Numerical Benchmark of Nonconventional RANS Turbulence Models for Film and Effusion Cooling

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cosimo Bianchini ◽  
Luca Andrei ◽  
Antonio Andreini ◽  
Bruno Facchini

Over the course of the years, several turbulence models specifically developed to improve the predicting capabilities of conventional two-equations Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) models have been proposed. They have, however, been mainly tested against experiments only comparing with standard isotropic models, in single hole configuration and for very low blowing ratio. A systematic benchmark of the various nonconventional models exploring a wider range of application is hence missing. This paper performs a comparison of three recently proposed models over three different test cases of increasing computational complexity. The chosen test matrix covers a wide range of blowing ratios (0.5–3.0) including both single row and multi-row cases for which experimental data of reference are available. In particular the well-known test by Sinha et al. (1991, “Film-Cooling Effectiveness Downstream of a Single Row of Holes with Variable Density Ratio,” J. Turbomach., 113, pp. 442–449) at BR = 0.5 is used in conjunction with two in-house carried out experiments: a single row film-cooling test at BR = 1.5 and a 15 rows test plate designed to study the interaction between slot and effusion cooling at BR = 3.0. The first two considered models are based on a tensorial definition of the eddy viscosity in which the stream-span position is augmented to overcome the main drawback connected with standard isotropic turbulence models that is the lower lateral spreading of the jet downwards the injection. An anisotropic factor to multiply the off diagonal position is indeed calculated from an algebraic expression of the turbulent Reynolds number developed by Bergeles et al. (1978, “The Turbulent Jet in a Cross Stream at Low Injection Rates: A Three-Dimensional Numerical Treatment,” Numer. Heat Transfer, 1, pp. 217–242) from DNS statistics over a flat plate. This correction could be potentially implemented in the framework of any eddy viscosity model. It was chosen to compare the predictions of such modification applied to two among the most common two-equation turbulence models for film-cooling tests, namely the two-layer (TL) model and the k–ω shear stress transport (SST), firstly proposed and tested in the past respectively by Azzi and Lakeal (2002, “Perspectives in Modeling Film Cooling of Turbine Blades by Transcending Conventional Two-Equation Turbulence Models,” J. Turbomach., 124, pp. 472–484) and Cottin et al. (2011, “Modeling of the Heat Flux For Multi-Hole Cooling Applications,” Proceedings of the ASME Turbo Expo, Paper No. GT2011-46330). The third model, proposed by Holloway et al. (2005, “Computational Study of Jet-in-Crossflow and Film Cooling Using a New Unsteady-Based Turbulence Model,” Proceedings of the ASME Turbo Expo, Paper No. GT2005-68155), involves the unsteady solution of the flow and thermal field to include the short-time response of the stress tensor to rapid strain rates. This model takes advantage of the solution of an additional transport equation for the local effective total stress to trace the strain rate history. The results are presented in terms of adiabatic effectiveness distribution over the plate as well as spanwise averaged profiles.

Author(s):  
L. Andrei ◽  
A. Andreini ◽  
C. Bianchini ◽  
B. Facchini

In the course of the years several turbulence models specifically developed to improve the predicting capabilities of conventional two-equations RANS models have been proposed. However they have been mainly tested against experiments only comparing with standard isotropic models, in single hole configuration and for very low blowing ratio. A systematic benchmark of the various non-conventional models exploring a wider range of application is hence missing. This paper performs a comparison of 3 recently proposed models over three different test cases of increasing computational complexity. The chosen test matrix covers a wide range of blowing ratios (0.5–3.0)including both single row and multi-row cases for which experimental data of reference are available. In particular the well known test by Sinha and Bogard [1] at BR = 0.5 is used in conjuction with two in-house carried out experiments: a single row film-cooling test at BR = 1.5 and a 15 rows test plate designed to study the interaction between slot and effusion cooling at BR = 3.0. The first two considered models are based on a tensorial definition of the eddy viscosity in which the stream-span position is augmented to overcome the main drawback connected with standard isotropic turbulence models that is the lower lateral spreading of the jet downwards the injection. An anisotropic factor to multiply the off-diagonal position is indeed calculated from an algebraic expression of the turbulent Reynolds number developed by Bergeles [2] from DNS statistics over a flat plate. This correction could be potentially implemented in the framework of any eddy viscosity model. It was chosen to compare the predictions of such modification applied to two among the most common two-equation turbulence models for film-cooling tests, namely the Two-Layer (TL) model and the k–ω Shear Stress Transport (SST), firstly proposed and tested in the past respectively by Azzi and Lakeal [3] and Cottin at al. [4]. The third model, proposed by Holloway et al. [5], involves the unsteady solution of the flow and thermal field to include the short-time response of the stress tensor to rapid strain rates. This model takes advantage of the solution of an additional transport equation for the local effective total stress to trace the strain rate history. The results are presented in terms of adiabatic effectiveness distribution over the plate as well as spanwise averaged profiles.


2003 ◽  
Vol 125 (3) ◽  
pp. 547-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Gritsch ◽  
Achmed Schulz ◽  
Sigmar Wittig

Film-cooling was the subject of numerous studies during the past decades. However, the effect of flow conditions on the entry side of the film-cooling hole on film-cooling performance has surprisingly not received much attention. A stagnant plenum which is widely used in experimental and numerical studies to feed the holes is not necessarily a right means to re-present real engine conditions. For this reason, the present paper reports on an experimental study investigating the effect of a coolant crossflow feeding the holes that is oriented perpendicular to the hot gas flow direction to model a flow situation that is, for instance, of common use in modern turbine blades’ cooling schemes. A comprehensive set of experiments was performed to evaluate the effect of perpendicular coolant supply direction on film-cooling effectiveness over a wide range of blowing ratios (M=0.5…2.0) and coolant crossflow Mach numbers Mac=0…0.6. The coolant-to-hot gas density ratio, however, was kept constant at 1.85 which can be assumed to be representative for typical gas turbine applications. Three different hole geometries, including a cylindrical hole as well as two holes with expanded exits, were considered. Particularly, two-dimensional distributions of local film-cooling effectiveness acquired by means of an infrared camera system were used to give detailed insight into the governing flow phenomena. The results of the present investigation show that there is a profound effect of how the coolant is supplied to the hole on the film-cooling performance in the near hole region. Therefore, crossflow at the hole entry side has be taken into account when modeling film-cooling schemes of turbine bladings.


Author(s):  
D. Scott Holloway ◽  
D. Keith Walters ◽  
James H. Leylek

This paper documents a computational investigation of the unsteady behavior of jet-in-crossflow applications. Improved prediction of fundamental physics is achieved by implementing a new unsteady, RANS-based turbulence model developed by the authors. Two test cases are examined that match experimental efforts previously documented in the open literature. One is the well-documented normal jet-in-crossflow, and the other is film cooling on the pressure side of a turbine blade. All simulations are three-dimensional, fully converged, and grid-independent. High-quality and high-density grids are constructed using multiple topologies and an unstructured, super-block approach to ensure that numerical viscosity is minimized. Computational domains include the passage, film hole, and coolant supply plenum. Results for the normal jet-in-crossflow are for a density ratio of 1 and velocity ratio of 0.5 and include streamwise velocity profiles and injected flow or “coolant” distribution. The Reynolds number based on the average jet exit velocity and jet diameter is 20,500. This represents a good test case since normal injection is known to exaggerate the key flow mechanisms seen in film-cooling applications. Results for the pressure side film-cooling case include coolant distribution and adiabatic effectiveness for a density and blowing ratio of 2. In addition to the in-house model that incorporates new unsteady physics, CFD simulations utilize standard, RANS-based turbulence models, such as the “realizable” k-ε model. The present study demonstrates the importance of unsteady physics in the prediction of jet-in-crossflow interactions and for film cooling flows that exhibit jet liftoff.


2002 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 472-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Azzi ◽  
D. Lakehal

The paper presents recent trends in modeling jets in crossflow with relevance to film cooling of turbine blades. The aim is to compare two classes of turbulence models with respect to their predictive performance in reproducing near-wall flow physics and heat transfer. The study focuses on anisotropic eddy-viscosity/diffusivity models and explicit algebraic stress models, up to cubic fragments of strain and vorticity tensors. The first class of models are direct numerical simulation (DNS) based two-layer approaches transcending the conventional k−ε model by means of a nonisotropic representation of the turbulent transport coefficients; this is employed in connection with a near-wall one-equation model resolving the semi-viscous sublayer. The aspects of this new strategy are based on known channel-flow and boundary layer DNS statistics. The other class of models are quadratic and cubic explicit algebraic stress formulations rigorously derived from second-moment closures. The stress-strain relations are solved in the context of a two-layer strategy resolving the near-wall region by means of a nonlinear one-equation model; the outer core flow is treated by use of the two-equation model. The models are tested for the film cooling of a flat plate by a row of streamwise injected jets. Comparison of the calculated and measured wall-temperature distributions shows that only the anisotropic eddy-viscosity/diffusivity model can correctly predict the spanwise spreading of the temperature field and reduce the strength of the secondary vortices. The wall-cooling effectiveness was found to essentially depend on these two particular flow features. The non-linear algebraic stress models were of a mixed quality in film-cooling calculations.


Author(s):  
Vijay K. Garg ◽  
Ali A. Ameri

A three-dimensional Navier-Stokes code has been used to compute the heat transfer coefficient on two film-cooled turbine blades, namely the VKI rotor with six rows of cooling holes including three rows on the shower head, and the C3X vane with nine rows of holes including five rows on the shower head. Predictions of heat transfer coefficient at the blade surface using three two-equation turbulence models, specifically, Coakley’s q-ω model, Chien’s k-ε model and Wilcox’s k-ω model with Menter’s modifications, have been compared with the experimental data of Camci and Arts (1990) for the VKI rotor, and of Hylton et al. (1988) for the C3X vane along with predictions using the Baldwin-Lomax (B-L) model taken from Garg and Gaugler (1995). It is found that for the cases considered here the two-equation models predict the blade heat transfer somewhat better than the B-L model except immediately downstream of the film-cooling holes on the suction surface of the VKI rotor, and over most of the suction surface of the C3X vane. However, all two-equation models require 40% more computer core than the B-L model for solution, and while the q-ω and k-ε models need 40% more computer time than the B-L model, the k-ω model requires at least 65% more time due to slower rate of convergence. It is found that the heat transfer coefficient exhibits a strong spanwise as well as streamwise variation for both blades and all turbulence models.


Author(s):  
S. Baldauf ◽  
A. Schulz ◽  
S. Wittig

Local adiabatic film cooling effectiveness on a flat plate surface downstream a row of cylindrical holes was investigated. Geometrical parameters like blowing angle and hole pitch as well as the flow parameters blowing rate and density ratio were varied in a wide range emphasizing on engine relevant conditions. An IR-thermography technique was used to perform local measurements of the surface temperature field. A spatial resolution of up to 7 data points per hole diameter extending up to 80 hole diameters downstream of the ejection location was achieved. Since all technical surface materials have a finite thermoconductivity, no ideal adiabatic conditions could be established. Therefore, a procedure for correcting the measured surface temperature data based on a Finite Element analysis was developed. Heat loss over the backside of the testplate and remnant heat flux within the testplate in lateral and streamwise direction were taken into account. The local effectiveness patterns obtained are systematically analyzed to quantify the influence of the various parameters. As a result, a detailed description of the characteristics of local adiabatic film cooling effectiveness is given. Furthermore, the locally resolved experimental results can serve as a data base for the validation of CFD-codes predicting discrete hole film cooling.


Author(s):  
A. Kohli ◽  
K. A. Thole

Film-cooling is a widely used method of prolonging blade life in high performance gas turbines and is implemented by injecting cold air through discrete holes on the blade surface. Most experimental research on film-cooling has been performed using round holes supplied by a stagnant plenum. This can be quite different from the actual turbine blade conditions in that a crossflow may be present whereby the internal channel Reynolds number could be as high as 90,000. This computational study uses a film-cooling hole that is inclined at 35° with respect to the mainstream and is diffused at the hole exit by 15°. An engine representative jet-to-mainstream density ratio of two was simulated. The test matrix consisted of fourteen different cases that were simulated for the two different blowing ratios in which the following effects were investigated: a) the effect of the orientation of the coolant supply channel relative to the cooling hole, b) the effect of the channel Reynolds number, and c) the effect of the metering length of the cooling hole. Results showed that the orientation of the coolant supply had a large effect whereby the worst orientation, in terms of a reduced adiabatic effectiveness, was predicted when the channel supplying the cooling hole was perpendicular to the mainstream. For this particular orientation, higher laterally averaged effectiveness occurred at lower channel Reynolds numbers and with the hole having a short metering length.


Author(s):  
Alexandros Terzis ◽  
Charilaos Kazakos ◽  
Nikolaos Papadopoulos ◽  
Anestis I. Kalfas ◽  
Pavlos K. Zachos ◽  
...  

The penetration of a jet of fluid into a traversal moving stream is a basic configuration of a wide range of engineering applications, such as film cooling and V/STOL aircrafts. This investigation examines experimentally the effect of blowing ratio of fans in cross flow, and numerically, the effect of the swirl velocity of jets in cross flow, downstream of the injection hole. The experimental results indicated an agreement with typically straight jets in cross flow (no vorticity), illustrating that the trace of the jet, remains close to the wall and subsequently enhance cooling at low blowing ratios in the case of turbine blade applications. However, the rotation of the jet results in an imparity between the two parts of the counter rotating vortex pair (CVP), and as a consequence, the injected fluid not only bends in the direction of the main stream but also diverts in the direction of the rotation, in order to conserve its angular momentum. The induction of the swirl velocity on the injected jet destructs one of the two parts of the kidney vortex which entrains fluid from the cross flow to the jet promoting the mixing between the two fluids, while the trace of a swirled jet remains closer to the wall downstream of the injection hole. Finally, the use of contra rotating jet or fan configurations reduces the wall shear stress in a very great extent, leading to better thermal protection of turbine blades, as well as cancels out the yaw torques of each fan separately, resulting in better flight control of typical lift surface.


1998 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Thole ◽  
M. Gritsch ◽  
A. Schulz ◽  
S. Wittig

One viable option to improve cooling methods used for gas turbine blades is to optimize the geometry of the film-cooling hole. To optimize that geometry, effects of the hole geometry on the complex jet-in-crossflow interaction need to be understood. This paper presents a comparison of detailed flowfield measurements for three different single, scaled-up hole geometries, all at a blowing ratio and density ratio of unity. The hole geometries include a round hole, a hole with a laterally expanded exit, and a hole with a forward-laterally expanded exit. In addition to the flowfield measurements for expanded cooling hole geometries being unique to the literature, the testing facility used for these measurements was also unique in that both the external mainstream Mach number (Ma∞ = 0.25) and internal coolant supply Mach number (Mac = 0.3) were nearly matched. Results show that by expanding the exit of the cooling holes, both the penetration of the cooling jet and the intense shear regions are significantly reduced relative to a round hole. Although the peak turbulence level for all three hole geometries was nominally the same, the source of that turbulence was different. The peak turbulence level for both expanded holes was located at the exit of the cooling hole resulting from the expansion angle being too large. The peak turbulence level for the round hole was located downstream of the hole exit where the velocity gradients were very large.


Author(s):  
D. Keith Walters ◽  
James H. Leylek

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results are presented for a study of film cooling on a linear turbine airfoil cascade. The simulations are for a single-row of streamwise-injected cylindrical holes on both the pressure and suction surfaces, downstream of the leading edge. The cases considered match experimental efforts previously documented in the open literature. Results are obtained for density ratio equal to 2.0, and a blowing ratio range from 0.5 to 2.0. The computational methodology minimizes error due to geometry modeling, grid, and numerical scheme, placing the simulations against the limits of the turbulence modeling. In this part, the results are examined in order to highlight the mean-flow physical mechanisms responsible for film-cooling performance on airfoils.


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