Spanwise Mixing in Axial-Flow Turbomachines

1982 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. G. Adkins ◽  
L. H. Smith

Flow measurements taken in multistage axial-flow turbomachines suggest that substantial spanwise mixing of flow properties often occurs. In addition, measured blade row turnings often show considerable deviation from two-dimensional cascade theory, particularly in the end-wall regions. An approximate method is presented with which both of these effects can be included in design through-flow calculations. The method is based on inviscid, small-perturbation secondary flow theory. Frictional effects are not directly included but secondary flows caused by annulus wall and blade boundary layers are included in an approximate way. The secondary flow model includes effects of 1) main-stream nonfree-vortex flow, 2) end-wall boundary layers, 3) blade end clearances, 4) blade end shrouding, and 5) blade boundary layer and wake centrifugation. The spanwise mixing phenomenon is modeled as a diffusion process, where the mixing coefficient is related to the calculated spanwise secondary velocities. Empirical adjustments are employed to account for the dissipation of the secondary velocities and interactions with downstream blade rows. The induced blade row overturnings are related to the calculated cross-passage secondary velocities. The nature of the assumptions employed restricts the method to design-point-type applications for which losses are relatively small and significant regions of separated flow are not present.

1987 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. P. Sharma ◽  
T. L. Butler

This paper describes the development of a semi-empirical model for estimating end-wall losses. The model has been developed from improved understanding of complex endwall secondary flows, acquired through review of flow visualization and pressure loss data for axial flow turbomachine cascades. The flow visualization data together with detailed measurements of viscous flow development through cascades have permitted more realistic interpretation of the classical secondary flow theories for axial turbomachine cascades. The re-interpreted secondary flow theories together with integral boundary layer concepts are used to formulate a calculation procedure for predicting losses due to the endwall secondary flows. The proposed model is evaluated against data from published literature and improved agreement between the data and predictions is demonstrated.


Author(s):  
Reinhard Mönig ◽  
Frank Mildner ◽  
Ralf Röper

During the last few decades extremely powerful Quasi-3D codes and fully 3D Navier-Stokes solvers have been developed and successfully utilized in the design process and optimization of multistage axial-flow compressors. However, most of these methods proved to be difficult in handling and extremely time consuming. Due to these disadvantages, the primary stage design and stage matching as well as the off-design analysis is nowadays still based on fast 2D methods incorporating loss-, deviation- and end wall modeling. Only the detailed 3D optimization is normally performed by means of advanced 3D methods. In this paper a fast and efficient 2D calculation method is presented, which already in the initial design phase of multistage axial flow compressors considers the influence of hub leakage flows, tip clearance effects and other end wall flow phenomena. The method is generally based on the fundamental approach by Howard and Gallimore (1992). In order to allow a more accurate prediction of skewed and non-developed boundary layers in turbomachines an improved theoretical approach was implemented. Particularly the splitting of the boundary layers into an axial and tangential component proved to be necessary in order to account for the change between rotating and stationary end walls. Additionally, a new approach is used for the prediction of the viscous end wall zones including hub leakage effects and strongly skewed boundary layers. As a result, empirical correlations for secondary flow effects are no longer required. The results of the improved method are compared with conventional 2D-results including 3D loss- and deviation-models, with, experimental data of a 3-stage research compressor of the Institute for Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery of the Technical University of Aachen and with 3D Navier-Stokes solutions of the V84.3A compressor and of a multi-stage Siemens research compressor. The results obtained using the new method show a remarkable improvement in comparison with conventional 2D-methods. Due to the high quality and the extremely short computation time the new method allows an overall viscous design of multistage compressors for heavy duty gas turbines and aeroengine applications.


1963 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Horlock

An analytical and experimental study is made of the development of secondary vorticities through the successive blade rows of a turbomachine. Whereas in cascade experiments the streamwise vorticity is usually zero at entry to the cascade, in the turbomachine this vorticity is in general nonzero and must be taken into account in the calculation of the secondary vorticity at exit from a blade row. In the calculation of boundary layer velocity profiles through an axial flow compressor stage, the variations in the exit air angles from the rows are computed first, from estimates of the secondary vorticities. There will always be overturning at the exit from the guide vane tip section, but tracing of the vorticity vectors through the machine shows that there may be underturning at rotor and stator tip. The exit air angles obtained from the analysis of these secondary flows may be used, together with actuator disk theory, to calculate axial velocity profiles in the boundary layers. It is suggested that this method of calculating the flow in the regions near the annulus walls should be used in the design of axial flow compressors.


2000 ◽  
Vol 123 (3) ◽  
pp. 558-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reinhard Mo¨nig ◽  
Frank Mildner ◽  
Ralf Ro¨per

During the last few decades extremely powerful Quasi-three-dimensional (3D) codes and fully 3D Navier-Stokes solvers have been developed and successfully utilized in the design process and optimization of multistage axial-flow compressors. However, most of these methods proved to be difficult in handling and extremely time consuming. Due to these disadvantages, the primary stage design and stage matching as well as the off-design analysis is nowadays still based on fast 2D methods incorporating loss-, deviation- and end wall modeling. Only the detailed 3D optimization is normally performed by means of advanced 3D methods. In this paper a fast and efficient 2D calculation method is presented, which already in the initial design phase of multistage axial flow compressors, considers the influence of hub leakage flows, tip clearance effects, and other end wall flow phenomena. The method is generally based on the fundamental approach by Howard and Gallimore (1992). In order to allow a more accurate prediction of skewed and nondeveloped boundary layers in turbomachines, an improved theoretical approach was implemented. Particularly the splitting of the boundary layers into an axial and tangential component proved to be necessary in order to account for the change between rotating and stationary end walls. Additionally, a new approach is used for the prediction of the viscous end wall zones including hub leakage effects and strongly skewed boundary layers. As a result, empirical correlations for secondary flow effects are no longer required. The results of the improved method are compared with conventional 2D results including 3D loss- and deviation-models, with experimental data of a three-stage research compressor of the Institute for Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery of the Technical University of Aachen and with 3D Navier-Stokes solutions of the V84.3A compressor and of a multistage Siemens research compressor. The results obtained using the new method show a remarkable improvement in comparison with conventional 2D methods. Due to the high quality and the extremely short computation time, the new method allows an overall viscous design of multistage compressors for heavy duty gas turbines and aeroengine applications.


2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Budimir Rosic ◽  
John D. Denton

Shroud leakage flow undergoes little change in the tangential velocity as it passes over the shroud. Mixing due to the difference in tangential velocity between the main stream flow and the leakage flow creates a significant proportion of the total loss associated with shroud leakage flow. The unturned leakage flow also causes negative incidence and intensifies the secondary flows in the downstream blade row. This paper describes the experimental results of a concept to turn the rotor shroud leakage flow in the direction of the main blade passage flow in order to reduce the aerodynamic mixing losses. A three-stage air model turbine with low aspect ratio blading was used in this study. A series of different stationary turning vane geometries placed into the rotor shroud exit cavity downstream of each rotor blade row was tested. A significant improvement in flow angle and loss in the downstream stator blade rows was measured together with an increase in turbine brake efficiency of 0.4 %.


Author(s):  
R. Pichler ◽  
Yaomin Zhao ◽  
R. D. Sandberg ◽  
V. Michelassi ◽  
R. Pacciani ◽  
...  

In low-pressure-turbines (LPT) around 60–70% of losses are generated away from end-walls, while the remaining 30–40% is controlled by the interaction of the blade profile with the end-wall boundary layer. Experimental and numerical studies have shown how the strength and penetration of the secondary flow depends on the characteristics of the incoming end-wall boundary layer. Experimental techniques did shed light on the mechanism that controls the growth of the secondary vortices, and scale-resolving CFD allowed to dive deep into the details of the vorticity generation. Along these lines, this paper discusses the end-wall flow characteristics of the T106 LPT profile at Re = 120K and M = 0.59 by benchmarking with experiments and investigating the impact of the incoming boundary layer state. The simulations are carried out with proven Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) and large-eddy simulation (LES) solvers to determine if Reynolds Averaged models can capture the relevant flow details with enough accuracy to drive the design of this flow region. Part I of the paper focuses on the critical grid needs to ensure accurate LES, and on the analysis of the overall time averaged flow field and comparison between RANS, LES and measurements when available. In particular, the growth of secondary flow features, the trace and strength of the secondary vortex system, its impact on the blade load variation along the span and end-wall flow visualizations are analysed. The ability of LES and RANS to accurately predict the secondary flows is discussed together with the implications this has on design.


Author(s):  
Ruchika Agarwal ◽  
Sridharan R. Narayanan ◽  
Shraman N. Goswami ◽  
Balamurugan Srinivasan

The performance of axial flow compressor stage can be improved by minimizing the effects of secondary flow and by avoiding flow separation. At higher blade loading, interaction of tip secondary flow and separated flow on blade surface is more near the tip of the rotor. This results in stall and hence decreases compressor performance. A previous study [1] was carried out to improve the performance of a rotating row of blades with the help of Vortex Generators (VGs) and considerable effects were observed. The current investigation is carried out to find out the effect of Vortex Generator (VG) on the performance of a compressor stage. NASA Rotor 37 with NASA Stator 37 (stage) is used as a test case for the current numerical investigation. VGs are placed at different chord wise as well as span wise locations. A mesh sensitivity study has been done so that simulation result is mesh independent. The results of numerical simulation with different geometrical forms and locations of VGs are presented in this paper. The investigation includes a description of the secondary flow effect and separation zone in compressor stage based on numerical as well as experimental results of NASA Rotor 37 with Stator 37 (without VG). It is also observed that the shape and location of the VG impacts the end wall cross flow and flow deflection [1], which result in enhanced stall range.


1981 ◽  
Vol 24 (188) ◽  
pp. 332-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsutomu ADACHI ◽  
Hiroshi SASHIKUMA ◽  
Tatsuo KAWAI

1986 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Sanz ◽  
R. D. Flack

Secondary flows were experimentally examined in three 90° curved ducts with square cross sections and different radii of curvature. Dean numbers were from 1.5 × 104 to 3.6 × 104 and radius ratios of 0.5, 2.3, and 3.0 were used. Streak photography flow measurements were made and general developing secondary flow patterns were studied for three cross sections in each bend: the inlet (0° plane), the midpoint (45° plane), and the outlet (90° plane). At the 0° plane, stress driven secondary flows were found to consist of flow toward the duct corners from the center, balanced by return flow at the side bisectors. This resulted in eight symmetric flow patterns at the inlet. After a rapid transition region, the pressure driven secondary flow patterns were found to be characterized by flow moving toward the outer curved wall at the axial midplane and returning to the inner wall along the duct walls. At the 45° and 90° planes two symmetric flow patterns were observed. Secondary flow velocities in the test elbow with the smallest radius of curvature, where centrifugal forces are greater, were as much as 27% higher than secondary flows in the more gradual turns examined in this study. Also, the pressure driven secondary flows at the exit were higher than the stress driven flows at the inlet by as much as 39%. The elbow with a radius ratio of 0.5 was found to influence the upstream inlet conditions the most and the secondary flow velocities at the inlet were as much as 56% higher than for the larger radii of curvature.


1975 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Lakshminarayana

An analysis is carried out to predict the nature and magnitude of secondary flows induced by temperature gradients in turbomachinery stator and rotor. The effect of this thermal driven secondary flow is severe in gas turbines, due to large temperature gradients that exist at the outlet of the combustion chamber. Secondary flows change the temperature profiles at the exit of the blade row and generate thermal wakes. A method of incorporating these effects into the calculation of gas, blade and casing temperatures in a turbine is demonstrated through an example.


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