulations were performed using an unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) code with both a shear stress transport k-ω model and a 4 equation shear stress transport Transition model. Both models correctly predicted separation and reattachment (if it occurred) at all Reynolds numbers. The Transition model generally provided better quantitative results, correctly predicting velocities, pressure, and separation and transition locations. The model also correctly predicted the difference between high and low freestream turbulence cases.

Boundary Layer Transition on the High Lift T106A LP Turbine Blade With an Oscillating Downstream Pressure Field

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maciej M. Opoka ◽  
Richard L. Thomas ◽  
Howard P. Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Surface Pressure ◽  
Pressure Field ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Surface Boundary ◽  
Surface Shear Stress ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Surface Shear ◽  
Lp Turbine

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of the interaction between the suction surface boundary layer of a cascade of LP turbine blades and a fluctuating downstream potential field. A linear cascade equipped with a set of T106 LP turbine blades was subjected to a periodic variation of the downstream pressure field by means of a moving bar system at low-speed conditions. Measurements were taken in the suction surface boundary layer using 2D Laser Doppler Anemometry, flush mounted unsteady pressure transducers and surface shear stress sensors. The Reynolds number, based on the chord and exit conditions, was 1.6×105. The measurements revealed that the magnitudes of the suction surface pressure variations induced by the oscillating downstream pressure field, just downstream of the suction peak, were approximately equal to those measured in earlier studies involving upstream wakes. These pressure field oscillations induced a periodic variation of the transition onset location in the boundary layer. Two turbulence levels were investigated. At a low level of inlet freestream turbulence of 0.5%, a separation bubble formed on the rear part of the suction surface. Unsteady measurements of the surface pressure revealed the presence of high frequency oscillations occurring near the start of the pressure recovery region. The amplitude of these fluctuations was of the order of 7–8% of exit dynamic pressure, and inspection of the velocity field revealed the presence of Kelvin-Helmholtz type shear layer vortices in the separated free shear layer. The frequency of these shear layer vortices was approximately one order of magnitude greater than the frequency of the downstream passing bars. At a higher inlet freestream turbulence level of 4.0%, which is more representative of real engine environments, separation was prevented by an earlier onset of transition. Oscillations were still observed in suction surface shear stress measurements at a frequency matching the period of the downstream bar, indicating a continued influence on the boundary layer from the oscillating pressure field. However, the shear layer vortices seen in the lower turbulence intensity case were not so clearly observed and the maximum amplitude of suction surface pressure fluctuations was reduced.

scholarly journals An Experimental Investigation of Transition as Applied to Low Pressure Turbine Suction Surface Flows

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Songgang Qiu ◽  
Terrence W. Simon
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Wall Region ◽  
Flow Transition ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Near Wall

Results are presented of an experimental study of separation and transition within the flow over the suction surface of a low-pressure turbine airfoil. Detailed velocity profiles, measured in the near-wall region with the hot-wire technique, and surface static pressure distributions are presented. Flow transition is documented using measured intermittency distributions in the attached boundary layer and within the separated shear layer. Cases for Reynolds numbers based on exit velocity and suction surface length of 50,000, 100,000, 200,000, and 300,000 under low Free Stream Turbulence Intensity (FSTT = 0.5%), moderate-FSTI (2.5%), and high-FSTI (10%) are reported. Cases of FSTI = 2.5%, which, due to wakes, are most representative of low-pressure turbine flows, are discussed in detail. Comparisons are made for cases of differing Reynolds numbers and FSTI values. Flow separation, with transition of the shear layer over the separation bubble, is observed for the lower-Re cases. Enhanced transport after flow transition reduces the separation bubble size and eventually accelerates the near-wall flow to attached boundary layer status. Elevated FSTI and increased Re promote earlier transition, smaller separation bubbles, and an increased possibility that the boundary layer will remain attached and transition as such. Models for intermittency distribution, transition onset location, and transition length are assessed.

Exploitation of Subharmonics for Separated Shear Layer Control on a High-Lift Low-Pressure Turbine Using Acoustic Forcing

2013 ◽  
Vol 136 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Bernardini ◽  
Stuart I. Benton ◽  
Jen-Ping Chen ◽  
Jeffrey P. Bons
Keyword(s):  
Shear Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Boundary Layer Separation ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Linear Instability ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Significant Control ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Separated Shear Layer ◽  
Sound Control

The mechanism of separation control by sound excitation is investigated on the aft-loaded low-pressure turbine (LPT) blade profile, the L1A, which experiences a large boundary layer separation at low Reynolds numbers. Previous work by the authors has shown that on a laminar separation bubble such as that experienced by the front-loaded L2F profile, sound excitation control has its best performance at the most unstable frequency of the shear layer due to the exploitation of the linear instability mechanism. The different loading distribution on the L1A increases the distance of the separated shear layer from the wall and the exploitation of the same linear mechanism is no longer effective in these conditions. However, significant control authority is found in the range of the first subharmonic of the natural unstable frequency. The amplitude of forced excitation required for significant wake loss reduction is higher than that needed when exploiting linear instability, but unlike the latter case, no threshold amplitude is found. The fluid-dynamics mechanisms under these conditions are investigated by particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. Phase-locked PIV data gives insight into the growth and development of structures as they are shed from the shear layer and merge to lock into the excited frequency. Unlike near-wall laminar separation sound control, it is found that when such large separated shear layers occur, sound excitation at subharmonics of the fundamental frequency is still effective with high-Tu levels.

Pressure and Suction Surfaces Redesign for High Lift Low Pressure Turbines

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. González ◽  
I. Ulizar ◽  
R. Vázquez ◽  
H. P. Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Axial Position ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Pressure Surface ◽  
Turbine Efficiency ◽  
Profile Losses ◽  
Lp Turbine

Nowadays there is a big effort toward improving the low pressure turbine efficiency even to the extent of penalising other relevant design parameters. LP turbine efficiency influences SFC more than other modules in the engine. Most of the research has been oriented to reduce profile losses, modifying the suction surface, the pressure surface or the three-dimensional regions of the flow. To date, the pressure surface has received very little attention. The dependence of the profile losses on the behaviour of both pressure and suction surfaces has been investigated for the case of a high lift design that is representative of a modern civil engine LP turbine. The experimental work described in this paper consists on two different sets of experiments: the first one concluded an improved pressure surface definition and the second set was oriented to achieve further improvement in losses modifying the profile suction surface. Three profiles were designed and tested over a range of conditions. The first profile is a thin-solid design. This profile has a large pressure side separation bubble extending from near the leading edge to mid-chord. The second profile is a hollow design with the same suction surface as the first one but avoiding pressure surface separation. The third one is also a hollow design with the same pressure surface as the second profile but more aft loaded suction surface. The study is part of a wider on-going research programme covering the effects of the different design parameters on losses. The paper describes the experiments conducted in a low-speed linear cascade facility. It gathers together steady and unsteady loss measurements by wake traverse and surface pressure distributions for all the profiles. It is shown that thick profiles generate only around 90% of the losses of a thin-solid profile with the same suction surface. The results support the idea of an optimum axial position for the peak Mach number. Caution is recommended as profile aft loading would not be a completely secure method for reducing losses.

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