A Low Pressure Turbine at Extreme Off-Design Operation

2013 ◽  
Vol 136 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Lipfert ◽  
Martin Marx ◽  
Martin G. Rose ◽  
Stephan Staudacher ◽  
Inga Mahle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
High Incidence

In a cooperative project between the Institute of Aircraft Propulsion Systems and MTU Aero Engines GmbH, a two-stage low pressure turbine with integrated 3D airfoil and endwall contouring is tested. The experimental data taken in the altitude test-facility study the effect of high incidence in off-design operation. Steady measurements are covering a wide range of Reynolds numbers between 40,000 and 180,000. The results are compared with steady multistage CFD predictions with a focus on the stator rows. A first unsteady simulation is taken into account as well. The CFD simulations include leakage flow paths with disk cavities modeled. Compared to design operation the extreme off-design high-incidence conditions lead to a different flow-field Reynolds number sensitivity. Airfoil lift data reveals changing incidence with Reynolds number of the second stage. Increased leading edge loading of the second vane indicates a strong cross channel pressure gradient in the second stage leading to larger secondary flow regions and a more three-dimensional flow-field. Global characteristics and area traverse data of the second vane are discussed. The unsteady CFD approach indicates improvement in the numerical prediction of the predominating flow-field.

An LP Turbine at Extreme Off-Design Operation

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Lipfert ◽  
Martin Marx ◽  
Martin G. Rose ◽  
Stephan Staudacher ◽  
Inga Mahle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Aero Engines ◽  
Lp Turbine

In a cooperative project between the Institute of Aircraft Propulsion Systems (ILA) and MTU Aero Engines GmbH a two-stage low pressure turbine with integrated 3D airfoil and endwall contouring is tested. The experimental data taken in the altitude test-facility study the effect of high incidence in off-design operation. Steady measurements are covering a wide range of Reynolds numbers between 40,000 and 180,000. The results are compared with steady multistage CFD predictions with a focus on the stator rows. A first unsteady simulation is taken into account as well. The CFD simulations include leakage flow paths with disc cavities modeled. Compared to design operation the extreme off-design high-incidence conditions lead to a different flow-field Reynolds number sensitivity. Airfoil lift data reveals changing incidence with Reynolds number of the second stage. Increased leading edge loading of the second vane indicates a strong cross channel pressure gradient in the second stage leading to larger secondary flow regions and a more three-dimensional flow field. Global characteristics and area traverse data of the second vane are discussed. The unsteady CFD approach indicates improvement in the numerical prediction of the predominating flow field.

Blade–Row Interactions in a Low Pressure Turbine at Design and Strong Off-Design Operation

2014 ◽  
Vol 136 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Lipfert ◽  
Jan Habermann ◽  
Martin G. Rose ◽  
Stephan Staudacher ◽  
Yavuz Guendogdu
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Joint Project ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Blade Row

In a joint project between the Institute of Aircraft Propulsion Systems (ILA) and MTU Aero Engines, a two-stage low pressure turbine is tested at design and strong off-design conditions. The experimental data taken in the Altitude Test Facility (ATF) aims to study the effect of positive and negative incidence of the second stator vane. A detailed insight and understanding of the blade row interactions at these regimes is sought. Steady and time-resolved pressure measurements on the airfoil as well as inlet and outlet hot-film traverses at identical Reynolds number are performed for the midspan streamline. The results are compared with unsteady multistage computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predictions. Simulations agree well with the experimental data and allow detailed insights in the time-resolved flow-field. Airfoil pressure field responses are found to increase with positive incidence whereas at negative incidence the magnitude remains unchanged. Different pressure to suction side (SS) phasing is observed for the studied regimes. The assessment of unsteady blade forces reveals that changes in unsteady lift are minor compared to changes in axial force components. These increase with increasing positive incidence. The wake-interactions are predominating the blade responses in all regimes. For the positive incidence conditions, vane 1 passage vortex fluid is involved in the midspan passage interaction, leading to a more distorted three-dimensional (3D) flow field.

Experiments With Three-Dimensional Passive Flow Control Devices on Low-Pressure Turbine Airfoils

2004 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas G. Bohl ◽  
Ralph J. Volino
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Flow Control ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Turbine Airfoils

The effectiveness of three-dimensional passive devices for flow control on low pressure turbine airfoils was investigated experimentally. A row of small cylinders was placed at the pressure minimum on the suction side of a typical airfoil. Cases with Reynolds numbers ranging from 25,000 to 300,000 (based on suction surface length and exit velocity) were considered under low freestream turbulence conditions. Streamwise pressure profiles and velocity profiles near the trailing edge were documented. Without flow control a separation bubble was present, and at the lower Reynolds numbers the bubble did not close. Cylinders with two different heights and a wide range of spanwise spacings were considered. Reattachment moved upstream as the cylinder height was increased or the spacing was decreased. If the spanwise spacing was sufficiently small, the flow at the trailing edge was essentially uniform across the span. The cylinder size and spacing could be optimized to minimize losses at a given Reynolds number, but cylinders optimized for low Reynolds number conditions caused increased losses at high Reynolds numbers. The effectiveness of two-dimensional bars had been studied previously under the same flow conditions. The cylinders were not as effective for maintaining low losses over a range of Reynolds numbers as the bars.

Experiments With Three Dimensional Passive Flow Control Devices on Low-Pressure Turbine Airfoils

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas G. Bohl ◽  
Ralph J. Volino
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Flow Control ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Turbine Airfoils

The effectiveness of three dimensional passive devices for flow control on low pressure turbine airfoils was investigated experimentally. A row of small cylinders was placed at the pressure minimum on the suction side of a typical airfoil. Cases with Reynolds numbers ranging from 25,000 to 300,000 (based on suction surface length and exit velocity) were considered under low freestream turbulence conditions. Streamwise pressure profiles and velocity profiles near the trailing edge were documented. Without flow control a separation bubble was present, and at the lower Reynolds numbers the bubble did not close. Cylinders with two different heights and a wide range of spanwise spacings were considered. Reattachment moved upstream as the cylinder height was increased or the spacing was decreased. If the spanwise spacing was sufficiently small, the flow at the trailing edge was essentially uniform across the span. The cylinder size and spacing could be optimized to minimize losses at a given Reynolds number, but cylinders optimized for low Reynolds number conditions caused increased losses at high Reynolds numbers. The effectiveness of two-dimensional bars had been studied previously under the same flow conditions. The cylinders were not as effective for maintaining low losses over a range of Reynolds numbers as the bars.

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.

Transition Mechanisms in Laminar Separated Flow Under Simulated Low Pressure Turbine Aerofoil Conditions

2012 ◽  
Vol 135 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerrit Dähnert ◽  
Christoph Lyko ◽  
Dieter Peitsch
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Separated Flow ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Main Flow ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine

Based on detailed experimental work conducted at a low speed test facility, this paper describes the transition process in the presence of a separation bubble with low Reynolds number, low free-stream turbulence, and steady main flow conditions. A pressure distribution has been created on a long flat plate by means of a contoured wall opposite of the plate, matching the suction side of a modern low-pressure turbine aerofoil. The main flow conditions for four Reynolds numbers, based on suction surface length and nominal exit velocity, were varied from 80,000 to 300,000, which covers the typical range of flight conditions. Velocity profiles and the overall flow field were acquired in the boundary layer at several streamwise locations using hot-wire anemometry. The data given is in the form of contours for velocity, turbulence intensity, and turbulent intermittency. The results highlight the effects of Reynolds number, the mechanisms of separation, transition, and reattachment, which feature laminar separation-long bubble and laminar separation-short bubble modes. For each Reynolds number, the onset of transition, the transition length, and the general characteristics of separated flow are determined. These findings are compared to the measurement results found in the literature. Furthermore, the experimental data is compared with two categories of correlation functions also given in the literature: (1) correlations predicting the onset of transition and (2) correlations predicting the mode of separated flow transition. Moreover, it is shown that the type of instability involved corresponds to the inviscid Kelvin-Helmholtz instability mode at a dominant frequency that is in agreement with the typical ranges occurring in published studies of separated and free-shear layers.

Experimental Study on the Effect of Clocking on the Propagation of Inflow Pressure Distortions in a Low Pressure Turbine Stage

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Simonassi ◽  
M. Zenz ◽  
P. Bruckner ◽  
S. Pramstrahler ◽  
F. Heitmeir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Vibration Characteristics ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Turbine Stage ◽  
Rotor Vibration ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The design of modern aero engines enhances the interaction between components and facilitates the propagation of circumferential distortions of total pressure and temperature. As a consequence, the inlet conditions of a real turbine have significant spatial non-uniformities, which have direct consequences on both its aerodynamic and vibration characteristics. This work presents the results of an experimental study on the effects of different inlet total pressure distortion-stator clocking positions on the propagation of total pressure inflow disturbances through a low pressure turbine stage, with a particular focus on both the aerodynamic and aeroelastic performance. Measurements at a stable engine relevant operating condition and during transient operation were carried out in a one and a half stage subsonic turbine test facility at the Institute of Thermal Turbomachinery and Machine Dynamics at Graz University of Technology. A localised total pressure distortion was generated upstream of the stage in three different azimuthal positions relative to the stator vanes. The locations were chosen in order to align the distortion directly with a vane leading edge, suction side and pressure side. Additionally, a setup with clean inflow was used as reference. Steady and unsteady aerodynamic measurements were taken downstream of the investigated stage by means of a five-hole-probe (5HP) and a fast response aerodynamic pressure probe (FRAPP) respectively. Strain gauges applied on different blades were used in combination with a telemetry system to acquire the rotor vibration data. The aerodynamic interactions between the stator and rotor rows and the circumferential perturbation were studied through the identification of the main structures constituting the flow field. This showed that the steady and unsteady alterations created by the distortion in the flow field lead to modifications of the rotor vibration characteristics. Moreover, the importance of the impact that the pressure distortion azimuthal position has on the LPT stage aerodynamics and vibrations was highlighted.

Transition Mechanisms in Laminar Separated Flow Under Simulated Low Pressure Turbine Airfoil Conditions

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerrit Da¨hnert ◽  
Christoph Lyko ◽  
Dieter Peitsch
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Separated Flow ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Main Flow ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine

Based on detailed experimental work conducted at a low speed test facility, this paper describes the transition process in the presence of a separation bubble with low Reynolds number, low free-stream turbulence, and steady main flow conditions. A pressure distribution has been created on a long flat plate by means of a contoured wall opposite of the plate, matching the suction side of a modern low-pressure turbine aerofoil. The main flow conditions for four Reynolds numbers, based on suction surface length and nominal exit velocity, were varied from 80,000 to 300,000, which covers the typical range of flight conditions. Velocity profiles and the overall flow field were acquired in the boundary layer at several streamwise locations using hot-wire anemometry. The data given is in the form of contours for velocity, turbulence intensity, and turbulent intermittency. The results highlight the effects of Reynolds number, the mechanisms of separation, transition, and reattachment, which feature laminar separation-long bubble and laminar separation-short bubble modes. For each Reynolds number, the onset of transition, the transition length, and the general characteristics of separated flow are determined. These findings are compared to the measurement results found in the literature. Furthermore, the experimental data is compared with two categories of correlation functions also given in the open literature: (1) correlations predicting the onset of transition and (2) correlations predicting the mode of separated flow transition. Moreover, it is shown that the type of instability involved corresponds to the inviscid Kelvin-Helmholtz instability mode at a dominant frequency that is in agreement with the typical ranges occurring in published studies of separated and free-shear layers.

The Influence of Reynolds Number, Mach Number and Incidence Effects on Loss Production in Low Pressure Turbine Airfoils

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rau´l Va´zquez ◽  
Antonio Antoranz ◽  
David Cadrecha ◽  
Leyre Arman˜anzas
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Mach Number ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Flow Features ◽  
Mach Numbers ◽  
Turbine Airfoils ◽  
Annular Cascade ◽  
The Impact

This paper presents an experimental study of the flow field in an annular cascade of Low Pressure Turbine airfoils. The influence of Reynolds number, Mach number and incidence on profile and end wall losses have been investigated. The annular cascade consisted of 100 high lift, high aspect ratio, high turning blades that are characteristic of modern LP Turbines. The investigation was carried out for a wide range of Reynolds numbers, extending from 120k to 315k, exit Mach numbers, from 0.5 to 0.9, and incidences from −20 to +14 degrees. Results clearly indicate a significant effect of incidence and Mach number in secondary loss production; however, the Reynolds number shows it much weaker impact. It has also been found that the profile loss production is strongly influenced by both Reynolds and Mach numbers, being the impact of the incidence weaker. Finally, measured data suggest that, in order to properly reproduce the performance of these types of airfoils, annular cascades can be required as far as linear cascades may miss some essential flow features.

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Flow in a Low-Pressure Industrial Steam Turbine With Part-Span Connectors

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Häfele ◽  
Christoph Traxinger ◽  
Marius Grübel ◽  
Markus Schatz ◽  
Damian M. Vogt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Steam Turbine ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Engineering Practice ◽  
Cfd Model ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

An experimental and numerical study on the flow in a three-stage low-pressure (LP) industrial steam turbine is presented and analyzed. The investigated LP section features conical friction bolts in the last and a lacing wire in the penultimate rotor blade row. These part-span connectors (PSC) allow safe turbine operation over an extremely wide range and even in blade resonance condition. However, additional losses are generated which affect the performance of the turbine. In order to capture the impact of PSCs on the flow field, extensive measurements with pneumatic multihole probes in an industrial steam turbine test rig have been carried out. State-of-the-art three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) applying a nonequilibrium steam (NES) model is used to examine the aerothermodynamic effects of PSCs on the wet steam flow. The vortex system in coupled LP steam turbine rotor blading is discussed in this paper. In order to validate the CFD model, a detailed comparison between measurement data and steady-state CFD results is performed for several operating conditions. The investigation shows that the applied one-passage CFD model is able to capture the three-dimensional flow field in LP steam turbine blading with PSC and the total pressure reduction due to the PSC with a generally good agreement to measured values and is therefore sufficient for engineering practice.

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