Re-Ingestion of Upstream Egress in a 1.5-Stage Gas Turbine Rig

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Scobie ◽  
Fabian P. Hualca ◽  
Marios Patinios ◽  
Carl M. Sangan ◽  
J. Michael Owen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Operating Life ◽  
Annulus Flow ◽  
Purge Flow ◽  
Rotor Disk ◽  
First Time ◽  
Measured Mass ◽  
Insight Into

In gas turbines, rim seals are fitted at the periphery of stator and rotor discs to minimize the purge flow required to seal the wheel-space between the discs. Ingestion (or ingress) of hot mainstream gases through rim seals is a threat to the operating life and integrity of highly stressed components, particularly in the first-stage turbine. Egress of sealing flow from the first-stage can be re-ingested in downstream stages. This paper presents experimental results using a 1.5-stage test facility designed to investigate ingress into the wheel-spaces upstream and downstream of a rotor disk. Re-ingestion was quantified using measurements of CO2 concentration, with seeding injected into the upstream and downstream sealing flows. Here, a theoretical mixing model has been developed from first principles and validated by the experimental measurements. For the first time, a method to quantify the mass fraction of the fluid carried over from upstream egress into downstream ingress has been presented and measured; it was shown that this fraction increased as the downstream sealing flow rate increased. The upstream purge was shown to not significantly disturb the fluid dynamics but only partially mixes with the annulus flow near the downstream seal, with the ingested fluid emanating from the boundary layer on the blade platform. From the analogy between heat and mass transfer, the measured mass-concentration flux is equivalent to an enthalpy flux, and this re-ingestion could significantly reduce the adverse effect of ingress in the downstream wheel-space. Radial traverses using a concentration probe in and around the rim seal clearances provide insight into the complex interaction between the egress, ingress and mainstream flows.

Re-Ingestion of Upstream Egress in a 1.5-Stage Gas Turbine Rig

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Scobie ◽  
Fabian P. Hualca ◽  
Marios Patinios ◽  
Carl M. Sangan ◽  
J. Michael Owen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
First Principles ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Operating Life ◽  
Annulus Flow ◽  
Purge Flow ◽  
First Time ◽  
Measured Mass ◽  
Insight Into

In gas turbines, rim seals are fitted at the periphery of stator and rotor discs to minimise the purge flow required to seal the wheel-space between the discs. Ingestion (or ingress) of hot mainstream gases through rim seals is a threat to the operating life and integrity of highly-stressed components, particularly in the first-stage turbine. Egress of sealing flow from the first-stage can be re-ingested in downstream stages. This paper presents experimental results using a 1.5-stage test facility designed to investigate ingress into the wheel-spaces upstream and downstream of a rotor disc. Re-ingestion was quantified using measurements of CO2 concentration, with seeding injected into the upstream and downstream sealing flows. Here a theoretical mixing model has been developed from first principles and validated by the experimental measurements. For the first time, a method to quantify the mass fraction of the fluid carried over from upstream egress into downstream ingress has been presented and measured; it was shown that this fraction increased as the downstream sealing flow rate increased. The upstream purge was shown to not significantly disturb the fluid dynamics but only partially mixes with the annulus flow near the downstream seal, with the ingested fluid emanating from the boundary layer on the blade platform. From the analogy between heat and mass transfer, the measured mass-concentration flux is equivalent to an enthalpy flux and this re-ingestion could significantly reduce the adverse effect of ingress in the downstream wheel-space. Radial traverses using a concentration probe in and around the rim seal clearances provide insight into the complex interaction between the egress, ingress and mainstream flows.

Measurements and Modeling of Ingress in a New 1.5-Stage Turbine Research Facility

2016 ◽  
Vol 139 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marios Patinios ◽  
James A. Scobie ◽  
Carl M. Sangan ◽  
J. Michael Owen ◽  
Gary D. Lock
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Radial Clearance ◽  
Operating Life ◽  
The Core ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Purge Flow ◽  
Rotor Disk ◽  
Engine Components

In gas turbines, hot mainstream flow can be ingested into the wheel-space formed between stator and rotor disks as a result of the circumferential pressure asymmetry in the annulus; this ingress can significantly affect the operating life, performance, and integrity of highly stressed, vulnerable engine components. Rim seals, fitted at the periphery of the disks, are used to minimize ingress and therefore reduce the amount of purge flow required to seal the wheel-space and cool the disks. This paper presents experimental results from a new 1.5-stage test facility designed to investigate ingress into the wheel-spaces upstream and downstream of a rotor disk. The fluid-dynamically scaled rig operates at incompressible flow conditions, far removed from the harsh environment of the engine which is not conducive to experimental measurements. The test facility features interchangeable rim-seal components, offering significant flexibility and expediency in terms of data collection over a wide range of sealing flow rates. The rig was specifically designed to enable an efficient method of ranking and quantifying the performance of generic and engine-specific seal geometries. The radial variation of CO2 gas concentration, pressure, and swirl is measured to explore, for the first time, the flow structure in both the upstream and downstream wheel-spaces. The measurements show that the concentration in the core is equal to that on the stator walls and that both distributions are virtually invariant with radius. These measurements confirm that mixing between ingress and egress is essentially complete immediately after the ingested fluid enters the wheel-space and that the fluid from the boundary layer on the stator is the source of that in the core. The swirl in the core is shown to determine the radial distribution of pressure in the wheel-space. The performance of a double radial-clearance seal is evaluated in terms of the variation of effectiveness with sealing flow rate for both the upstream and the downstream wheel-spaces and is found to be independent of rotational Reynolds number. A simple theoretical orifice model was fitted to the experimental data showing good agreement between theory and experiment for all cases. This observation is of great significance as it demonstrates that the theoretical model can accurately predict ingress even when it is driven by the complex unsteady pressure field in the annulus upstream and downstream of the rotor. The combination of the theoretical model and the new test rig with its flexibility and capability for detailed measurements provides a powerful tool for the engine rim-seal designer.

Measurements and Modelling of Ingress in a New 1.5-Stage Turbine Research Facility

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marios Patinios ◽  
James A. Scobie ◽  
Carl M. Sangan ◽  
J. Michael Owen ◽  
Gary D. Lock
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Radial Clearance ◽  
Operating Life ◽  
The Core ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Purge Flow ◽  
Engine Components ◽  
First Time

In gas turbines, hot mainstream flow can be ingested into the wheel-space formed between stator and rotor discs as a result of the circumferential pressure asymmetry in the annulus; this ingress can significantly affect the operating life, performance and integrity of highly-stressed, vulnerable engine components. Rim seals, fitted at the periphery of the discs, are used to minimise ingress and therefore reduce the amount of purge flow required to seal the wheel-space and cool the discs. This paper presents experimental results from a new 1.5-stage test facility designed to investigate ingress into the wheel-spaces upstream and downstream of a rotor disc. The fluid-dynamically-scaled rig operates at incompressible flow conditions, far removed from the harsh environment of the engine which is not conducive to experimental measurements. The test facility features interchangeable rim-seal components, offering significant flexibility and expediency in terms of data collection over a wide range of sealing-flow rates. The rig was specifically designed to enable an efficient method of ranking and quantifying the performance of generic and engine-specific seal geometries. The radial variation of CO2 gas concentration, pressure and swirl is measured to explore, for the first time, the flow structure in both the upstream and downstream wheel-spaces. The measurements show that the concentration in the core is equal to that on the stator walls and that both distributions are virtually invariant with radius. These measurements confirm that mixing between ingress and egress is essentially complete immediately after the ingested fluid enters the wheel-space and that the fluid from the boundary-layer on the stator is the source of that in the core. The swirl in the core is shown to determine the radial distribution of pressure in the wheel-space. The performance of a double radial-clearance seal is evaluated in terms of the variation of effectiveness with sealing flow rate for both the upstream and the downstream wheel-spaces and is found to be independent of rotational Reynolds number. A simple theoretical orifice model was fitted to the experimental data showing good agreement between theory and experiment for all cases. This observation is of great significance as it demonstrates that the theoretical model can accurately predict ingress even when it is driven by the complex unsteady pressure field in the annulus upstream and downstream of the rotor. The combination of the theoretical model and the new test rig with its flexibility and capability for detailed measurements provides a powerful tool for the engine rim-seal designer.

An Advanced Single-Stage Turbine Facility for Investigating Non-Axisymmetric Contoured Endwalls in the Presence of Purge Flow

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin R. Jones ◽  
Oliver J. Pountney ◽  
Bjorn L. Cleton ◽  
Liam E. Wood ◽  
B. Deneys J. Schreiner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Static Pressure ◽  
Optical Measurement ◽  
Guide Vane ◽  
Single Stage ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Pressure Distributions ◽  
Mainstream Flow ◽  
Purge Flow ◽  
Nozzle Guide

Abstract In modern gas turbines, endwall contouring (EWC) is employed to modify the static pressure field downstream of the vanes and minimise the growth of secondary flow structures developed in the blade passage. Purge flow (or egress) from the upstream rim-seal interferes with the mainstream flow, adding to the loss generated in the rotor. Despite this, EWC is typically designed without consideration of mainstream-egress interactions. The performance gains offered by EWC can be reduced, or in the limit eliminated, when purge air is considered. In addition, EWC can result in a reduction in sealing effectiveness across the rim seal. Consequently, industry is pursuing a combined design approach that encompasses the rim-seal, seal-clearance profile and EWC on the rotor endwall. This paper presents the design of, and preliminary results from a new single-stage axial turbine facility developed to investigate the fundamental fluid dynamics of egress-mainstream flow interactions. To the authors’ knowledge this is the only test facility in the world capable of investigating the interaction effects between cavity flows, rim seals and EWC. The design of optical measurement capabilities for future studies, employing volumetric velocimetry and planar laser induced fluorescence are also presented. The fluid-dynamically scaled rig operates at benign pressures and temperatures suited to these techniques and is modular. The facility enables expedient interchange of EWC (integrated into the rotor bling), blade-fillet and rim-seals geometries. The measurements presented in this paper include: gas concentration effectiveness and swirl measurements on the stator wall and in the wheel-space core; pressure distributions around the nozzle guide vanes at three different spanwise locations; pitchwise static pressure distributions downstream of the nozzle guide vane at four axial locations on the stator platform.

Design of an Improved Turbine Rim-Seal

2015 ◽  
Vol 138 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Scobie ◽  
Roy Teuber ◽  
Yan Sheng Li ◽  
Carl M. Sangan ◽  
Michael Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Computational Time ◽  
Gas Concentration ◽  
Engine Design ◽  
Successful Design ◽  
Purge Flow ◽  
Rotor Disk ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Improved Performance

Rim seals are fitted in gas turbines at the periphery of the wheel-space formed between rotor disks and their adjacent casings. These seals, also called platform overlap seals, reduce the ingress of hot gases which can limit the life of highly stressed components in the engine. This paper describes the development of a new, patented rim-seal concept showing improved performance relative to a reference engine design, using unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) computations of a turbine stage at engine conditions. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study was limited to a small number of purge-flow rates due to computational time and cost, and the computations were validated experimentally at a lower rotational Reynolds number and in conditions under incompressible flow. The new rim seal features a stator-side angel wing and two buffer cavities between outer and inner seals: the angel-wing promotes a counter-rotating vortex to reduce the effect of the ingress on the stator; the two buffer cavities are shown to attenuate the circumferential pressure asymmetries of the fluid ingested from the mainstream annulus. Rotor disk pumping is exploited to reduce the sealing flow rate required to prevent ingress, with the rotor boundary layer also providing protective cooling. Measurements of gas concentration and swirl ratio, determined from static and total pressure, were used to assess the performance of the new seal concept relative to a benchmark generic seal. The radial variation of concentration through the seal was measured in the experiments and these data captured the improvements due to the intermediate buffer cavities predicted by the CFD. This successful design approach is a potent combination of insight provided by computation, and the flexibility and expedience provided by experiment.

An Advanced Single-Stage Turbine Facility for Investigating Nonaxisymmetric Contoured Endwalls in the Presence of Purge Flow

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin R. Jones ◽  
Oliver J. Pountney ◽  
Bjorn L. Cleton ◽  
Liam E. Wood ◽  
B. Deneys J. Schreiner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Static Pressure ◽  
Optical Measurement ◽  
Single Stage ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Pressure Distributions ◽  
Mainstream Flow ◽  
Planar Laser ◽  
Flow Interactions ◽  
Purge Flow

Abstract In modern gas turbines, endwall contouring (EWC) is employed to modify the static pressure field downstream of the vanes and minimize the growth of secondary flow structures developed in the blade passage. Purge flow (or egress) from the upstream rim-seal interferes with the mainstream flow, adding to the loss generated in the rotor. Despite this, EWC is typically designed without consideration of mainstream–egress interactions. The performance gains offered by EWC can be reduced, or in the limit eliminated, when purge air is considered. In addition, EWC can result in a reduction in sealing effectiveness across the rim seal. Consequently, industry is pursuing a combined design approach that encompasses the rim-seal, seal-clearance profile, and EWC on the rotor endwall. This paper presents the design of and preliminary results from a new single-stage axial turbine facility developed to investigate the fundamental fluid dynamics of egress–mainstream flow interactions. To the authors' knowledge, this is the only test facility in the world capable of investigating the interaction effects between cavity flows, rim seals, and EWC. The design of optical measurement capabilities for future studies, employing volumetric velocimetry (VV) and planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF), is also presented. The fluid-dynamically scaled rig operates at benign pressures and temperatures suited to these techniques and is modular. The facility enables expedient interchange of EWC (integrated into the rotor bling), blade-fillet and rim-seal geometries. The measurements presented in this paper include: gas concentration effectiveness and swirl measurements on the stator wall and in the wheel-space core; pressure distributions around the nozzle guide vanes (NGV) at three different spanwise locations; pitchwise static pressure distributions downstream of the NGV at four axial locations on the stator platform.

Modulation and Radial Migration of Turbine Hub Cavity Modes by the Rim Seal Purge Flow

2016 ◽  
Vol 139 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Schädler ◽  
A. I. Kalfas ◽  
R. S. Abhari ◽  
G. Schmid ◽  
S. Voelker
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Loss Mechanism ◽  
Axial Turbine ◽  
Pressure Transducers ◽  
Aerodynamic Loss ◽  
Numerical Predictions ◽  
Cavity Modes ◽  
Annulus Flow ◽  
Purge Flow

In the present paper, the results of an experimental and numerical investigation of the hub cavity modes and their migration into the main annulus flow are presented. A one-and-a-half stage, unshrouded and highly loaded axial turbine configuration with three-dimensionally shaped blades and cylindrical end walls has been tested in an axial turbine facility. Both the blade design and the rim seal purge flow path are representative to modern high-pressure gas turbines. The unsteady flow field at the hub cavity exit region has been measured with the fast-response aerodynamic probe (FRAP) for two different rim seal purge flow rates. Furthermore, fast-response wall-mounted pressure transducers have been installed inside the cavity. Unsteady full-annular computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations have been employed in order to complement the experimental work. The time-resolved pressure measurements inside the hub cavity reveal clear cavity modes, which show a strong dependency on the injected amount of rim seal purge flow. The numerical predictions provide information on the origin of these modes and relate them to pronounced ingestion spots around the circumference. The unsteady probe measurements at the rim seal interface show that the signature of the hub cavity induced modes migrates into the main annulus flow up to 30% blade span. Based on that, an aerodynamic loss mechanism has been found, showing that the benefit in loss reduction by decreasing the rim seal purge flow rate is weakened by the presence of turbine hub cavity modes.

Egress Interaction Through Turbine Rim Seals

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Scobie ◽  
Fabian P. Hualca ◽  
Carl M. Sangan ◽  
Gary D. Lock
Keyword(s):  
Film Cooling ◽  
Outer Region ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Cfd Validation ◽  
Engine Efficiency ◽  
Purge Flow ◽  
Cooling Air ◽  
End Wall ◽  
First Time

Engine designers require accurate predictions of ingestion (or ingress) principally caused by circumferential pressure asymmetry in the mainstream annulus. Cooling air systems provide purge flow designed to limit metal temperatures and protect vulnerable components from the hot gases which would otherwise be entrained into disc cavities through clearances between rotating and static discs. Rim seals are fitted at the periphery of these discs to minimise purge. The mixing between the efflux of purge (or egress) and the mainstream gases near the hub end-wall results in a deterioration of aerodynamic performance. This paper presents experimental results using a turbine test rig with wheel-spaces upstream and downstream of a rotor disc. Ingress and egress was quantified using a CO2 concentration probe, with seeding injected into the upstream and downstream sealing flows. The probe measurements have identified an outer region in the wheel-space and confirmed the expected flow structure. For the first time, asymmetric variations of concentration have been shown to penetrate through the seal clearance and the outer portion of the wheel-space between the discs. For a given flow coefficient in the annulus, the concentration profiles were invariant with rotational Reynolds number. The measurements also reveal that the egress provides a film-cooling benefit on the vane and rotor platforms. Further, these measurements provide unprecedented insight into the flow interaction, and provide quantitative data for CFD validation, which should help reduce the use of purge and improve engine efficiency.

Design Optimization of a Retractable Holder for Compressor Discharge Brush Seal

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omprakash Samudrala ◽  
Siddarth Kumar ◽  
Christopher E. Wolfe ◽  
Raymond E. Chupp
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Flow ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Thermal Response ◽  
Flow Path ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Operating Life ◽  
Design And Optimization ◽  
Design Variables ◽  
Brush Seal ◽  
Purge Flow

In many industrial gas turbines, a portion of the compressor discharge air is extracted through a secondary flow path to aid the cooling of critical turbine components as well as to supplement purge flow for preventing hot gas ingestion in the first forward turbine bucket wheel space. GE has developed advanced brush seals for controlling the amount of cooling/purge flow passing through this secondary flow path (also called the high pressure packing (HPP) circuit) and has successfully implemented them in the field in a variety of E, F & H class gas turbines. During turbine shutdown, due to a lag in thermal response between the rotor and the stator, interference can result between brush seal bristles and the rotor surface causing significant amounts of wear. This wear can accumulate over several start up / shut down cycles resulting in an increased secondary flow through the HPP circuit and thus a loss in turbine efficiency and power output. In order to alleviate this situation, a seal holder has been designed to passively retract the HPP brush seal, from a low clearance position to a high clearance position, during turbine shut down and thus prevent seal interference/wear. This paper delves into the design and optimization of a retractable seal. An analytical model was developed to predict the seal motion during startup and shutdown of the turbine. Critical geometry and design parameters affecting seal closure and retraction behavior were identified. In addition, criteria for stability of seal motion were developed and the design was optimized to meet these requirements. Seal wear during turbine shutdown is avoided by ensuring that the seal retracts faster than the rate of thermally induced interference. The effect of design variables was minimized to ensure seal closure and retraction behavior does not vary significantly over the operating life of the seal. Model predictions were validated by subscale rig tests performed in the laboratory.

Egress Interaction Through Turbine Rim Seals

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Scobie ◽  
Fabian P. Hualca ◽  
Carl M. Sangan ◽  
Gary D. Lock
Keyword(s):  
Film Cooling ◽  
Outer Region ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Cfd Validation ◽  
Engine Efficiency ◽  
Purge Flow ◽  
Rotor Disk ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Cooling Air

Engine designers require accurate predictions of ingestion (or ingress) principally caused by circumferential pressure asymmetry in the mainstream annulus. Cooling air systems provide purge flow designed to limit metal temperatures and protect vulnerable components from the hot gases which would otherwise be entrained into disk cavities through clearances between rotating and static disks. Rim seals are fitted at the periphery of these disks to minimize purge. The mixing between the efflux of purge (or egress) and the mainstream gases near the hub end-wall results in a deterioration of aerodynamic performance. This paper presents experimental results using a turbine test rig with wheel-spaces upstream and downstream of a rotor disk. Ingress and egress was quantified using a CO2 concentration probe, with seeding injected into the upstream and downstream sealing flows. The probe measurements have identified an outer region in the wheel-space and confirmed the expected flow structure. For the first time, asymmetric variations of concentration have been shown to penetrate through the seal clearance and the outer portion of the wheel-space between the disks. For a given flow coefficient in the annulus, the concentration profiles were invariant with rotational Reynolds number. The measurements also reveal that the egress provides a film-cooling benefit on the vane and rotor platforms. Further, these measurements provide unprecedented insight into the flow interaction and provide quantitative data for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) validation, which should help to reduce the use of purge and improve engine efficiency.

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