Velocity Distributions for Low Pressure Turbines

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Coull ◽  
R. L. Thomas ◽  
H. P. Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Laser Doppler Anemometry ◽  
Peak Velocity ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Number Range ◽  
Reduced Frequency ◽  
Unsteady Interaction ◽  
Lp Turbine

A parametric set of velocity distributions has been investigated using a flat-plate experiment. Three different diffusion factors and peak velocity locations were tested. These were designed to mimic the suction surfaces of low pressure (LP) turbine blades. Unsteady wakes, inherent in real turbomachinery flows, were generated using a moving bar mechanism. A turbulence grid generated a freestream turbulence level that is believed to be typical of LP turbines. Measurements were taken across a Reynolds number range 50,000–220,000 at three reduced frequencies (0.314, 0.628, and 0.942). Boundary layer traverses were performed at the nominal trailing edge using a laser Doppler anemometry system and hot films were used to examine the boundary layer behavior along the surface. For every velocity distribution tested, the boundary layer separated in the diffusing flow downstream of the peak velocity. The loss production is dominated by the mixing in the reattachment process, mixing in the turbulent boundary layer downstream of reattachment, and the effects of the unsteady interaction between the wakes and the boundary layer. A sensitive balance governs the optimal location of peak velocity on the surface. Moving the velocity peak forward on the blade was found to be increasingly beneficial when bubble-generated losses are high, i.e. at low Reynolds number, at low reduced frequency, and at high diffusion factors.

Velocity Distributions for Low Pressure Turbines

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Coull ◽  
Richard L. Thomas ◽  
Howard P. Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Laser Doppler Anemometry ◽  
Peak Velocity ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Number Range ◽  
Reduced Frequency ◽  
Unsteady Interaction ◽  
Lp Turbine

A parametric set of velocity distributions has been investigated using a flat plate experiment. Three different diffusion factors and peak velocity locations were tested. These were designed to mimic the suction surfaces of Low Pressure (LP) turbine blades. Unsteady wakes, inherent in real turbomachinery flows, were generated using a moving bar mechanism. A turbulence grid generated a freestream turbulence level that is believed to be typical of LP turbines. Measurements were taken across a Reynolds number range of 50,000–220,000 at three reduced frequencies (0.314, 0.628, 0.942). Boundary layer traverses were performed at the nominal trailing edge using a Laser Doppler Anemometry system and hot-films were used to examine the boundary layer behaviour along the surface. For every velocity distribution tested, the boundary layer separated in the diffusing flow downstream of the peak velocity. The loss production is dominated by the mixing in the reattachment process, mixing in the turbulent boundary layer downstream of reattachment and the effects of the unsteady interaction between the wakes and the boundary layer. A sensitive balance governs the optimal location of peak velocity on the surface. Moving the velocity peak forwards on the blade was found to be increasingly beneficial when bubble-generated losses are high, i.e. at low Reynolds number, at low reduced frequency and at high levels of diffusion.

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.

Study of Flow Controlling on LP Turbine at Different Reynolds Number

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Aqib Chishty ◽  
Hossein Raza Hamdani ◽  
Khalid Parvez ◽  
Muhammad Nafees Mumtaz Qadri
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Flow Separation ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Control Flow ◽  
Loss Coefficient ◽  
Shear Stresses ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Lp Turbine

Active and passive techniques have been used in the past, to control flow separation. Numerous studies were published on controlling and delaying the flow separation on low pressure turbine. In this study, a single dimple (i.e. passive device) is engraved on the suction side of LP turbine cascade T106A. The main aim of this research is to find out the optimum parameters of dimple i.e. diameter (D) and depth (h) which can produce strong enough vortex that can control the flow either in transition or fully turbulent phase. Furthermore, this optimal dimple is engraved to suppress the boundary layer separation at different Reynolds number (based on the chord length and inlet velocity). The dimple of different depth and diameter are used to find the optimal depth to diameter ratio. Computational results show that the optimal ratio of depth to diameter (h/D) for dimple is 0.0845 and depth to grid boundary layer (h/δ) is 0.5152. This optimized dimple efficiently reduces the normalized loss coefficient and it is found that the negative values of shear stresses found in uncontrolled case are being removed by the dimple. After that, dimple of optimized parameters are used to suppress the laminar separation bubble at different Re∼25000, 50000 and 91000. It was noticed that the dimple did not reduce the losses at Re∼25000. But at Re∼50000, it produced such a strong vortex that reduced the normalized loss coefficient to 25%, while 5% losses were reduced at Re∼91000. It can be concluded that the optimized dimple effectively controlled flow separation and reduced normalized loss coefficient from Re 25000 to 91000. As the losses are decreased, this will increase the low pressure turbine efficiency and reduce its fuel consumption.

The Effect of FSTI to the Combined Separation Control Strategy of Surface Roughness With Upstream Wakes

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sun Shuang ◽  
Lei Zhi-jun ◽  
Lu Xin-gen ◽  
Zhang Yan-feng ◽  
Zhu Jun-qiang
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Transition Region ◽  
Boundary Layer Separation ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Number Range ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine

Boundary layer separation can lead to partial loss of lift and higher aerodynamic losses on low-pressure turbine airfoils at low Reynolds number in high bypass ratio engines. The combined effects of upstream wakes and surface roughness on boundary layer development have been investigated experimentally to improve the performance of ultra-high-lift low-pressure turbine (LPT) blades. The measurement was performed on a linear cascade with an ultra-high-lift aft-loaded LP turbine profile named IET-LPTA with Zweifel loading coefficient of about 1.37. The wakes were simulated by the moving cylindrical bars upstream of the cascade. The time-mean aerodynamic performance and the boundary layer behavior on suction surface had been measured with two 3-hole probes and a hot-wire probe. Three roughness heights ranging from 8.8–20.9μm combined with three roughness deposit positions ranging from 5.2%–39.5% suction surface length formed a large measurement matrix. The roughness with height of 8.8μm (1.05×10−4 chord length) covering 5.2% suction surface reduced the profile loss across the whole Reynolds number range. Under the effect of roughness associated with upstream wakes, the freestream turbulence intensity (FSTI) is responsible in part for the development of the wake-induced transition region, calmed region and natural transition region of the boundary layer. The transition length and the transition onset of the boundary layer were also affected by the FSTI.

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.

Transition Prediction in Low Pressure Turbine (LPT) Using Gamma Theta Model and Passive Control of Separation

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Aqib Chishty ◽  
Khalid Parvez ◽  
Sijal Ahmed ◽  
Hossein Raza Hamdani ◽  
Ammar Mushtaq
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Passive Control ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Computational Domain ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine

The boundary layer of low-pressure turbine blades has received a great deal of attention due to advent of high lift and ultra high lift LP turbines. At cruising condition, Reynolds number is very low in engine and LP turbine performance suffers mainly from losses due to the laminar separation bubble on suction surface. In this paper, T106A low pressure turbine profile has been used to study the behavior of boundary layer and subsequently, flow is controlled using the passive technique. Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes equations were solved using SST Gamma-Theta transition model for turbulence closure. Hybrid mesh topology has been used to discretize the computational domain, with highly resolved structured mesh in boundary layer (Y+ < 1) and unstructured mesh in the rest of domain. Simulations were performed using commercial CFD code ANSYS FLUENT ® at Reynolds number 91000 (based on inlet velocity and chord length) and turbulence intensity of 0.4%. To study the effect of dimple on the flow separation, dimple has been positioned at different axial location on the suction side. It was found that shifting the dimple downstream results in controlled flow and reduced loss coefficient as compared to the case when no dimple is applied.

Transition on the T106 LP Turbine Blade in the Presence of Moving Upstream Wakes and Downstream Potential Fields

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maciej M. Opoka ◽  
Howard P. Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Phase Angle ◽  
Potential Field ◽  
Relative Phase ◽  
Laser Doppler Anemometry ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Surface Boundary ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Lp Turbine

Boundary layer measurements were performed on a cascade of the T106 high lift low-pressure (LP) turbine blades that was subjected to upstream wakes and a moving downstream potential field. Tests were carried out at a low level of inlet freestream turbulence (0.5%) and at a higher (4.0%). It is found that perturbations in the freestream due to both disturbances are superposed on each other. This affects the magnitude of the velocity perturbations at the edge of the boundary layer under the wakes as well as the fluctuations in the edge velocity between the wakes. Furthermore, the fluctuations in the adverse pressure gradient on the suction surface depend on the relative phase of the upstream and downstream disturbances, providing an additional stimulus for clocking studies. Time-mean momentum thickness values calculated from laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) traverses performed near the suction surface trailing edge are used to identify the optimum relative phase angle of the combined interaction. Unsteady suction surface pressures, quasiwall shear stress and LDA data illustrate the resulting multimode process of transition, which is responsible for the observed clocking effects. The optimum relative phase angle of the upstream wake and the downstream potential field can produce 0.25% of efficiency improvement through the reduction of the suction surface boundary layer loss. This reduction is mainly related to the calmed region and the laminar flow benefits that can be more effectively utilized than when only the upstream wakes are present. During the remaining parts of the cycle, the features that are usually associated with the wake and the potential field effects are still present.

The Effect of Pulsed Blowing on the Boundary Layer of a Highly Loaded Low Pressure Turbine Blade

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Mack ◽  
Roland Brachmanski ◽  
Reinhard Niehuis
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Mach Number ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Highly Loaded

The performance of the low pressure turbine (LPT) can vary appreciably, because this component operates under a wide range of Reynolds numbers. At higher Reynolds numbers, mid and aft loaded profiles have the advantage that transition of suction side boundary layer happens further downstream than at front loaded profiles, resulting in lower profile loss. At lower Reynolds numbers, aft loading of the blade can mean that if a suction side separation exists, it may remain open up to the trailing edge. This is especially the case when blade lift is increased via increased pitch to chord ratio. There is a trend in research towards exploring the effect of coupling boundary layer control with highly loaded turbine blades, in order to maximize performance over the full relevant Reynolds number range. In an earlier work, pulsed blowing with fluidic oscillators was shown to be effective in reducing the extent of the separated flow region and to significantly decrease the profile losses caused by separation over a wide range of Reynolds numbers. These experiments were carried out in the High-Speed Cascade Wind Tunnel of the German Federal Armed Forces University Munich, Germany, which allows to capture the effects of pulsed blowing at engine relevant conditions. The assumed control mechanism was the triggering of boundary layer transition by excitation of the Tollmien-Schlichting waves. The current work aims to gain further insight into the effects of pulsed blowing. It investigates the effect of a highly efficient configuration of pulsed blowing at a frequency of 9.5 kHz on the boundary layer at a Reynolds number of 70000 and exit Mach number of 0.6. The boundary layer profiles were measured at five positions between peak Mach number and the trailing edge with hot wire anemometry and pneumatic probes. Experiments were conducted with and without actuation under steady as well as periodically unsteady inflow conditions. The results show the development of the boundary layer and its interaction with incoming wakes. It is shown that pulsed blowing accelerates transition over the separation bubble and drastically reduces the boundary layer thickness.

Aero-optics of subsonic turbulent boundary layers

2012 ◽  
Vol 696 ◽  
pp. 122-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kan Wang ◽  
Meng Wang
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Elevation Angle ◽  
Turbulent Boundary Layers ◽  
Density Field ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Number Range ◽  
Scale Turbulence

AbstractCompressible large-eddy simulations are carried out to study the aero-optical distortions caused by Mach 0.5 flat-plate turbulent boundary layers at Reynolds numbers of ${\mathit{Re}}_{\theta } = 875$, 1770 and 3550, based on momentum thickness. The fluctuations of refractive index are calculated from the density field, and wavefront distortions of an optical beam traversing the boundary layer are computed based on geometric optics. The effects of aperture size, small-scale turbulence, different flow regions and beam elevation angle are examined and the underlying flow physics is analysed. It is found that the level of optical distortion decreases with increasing Reynolds number within the Reynolds-number range considered. The contributions from the viscous sublayer and buffer layer are small, while the wake region plays a dominant role, followed by the logarithmic layer. By low-pass filtering the fluctuating density field, it is shown that small-scale turbulence is optically inactive. Consistent with previous experimental findings, the distortion magnitude is dependent on the propagation direction due to anisotropy of the boundary-layer vortical structures. Density correlations and length scales are analysed to understand the elevation-angle dependence and its relation to turbulence structures. The applicability of Sutton’s linking equation to boundary-layer flows is examined, and excellent agreement between linking equation predictions and directly integrated distortions is obtained when the density length scale is appropriately defined.

Low Pressure Turbine Lapse Rate Study: CFD Model vs. Rig Data

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-S. Liu ◽  
M. L. Celestina ◽  
G. B. Heitland ◽  
D. B. Bush ◽  
M. L. Mansour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Low Reynolds Number ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Lapse Rate ◽  
Bypass Transition ◽  
Blade Row ◽  
Low Reynolds ◽  
Lp Turbine

As an aircraft engine operates from sea level take-off (SLTO) to altitude cruise, the low pressure (LP) turbine Reynolds number decreases. As Reynolds number is reduced the condition of the airfoil boundary layer shifts from bypass transition to separated flow transition. This can result in a significant loss. The LP turbine performance fall-off from SLTO to altitude cruise, due to the loss increase with reduction in Reynolds number, is referred to as a lapse rate. A considerable amount of research in recent years has been focused on understanding and reducing the loss associated with the low Reynolds number operation. A recent 3-1/2 stage LP turbine design completed a component rig test program at Honeywell. The turbine rig test included Reynolds number variation from SLTO to altitude cruise conditions. While the rig test provides detailed inlet and exit condition measurements, the individual blade row effects are not available. Multi-blade row computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis is used to complement the rig data by providing detailed flow field information through each blade row. A multi-blade row APNASA model was developed and solutions were obtained at the SLTO and altitude cruise rig conditions. The APNASA model predicts the SLTO to altitude lapse rate within 0.2 point compared to the rig data. The global agreement verifies the modeling approach and provides a high confidence level in the blade row flow field predictions. Additional Reynolds number investigation with APNASA will provide guidance in the LP turbine Reynolds number research areas to reduce lapse rate. To accurately predict the low Reynolds number flow in the LP turbine is a challenging task for any computational fluid dynamic (CFD) code. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the capability of a CFD code, APNASA, to predict the sensitivity of the Reynolds number in LP turbines.

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