On the Propagation of Viscous Wakes and Potential Flow in Axial-Turbine Cascades

1993 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Korakianitis

This paper investigates the propagation of pressure disturbances due to potential-flow interaction and viscous-wake interaction from upstream blade rows in axial-turbine-blade rotor cascades. Results are obtained by modeling the effects of the upstream stator viscous wake and potential-flow fields as incoming disturbances on the downstream rotor flow field, where the computations are performed. A computer program is used to calculate the unsteady rotor flow fields. The amplitudes for the rotor inlet distortions due to the two types of interaction are based on a review of available experimental and computational data. We study the propagation of the isolated potential-flow interaction (no viscous-wake interaction), of the isolated viscous wake interaction (no potential-flow interaction), and of the combination of interactions. The discussion uses as example a lightly loaded cascade for a stator-to-rotor-pitch ratio R = 2. We examine the relative magnitudes of the unsteady forces for two different stator-exit angles. We also explain the expected differences when the stator-to-rotor pitch ratio is decreased (to R = 1) and increased (to R = 4). We offer new and previously unpublished explanations of the mechanisms of generation of unsteady forces on the rotor blades. The potential flow field of the rotor cuts into the potential flow field of the stator. After the potential-flow disturbance from the stator is cut into a rotor cascade, it propagates into the relative flow field of the rotor passage as a potential-flow disturbance superimposed on the rotor-relative flow. The potential flow field of the rotor near the leading edge and the leading edge itself cut into the wake and generate two counterrotating vortical patterns flanking the wake centerline in the passage. The vortical pattern upstream of the wake centerline generates an increase in the local pressure (and in the forces acting on the sides of the passage). The vortical pattern downstream of the wake centerline generates a decrease in the local pressure (and in the forces acting on the sides of the passage). The resulting unsteady forces on the blades are generated by the combined (additive) interaction of the two disturbances.

Author(s):  
Theodosios Korakianitis

This paper investigates the propagation of pressure disturbances due to potential-flow interaction and viscous-wake interaction from upstream blade rows in axial-turbine-blade rotor cascades. Results are obtained by modeling the effects of the stator viscous wake and the stator potential-flow field on the rotor flow field. A computer program is used to calculate the unsteady flow fields. The amplitudes for the two types of interaction are based on a review of available experimental and computational data. We study the propagation of the isolated potential-flow interaction (no viscous-wake interaction), of the isolated viscous wake interaction (no potential-flow interaction), and of the combination of interactions. The discussion uses as example a lightly-loaded cascade for a stator-to-rotor-pitch ratio R = 2. We examine the relative magnitudes of the unsteady forces for two different stator-exit angles. We also explain the expected differences when the stator-to-rotor pitch ratio is decreased (to R = 1) and increased (to R = 4). We offer new and previously unpublished explanations of the mechanisms of generation of unsteady forces on the blades. The potential flow field of the rotor cuts into the potential flow field of the stator. After the potential-flow disturbance from the stator is cut into a rotor cascade, it propagates into the relative flow field of the rotor passage as a potential-flow disturbance. The potential flow field of the rotor near the leading edge and the leading edge itself cut into the wake and generate two counter-rotating vortical patterns flanking the wake centerline in the passage. The vortical pattern upstream of the wake centerline generates an increase in the local pressure (and in the forces acting on the sides of the passage). The vortical pattern downstream of the wake centerline generates a decrease in the local pressure (and in the forces acting on the sides of the passage). The resulting unsteady forces on the blades are generated by the combined (additive) interaction of the two disturbances.


Author(s):  
Theodosios P. Korakianitis

This paper is a contribution to the study of the generation of unsteady forces on turbine blades due to viscous wake interaction and potential-flow interaction from upstream blade rows. A computer program is used to compute the unsteady forces on a rotor. Typical results for isolated viscous-wake interaction (no potential-flow interaction) are shown. These results indicate that the first spatial harmonic of the unsteady force may decrease for higher stator-to-rotor-pitch ratios. This trend is explained by considering the mechanisms by which the unsteady forces are generated. The mechanism by which the viscous wakes affect the flow field to generate these unsteady forces is shown to vary with the stator-to-rotor-pitch ratio and with the outlet flow angle of the stator. It is also shown that by varying the axial gap between rotor and stator one can attempt to minimize the magnitude of the unsteady part of the forces generated by the combined effects of viscous-wake interaction and potential-flow interaction.


1992 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Korakianitis

This article investigates the generation of unsteady forces on turbine blades due to potential-flow interaction and viscous-wake interaction from upstream blade rows. A computer program is used to calculate the unsteady forces on the rotor blades. Results are obtained by modeling the effects of the stator viscous wake and the stator potential-flow field on the rotor flow field. The results for one steady and one unsteady flow case are compared with known analytical and experimental data. The amplitudes for the two types of interaction are based on an analysis of available viscous wake data, on measurements of the potential-flow disturbance downstream of typical turbine stators, and on a parametric study of the effects of the amplitudes on the results of the unsteady forces generated on a typical turbine rotor cascade.


1976 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 390-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Eckardt

Detailed accurate measurements of velocities, directions, and fluctuation intensities were performed with a newly developed laser velocimeter in the internal flow field of a radial discharge impeller, running at tip speeds up to 400 m/s. Relative flow distributions are presented in five measurement areas from inducer inlet to impeller discharge. The impeller flow pattern, which coincides largely with potential-theory calculations in the axial inducer, becomes more and more reversed when the flow separates from the blade suction side, developing a rapidly increasing wake in the radial impeller. The observed secondary flow pattern and effects of channel curvature and system rotation on turbulence structure are discussed with respect to separation onset and jet/wake interaction.


1992 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Korakianitis

This article investigates the generation of unsteady forces on turbine blades due to potential-flow interaction and viscous-wake interaction from upstream blade rows. A computer program is used to calculate the unsteady forces on the rotor blades. Results for typical stator-to-rotor-pitch ratios and stator outlet-flow angles show that the first spatial harmonic of the unsteady force may decrease for higher stator-to-rotor-pitch ratios, while the higher spatial harmonics increase. This (apparently counterintuitive) trend for the first harmonic, and other blade row interaction issues, are explained by considering the mechanisms by which the viscous wakes and the potential-flow interaction affect the flow field. The interaction mechanism is shown to vary with the stator-to-rotor-pitch ratio and with the outlet flow angle of the stator. It is also shown that varying the axial gap between rotor and stator can minimize the magnitude of the unsteady part of the forces generated by the combined effects of the two interactions.


Author(s):  
Cheng Shuxian ◽  
Li Zhigang ◽  
Li Jun

Endwall profiling designed to reduce secondary flow loss may change the local pressure distribution which has an impact on the sealing effectiveness of a rim seal. This paper presents a numerical comparison of the sealing effectiveness of the rim seal and the aerodynamic performance of the blade with five different endwall profiling near the blade leading edge. Three-dimensional unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equations coupled with a fully developed shear stress transport (SST) turbulent model are utilized to investigate the sealing effectiveness and the flow characteristics of turbine rim seal. The numerical method for the pressure field and sealing performance of turbine rim seal is validated on the basis of published experimental data. The total-to-static efficiency of the blade and the minimum sealing rates of the rim seal with five endwall profiling near blade leading edge are compared. The baseline, convex and concave cases are selected to investigate the transient variation of the sealing effectiveness and the flow field in the disc cavity. In comparison with baseline case, the convex endwall makes the high pressure area move forward, increases the mainstream circumferential pressure fluctuation, and reduces the sealing effectiveness. The concave endwall reduces the local pressure and the mainstream circumferential pressure fluctuation, and increases the sealing effectiveness. However, the concave endwall profiling enhances the vortex in the blade passage and increases the secondary flow loss. The flow field near the rim seal with different endwall profiling is illustrated and analyzed.


Author(s):  
H. Krain

The influence of the impeller blade geometry on the calculated relative flow field has been studied by means of an impeller design program available at DFVLR [9]. Several geometrical parameters were varied, however, the meridional channel geometry was always kept constant. By this approach the blade wrap angle has been found to react significantly on the relative flow which is illustrated by comparing two designs with different wrap angles. Primarily in the hub/leading edge area a better boundary layer flow connected with a reduction of blade loading was obtained by increasing the wrap angle. But also in the shroud/pressure side area the increased blade looping attributed to an additional flow stabilization.


Author(s):  
Theodosios P. Korakianitis

This paper is a contribution to the study of the generation of unsteady forces on turbine blades due to potential-flow interaction and viscous-wake interaction from upstream blade rows. A computer program is used to compute the unsteady forces on a rotor. The accuracy of the computer program is tested by comparing the results of a steady-flow calculation case and of an unsteady-flow calculation case with theory and experiment respectively. Results are shown for typical stator-to-rotor-pitch ratios and stator outlet-flow angles. These results show that the first spatial harmonic of the unsteady force may decrease for higher stator-to-rotor-pitch ratios. This trend is explained by considering the mechanisms by which the unsteady forces are generated. In this paper the mechanism by which the potential-flow interaction affects the flow field to generate these unsteady forces is shown to vary with the stator-to-rotor-pitch ratio and with the outlet flow angle of the stator.


Author(s):  
Hong Yin

In advanced gas turbine technology, lean premixed combustion is an effective strategy to reduce peak temperature and thus, NO[Formula: see text] emissions. The swirler is adopted to establish recirculation flow zone, enhancing mixing and stabilizing the flame. Therefore, the swirling flow is dominant in the combustor flow field and has impact on the vane. This paper mainly investigates the swirling flow effect on the turbine first stage vane cooling system by conducting a group of numerical simulations. Firstly, the numerical methods of turbulence modeling using RANS and LES are compared. The computational model of one single swirl flow field is considered. Both the RANS and LES results give reasonable recirculation zone shape. When comparing the velocity distribution, the RANS results generally match the experimental data but fail to at some local area. The LES modeling gives better results and more detailed unsteady flow field. In the second step, the RANS modeling is incorporated to investigate the vane film cooling performance under the swirling inflow boundary condition. According to the numerical results, the leading edge film cooling is largely altered by the swirling flow, especially for the swirl core-leading edge aligned case. Compared to the pressure side, the suction side film cooling is more sensitive to the swirling flow. Locally, the film cooling jet is lifted and turned by the strong swirling flow.


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