Unsteady Aerodynamics of a Low Aspect Ratio Turbine Stage: Modeling Issues and Flow Physics

2012 ◽  
Vol 134 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Persico ◽  
A. Mora ◽  
P. Gaetani ◽  
M. Savini
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Unsteady Aerodynamics ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Pressure Probe ◽  
Turbine Stage ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Low Aspect Ratio

In this paper the three-dimensional unsteady aerodynamics of a low aspect ratio, high pressure turbine stage are studied. In particular, the results of fully unsteady three-dimensional numerical simulations, performed with ANSYS-CFX, are critically evaluated against experimental data. Measurements were carried out with a novel three-dimensional fast-response pressure probe in the closed-loop test rig of the Laboratorio di Fluidodinamica delle Macchine of the Politecnico di Milano. An analysis is first reported about the strategy to limit the CPU and memory requirements while performing three-dimensional simulations of blade row interaction when the rotor and stator blade numbers are prime to each other. What emerges as the best choice is to simulate the unsteady behavior of the rotor alone by applying the stator outlet flow field as a rotating inlet boundary condition (scaled on the rotor blade pitch). Thanks to the reliability of the numerical model, a detailed analysis of the physical mechanisms acting inside the rotor channel is performed. Two operating conditions at different vane incidence are considered, in a configuration where the effects of the vortex-blade interaction are highlighted. Different vane incidence angles lead to different size, position, and strength of secondary vortices coming out from the stator, thus promoting different interaction processes in the subsequent rotor channel. However some general trends can be recognized in the vortex-blade interaction: the sense of rotation and the spanwise position of the incoming vortices play a crucial role on the dynamics of the rotor vortices, determining both the time-mean and the time-resolved characteristics of the secondary field at the exit of the stage.

Unsteady Aerodynamics of a Low Aspect Ratio Turbine Stage: Modeling Issues and Flow Physics

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Persico ◽  
A. Mora ◽  
P. Gaetani ◽  
M. Savini
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
Cfd Simulation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Unsteady Aerodynamics ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Pressure Probe ◽  
Turbine Stage ◽  
Aerodynamic Pressure ◽  
Low Aspect Ratio

In this paper the three-dimensional unsteady aerodynamics of a low aspect ratio, high pressure turbine stage is studied. Fully unsteady, three-dimensional numerical simulations are performed using the commercial code ANSYS-CFX The numerical model is critically evaluated against experimental data. Measurements were performed with a three-dimensional fast-response aerodynamic pressure probe in the closed-loop test rig operating in the Laboratorio di Fluidodinamica delle Macchine of the Politecnico di Milano (Italy). An analysis is first reported about the strategy to reduce the CPU and memory requirements while performing three-dimensional simulations of stator-rotor interaction in actual turbomachinery. What emerges as the best choice, at least for subsonic stages, is to simulate the unsteady behaviour of the rotor blade row alone by applying the stator outlet flow field as rotating inlet boundary condition. When measurements are available upstream of the rotor the best representation of the experimental results downstream of the stage is achieved. The agreement with the experiments achieved at the rotor exit makes the CFD simulation a key-tool for the comprehension and the interpretation of the physical mechanisms acting inside the rotor channel (often difficult to achieve using experiments only). Numerical investigations have been carried out by varying the incidence at the vane entrance. Different vane incidence angles lead to different size, position, and strength of secondary vortices coming out from the stator. The configuration is chosen is such a way to isolate the effects of the vortex-blade interaction. Results show that some general trends can be recognized in the vortex-blade interaction. The sense of rotation and the spanwise position of the incoming vortices play a crucial role on their interaction with the rotor vortices, thus determining both the time-mean and the time-resolved characteristics of the stage-exit secondary field.

Three Dimensional Clocking Effects in a One and a Half Stage Transonic Turbine

2009 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Schennach ◽  
J. Woisetschläger ◽  
B. Paradiso ◽  
G. Persico ◽  
P. Gaetani
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Pressure Probe ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Aerodynamic Pressure ◽  
Velocity Flow ◽  
Transonic Turbine

This paper presents an experimental investigation of the flow field in a high-pressure transonic turbine with a downstream vane row (1.5 stage machine) concerning the airfoil indexing. The objective is a detailed analysis of the three-dimensional aerodynamics of the second vane for different clocking positions. To give an overview of the time-averaged flow field, five-hole probe measurements were performed upstream and downstream of the second stator. Furthermore in these planes additional unsteady measurements were carried out with laser Doppler velocimetry in order to record rotor phase-resolved velocity, flow angle, and turbulence distributions at two different clocking positions. In the planes upstream of the second vane, the time-resolved pressure field has been measured by means of a fast response aerodynamic pressure probe. This paper shows that the secondary flows of the second vane are significantly modified by the different clocking positions, in connection with the first vane modulation of the rotor secondary flows. An analysis of the performance of the second vane is also carried out, and a 0.6% variation in the second vane loss coefficient has been recorded among the different clocking positions.

scholarly journals Calculation and Correlation of the Unsteady Flowfield in a High Pressure Turbine

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milind A. Bakhle ◽  
Jong S. Liu ◽  
Josef Panovsky ◽  
Theo G. Keith ◽  
Oral Mehmed
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Unsteady Aerodynamics ◽  
Forced Vibrations ◽  
Forced Response ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Turbine Stage ◽  
High Pressure Turbine

Forced vibrations in turbomachinery components can cause blades to crack or fail due to high-cycle fatigue. Such forced response problems will become more pronounced in newer engines with higher pressure ratios and smaller axial gap between blade rows. An accurate numerical prediction of the unsteady aerodynamics phenomena that cause resonant forced vibrations is increasingly important to designers. Validation of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes used to model the unsteady aerodynamic excitations is necessary before these codes can be used with confidence. Recently published benchmark data, including unsteady pressures and vibratory strains, for a high-pressure turbine stage makes such code validation possible. In the present work, a three dimensional, unsteady, multi blade-row, Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes code is applied to a turbine stage that was recently tested in a short duration test facility. Two configurations with three operating conditions corresponding to modes 2, 3, and 4 crossings on the Campbell diagram are analyzed. Unsteady pressures on the rotor surface are compared with data.

Experimental and Numerical Study of Stall Flutter in a Transonic Low-Aspect Ratio Fan Blisk

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Sanders ◽  
K. K. Hassan ◽  
D. C. Rabe
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Strain Gages ◽  
Pressure Transducers ◽  
Low Aspect Ratio ◽  
Benchmark Data

Experiments are performed on a modern design transonic shroudless low-aspect ratio fan blisk that experienced both subsonic/transonic and supersonic stall-side flutter. High-response flush mounted miniature pressure transducers are utilized to measure the unsteady aerodynamic loading distribution in the tip region of the fan for both flutter regimes, with strain gages utilized to measure the vibratory response at incipient and deep flutter operating conditions. Numerical simulations are performed and compared with the benchmark data using an unsteady three-dimensional nonlinear viscous computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis, with the effects of tip clearance, vibration amplitude, and the number of time steps-per-cycle investigated. The benchmark data are used to guide the validation of the code and establish best practices that ensure accurate flutter predictions.

scholarly journals Time Resolved Measurements in a Low Aspect Ratio Transonic Compressor Stage

1982 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. H. Epstein ◽  
W. T. Thompkins ◽  
J. L. Kerrebrock ◽  
W. F. Ng
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Compressor Stage ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Transonic Compressor ◽  
High Frequency Response ◽  
Low Aspect Ratio ◽  
Conventional Test

The time resolved flowfield in a low aspect ratio transonic compressor stage has been studied using a high frequency response sphere probe with a bandpass of D.C. to 20 kHz in a blowdown compressor facility. Averaged over the compressor annulus, the data agree well with those measured with standard pilot type probes on the same stage in a conventional test rig. Not all the spanwise distributions agree, however. These differences are explained as errors in the pilot probe readings due to fluctuations in the flow. The experimental data are compared to the results of a three-dimensional inviscid Euler calculation.

Structures and Dynamics Committee Best Paper of 1996 Award: Inlet Distortion Generated Forced Response of a Low-Aspect-Ratio Transonic Fan

1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 665-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. R. Manwaring ◽  
D. C. Rabe ◽  
C. B. Lorence ◽  
A. R. Wadia
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Steady Flow ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Unsteady Aerodynamics ◽  
Forced Response ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Surface Boundary ◽  
Unsteady Pressure ◽  
Low Aspect Ratio ◽  
Transonic Fan

This paper describes a portion of an experimental and computational program (ADLARF), which incorporates, for the first time, measurements of all aspects of the forced response of an airfoil row, i.e., the flow defect, the unsteady pressure loadings, and the vibratory response. The purpose of this portion was to extend the knowledge of the unsteady aerodynamics associated with a low-aspect-ratio transonic fan where the flow defects were generated by inlet distortions. Measurements of screen distortion patterns were obtained with total pressure rakes and casing static pressures. The unsteady pressure loadings on the blade were determined from high response pressure transducers. The resulting blade vibrations were measured with strain gages. The steady flow was analyzed using a three-dimensional Navier–Stokes solver while the unsteady flow was determined with a quasi-three-dimensional linearized Euler solver. Experimental results showed that the distortions had strong vortical, moderate entropic, and weak acoustic parts. The three-dimensional Navier–Stokes analyses showed that the steady flow is predominantly two-dimensional, with radially outward flow existing only in the blade surface boundary layers downstream of shocks and in the aft part of the suction surface. At near resonance conditions, the strain gage data showed blade-to-blade motion variations and thus, linearized unsteady Euler solutions showed poorer agreement with the unsteady loading data than comparisons at off-resonance speeds. Data analysis showed that entropic waves generated unsteady loadings comparable to vortical waves in the blade regions where shocks existed.

Multistage Aspects and Unsteady Effects of Stator and Rotor Clocking in an Axial Turbine With Low Aspect Ratio Blading

2005 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Behr ◽  
L. Porreca ◽  
T. Mokulys ◽  
A. I. Kalfas ◽  
R. S. Abhari
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Number Count ◽  
Low Aspect Ratio ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Flow Interactions

This paper presents the outcome of a recent study in clocking-related flow features and multistage effects occurring in high-pressure turbine blade geometries. The current investigation deals with an experimentally based systematic analysis of the effects of both stator-stator and rotor-rotor clocking. Due to the low aspect ratio of the turbine geometry, the flow field is strongly three-dimensional and is dominated by secondary flow structures. The investigation aims to identify the flow interactions involved and the associated effects on performance improvement or degradation. Consequently a three-dimensional numerical analysis has been undertaken to provide the numerical background to the test case considered. The experimental studies were performed in a two-stage axial research turbine facility. The turbine provides a realistic multi-stage environment, in which both stator blade rows and the two rotors can be clocked relative to each other. All blade rows have the same blade number count, which tends to amplify clocking effects. Unsteady and steady measurements were obtained in the second stage using fast response aerodynamic probes and miniature pneumatic five-hole probes. The current comprehensive investigation has shown that multistage and unsteady flow effects of stator and rotor clocking in low aspect ratio turbines are combined in a nonlinear fashion caused by axial and radial redistribution of low energy fluid. The integral result of clocking on stage efficiency is compensated by competing loss generating mechanisms across the span.

Experimental Investigation of the Unsteady Flow Field Downstream of a Counter-Rotating Two-Spool Turbine Rig

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide Lengani ◽  
Cornelia Santner ◽  
Rosario Spataro ◽  
Berardo Paradiso ◽  
Emil Göttlich
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Investigation ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Unsteady Flow ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Pressure Probe ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Aerodynamic Pressure

The paper presents an experimental investigation of the unsteady flow field in the two-spool counter-rotating transonic turbine at Graz University of Technology. The test setup consists of a high pressure (HP) stage, a diffusing mid turbine frame with turning struts (TMTF) and a shrouded low pressure (LP) rotor. The two rotors are mounted on mechanically independent shafts in order to provide engine-representative operating conditions. The rig was designed in cooperation with MTU Aero Engines and Volvo Aero within the EU project DREAM (ValiDation of Radical Engine Architecture SysteMs). A two-sensor fast response aerodynamic pressure probe (2S-FRAP) has been employed to provide time-resolved aerodynamic area traverses downstream of the LP turbine. Such measurement allows estimating the total deterministic unsteadiness transported through the duct. In particular, it has been possible to isolate the structures induced by each rotor by means of the encoders mounted on the two shafts. A global ensemble averaged field, which takes into account the rotor-rotor interactions, is also provided. The time resolved distributions of the flow quantities are then discussed in details. The perturbations due to the HP rotor in terms of velocity and flow angle are negligible in this downstream plane. Indeed, the largest fluctuations of velocity are due to the TMTF-LP rotor interaction, they occur in the wake and secondary flows of the TMTF. Large fluctuations of static and total pressure are instead due to both rotors to the same extent.

Experimental and Numerical Study of Stall Flutter in a Transonic Low-Aspect Ratio Fan Blisk

2004 ◽  
Vol 126 (1) ◽  
pp. 166-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Sanders ◽  
K. K. Hassan ◽  
D. C. Rabe
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Strain Gages ◽  
Pressure Transducers ◽  
Low Aspect Ratio ◽  
Benchmark Data

Experiments are performed on a modern design transonic shroudless low-aspect ratio fan blisk that experienced both subsonic/transonic and supersonic stall-side flutter. High-response flush mounted miniature pressure transducers are utilized to measure the unsteady aerodynamic loading distribution in the tip region of the fan for both flutter regimes, with strain gages utilized to measure the vibratory response at incipient and deep flutter operating conditions. Numerical simulations are performed and compared with the benchmark data using an unsteady three-dimensional nonlinear viscous computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis, with the effects of tip clearance, vibration amplitude, and the number of time steps-per-cycle investigated. The benchmark data are used to guide the validation of the code and establish best practices that ensure accurate flutter predictions.

Multistage Aspects and Unsteady Effects of Stator and Rotor Clocking in an Axial Turbine With Low Aspect Ratio Blading

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Behr ◽  
L. Porreca ◽  
T. Mokulys ◽  
A. I. Kalfas ◽  
R. S. Abhari
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Number Count ◽  
Low Aspect Ratio ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Flow Interactions

This paper presents the outcome of a recent study in clocking-related flow features and multistage effects occurring in high-pressure turbine blade geometries. The current investigation deals with an experimentally based systematic analysis of the effects of both stator-stator and rotor-rotor clocking. Due to the low aspect ratio of the turbine geometry, the flow field is strongly three-dimensional and is dominated by secondary flow structures. The investigation aims to identify the flow interactions involved and the associated effects on performance improvement or degradation. Consequently a three-dimensional numerical analysis has been undertaken to provide the numerical background to the test case considered. The experimental studies were performed in a two-stage axial research turbine facility. The turbine provides a realistic multi-stage environment, in which both stator blade rows and the two rotors can be clocked relative to each other. All blade rows have the same blade number count, which tends to amplify clocking effects. Unsteady and steady measurements were obtained in the second stage using fast response aerodynamic probes (FRAP) and miniature pneumatic 5-hole probes. The current comprehensive investigation has shown that multistage and unsteady flow effects of stator and rotor clocking in low aspect ratio turbines are combined in a nonlinear fashion caused by axial and radial redistribution of low energy fluid. The integral result of clocking on stage efficiency is compensated by competing loss generating mechanisms across the span.

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