scholarly journals Detailed Measurements of Three-Dimensional Flows and Losses Inside an Axial Flow Turbine Rotor

1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsumasa Yamamoto ◽  
Junichi Tomlnaga ◽  
Takayuki Matsunuma ◽  
Eisuke Outa
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Frame Of Reference ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Generation Process ◽  
Rotating Frame ◽  
Rotor Speed ◽  
Speed Variation

Detailed traverse measurements of three dimensional flows and the associated losses inside a turbine rotor passage were carried out in the rotating frame of reference by using small five hole Pitot tubes. Strong secondary flows including passage vortices, a leakage vortex and various separation vortices were found to occur in the passage, and they are significantly influenced by the rotor speed, variation of which corresponds to different test incidences and blade loadings. Loss generation process in the rotor is described in relation to the migration of low energy fluids which are driven by the various vortices and their interaction at different rotor incidences.

scholarly journals Steady flow separation patterns in a 45 degree junction

2000 ◽  
Vol 411 ◽  
pp. 1-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. ROSS ETHIER ◽  
SUJATA PRAKASH ◽  
DAVID A. STEINMAN ◽  
RICHARD L. LEASK ◽  
GREGORY G. COUCH ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Separation ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Bypass Graft ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Symmetry Plane ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Measured Velocity ◽  
Curved Tube

Numerical and experimental techniques were used to study the physics of flow separation for steady internal flow in a 45° junction geometry, such as that observed between two pipes or between the downstream end of a bypass graft and an artery. The three-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations were solved using a validated finite element code, and complementary experiments were performed using the photochromic dye tracer technique. Inlet Reynolds numbers in the range 250 to 1650 were considered. An adaptive mesh refinement approach was adopted to ensure grid-independent solutions. Good agreement was observed between the numerical results and the experimentally measured velocity fields; however, the wall shear stress agreement was less satisfactory. Just distal to the ‘toe’ of the junction, axial flow separation was observed for all Reynolds numbers greater than 250. Further downstream (approximately 1.3 diameters from the toe), the axial flow again separated for Re [ges ] 450. The location and structure of axial flow separation in this geometry is controlled by secondary flows, which at sufficiently high Re create free stagnation points on the model symmetry plane. In fact, separation in this flow is best explained by a secondary flow boundary layer collision model, analogous to that proposed for flow in the entry region of a curved tube. Novel features of this flow include axial flow separation at modest Re (as compared to flow in a curved tube, where separation occurs only at much higher Re), and the existence and interaction of two distinct three-dimensional separation zones.

Three-Dimensional Navier-Stokes Analysis of Turbine Rotor and Tip-Leakage Flowfield

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Luo ◽  
B. Lakshminarayana
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Tip Leakage Flow ◽  
Tip Leakage ◽  
Blade Tip

The 3-D viscous flowfield in the rotor passage of a single-stage turbine, including the tip-leakage flow, is computed using a Navier-Stokes procedure. A grid-generation code has been developed to obtain embedded H grids inside the rotor tip gap. The blade tip geometry is accurately modeled without any “pinching”. Chien’s low-Reynolds-number k-ε model is employed for turbulence closure. Both the mean-flow and turbulence transport equations are integrated in time using a four-stage Runge-Kutta scheme. The computational results for the entire turbine rotor flow, particularly the tip-leakage flow and the secondary flows, are interpreted and compared with available data. The predictions for major features of the flowfield are found to be in good agreement with the data. Complicated interactions between the tip-clearance flows and the secondary flows are examined in detail. The effects of endwall rotation on the development and interaction of secondary and tip-leakage vortices are also analyzed.

Influences of Axial Gap Between Blade Rows on Secondary Flows and Aerodynamic Performance in a Turbine Stage

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Yamada ◽  
K. Funazaki ◽  
M. Kikuchi ◽  
H. Sato
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Axial Direction ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Turbine Stage ◽  
Stator Vane ◽  
Is Design ◽  
Probe Measurements

A study on the effects of the axial gap between stator and rotor upon the stage performance and flow field of a single axial flow turbine stage is presented in this paper. Three axial gaps were tested, which were achieved by moving the stator vane in the axial direction while keeping the disk cavity constant. The effect of the axial gap was investigated at two different conditions, that is design and off-design conditions. The unsteady three-dimensional flow field was analyzed by time-accurate RANS (Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes) simulations. The simulation results were compared with the experiments, in which total pressure and the time-averaged flow field upstream and downstream of the rotor were obtained by five-hole probe measurements. The effect of the axial gap was confirmed in the endwall regions, and obtained relatively at off-design condition. The turbine stage efficiency was improved almost linearly by reducing the axial gap at the off-design condition.

Visualization Study of Flow in Axial Flow Inducer

1972 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 777-787 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Lakshminarayana
Keyword(s):  
Radial Velocity ◽  
Secondary Flow ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Flow Theory ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Flow Through

A visualization study of the flow through a three ft dia model of a four bladed inducer, which is operated in air at a flow coefficient of 0.065, is reported in this paper. The flow near the blade surfaces, inside the rotating passages, downstream and upstream of the inducer is visualized by means of smoke, tufts, ammonia filament, and lampblack techniques. Flow is found to be highly three dimensional, with appreciable radial velocity throughout the entire passage. The secondary flows observed near the hub and annulus walls agree with qualitative predictions obtained from the inviscid secondary flow theory. Based on these investigations, methods of modeling the flow are discussed.

Computational Validation of the Flow Through a Turbine Stage and the Effects of Rim Seal Cavity Leakage on Secondary Flows

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Özhan H. Turgut ◽  
Cengiz Camcı
Keyword(s):  
Validation Study ◽  
Guide Vane ◽  
Pressure Coefficient ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Transitional Flow ◽  
Interface Plane ◽  
Exit Plane ◽  
Computational Validation

A computational validation study related to aerodynamic loss generation mechanisms is performed in an axial flow turbine. The 91.66 cm diameter axial flow turbine research facility has a stationary nozzle guide vane assembly and a 29 bladed HP turbine rotor. The NGV inlet and exit Reynolds numbers based on midspan axial chord are around 300000 and 900000, respectively. GRIDPRO is used as the structured grid generator. y+ values are kept below unity. The finite-volume flow solver ANSYS CFX with SST k–ω turbulence model together with the transitional flow model is employed. Experimental flow conditions are imposed at the boundaries. The computational predictions are compared to experimental data at NGV exit plane and rotor inlet plane. NGV exit plane measurements come from a previous experimental study with a five-hole probe and the data at rotor inlet plane is taken by the current authors using a Kiel probe with 3.175mm head diameter. The comparison of rotor-stator interface models shows that the stage model, which calculates the circumferentially averaged fluxes and uses as the boundary condition at the interface plane, agrees well with the experimental total pressure coefficient data at the NGV exit. The difference between the NGV only simulation and the rotor-stator simulation is emphasized. The effect of rim seal flow on the mainstream aerodynamics is investigated. This validation study shows that the effect of future geometrical modifications on the endwalls and the vane will be predicted reasonably accurately.

Nonaxisymmetric Turbine End Wall Design: Part I— Three-Dimensional Linear Design System

1999 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 278-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil W. Harvey ◽  
Martin G. Rose ◽  
Mark D. Taylor ◽  
Shahrokh Shahpar ◽  
Jonathan Hartland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Design System ◽  
Linear Superposition ◽  
Turbine Rotor Blade ◽  
End Wall

A linear design system, already in use for the forward and inverse design of three-dimensional turbine aerofoils, has been extended for the design of their end walls. This paper shows how this method has been applied to the design of a nonaxisymmetric end wall for a turbine rotor blade in linear cascade. The calculations show that nonaxisymmetric end wall profiling is a powerful tool for reducing secondary flows, in particular the secondary kinetic energy and exit angle deviations. Simple end wall profiling is shown to be at least as beneficial aerodynamically as the now standard techniques of differentially skewing aerofoil sections up the span, and (compound) leaning of the aerofoil. A design is presented that combines a number of end wall features aimed at reducing secondary loss and flow deviation. The experimental study of this geometry, aimed at validating the design method, is the subject of the second part of this paper. The effects of end wall perturbations on the flow field are calculated using a three-dimensional pressure correction based Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes CFD code. These calculations are normally performed overnight on a cluster of work stations. The design system then calculates the relationships between perturbations in the end wall and resulting changes in the flow field. With these available, linear superposition theory is used to enable the designer to investigate quickly the effect on the flow field of many combinations of end wall shapes (a matter of minutes for each shape). [S0889-504X(00)00902-8]

Unsteady Flow Field of an Axial-Flow Turbine Rotor at a Low Reynolds Number

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takayuki Matsunuma
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Unsteady Flow ◽  
Low Reynolds Number ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Frame Of Reference ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Low Reynolds ◽  
Secondary Vortices

The unsteady flow field of an annular turbine rotor was investigated experimentally using a laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) system. Detailed measurements of the time-averaged and time-resolved distributions of the velocity, flow angle, and turbulence intensity, etc. were carried out at a very low Reynolds number condition, Reout = 3.5 × 104. The data obtained were analyzed from the viewpoints of both an absolute (stationary) frame of reference and a relative (rotating) frame of reference. The effect of the turbine nozzle wake and secondary vortices on the flow field inside the rotor passage was clearly captured. It was found that the nozzle wake and secondary vortices are suddenly distorted at the rotor inlet, because of the rotating potential field of the rotor. The nozzle flow (wake and passage vortices) and the rotor flow (boundary layer, wake, tip leakage vortex, and passage vortices) interact intensively inside the rotor passage.

Performance of the Wells Turbine With Variable Pitch Rotor Blades

1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. C. Gato ◽  
L. R. C. Ec¸a ◽  
A. F. de O. Falca˜o
Keyword(s):  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Computational Method ◽  
Wells Turbine ◽  
Predicted Values ◽  
Energy Absorbing

The Wells turbine is an axial-flow air-turbine designed to extract energy from the ocean waves. The turbine is self-rectifying, i.e., produces an unidirectional time-averaged torque from a reciprocating flow. The paper describes an experimental investigation on the aerodynamic performance of a modified version of the Wells turbine, whose rotor blades can be set at varying angle (as in a Kaplan turbine) while the turbine is in motion. The purpose of the work is to investigate whether, and to what extent, the modification to the turbine can enable it to achieve phase control—a method of tuning the energy-absorbing device to the incident waves—and avoid aerodynamic stall on the turbine rotor blades at peaks of air flow rate under conditions of real irregular ocean waves. Experimental results obtained with a model turbine are compared with predicted values from a quasi-three-dimensional computational method of flow analysis.

Diffusion rate influences on inter-turbine diffusers

1997 ◽  
Vol 211 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Norris ◽  
R G Dominy
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Diffusion Rate ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Experimental Measurements ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Lp Turbine ◽  
Stage Efficiency

Inter-turbine diffusers are becoming of increasing importance to the aero gas turbine designer to diffuse the flow between the HP (high-pressure) or IP (intermediate-pressure) turbine and the LP (low-pressure) turbine. Diffusing the flow upstream of the LP turbine and raising the mean passage radius increases stage efficiency. These inter-turbine diffusers, which have high curvature, S-shaped geometry and low-energy wakes created by the upstream turbine, together give rise to secondary flows, making the flow fully three-dimensional. Using both experimental measurements and CFD (computational fluid dynamics) predictions, this paper demonstrates how the secondary flow behaviour is controlled by both the duct diffusion rate and upstream wake intensity.

Non-Axisymmetric Endwall Profiling in a Turbine Rotor Blade

1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Hartland ◽  
D. G. Gregory-Smith ◽  
M. G. Rose
Keyword(s):  
Rotor Blade ◽  
Pressure Field ◽  
Substantial Reduction ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Linear Cascade ◽  
Turbine Rotor Blade ◽  
Blade Row ◽  
Edge Location

A non-axisymmetric endwall profile has been designed using CFD with the aim of reducing endwall pressure non-uniformities downstream of a rotor blade. The purpose was to reduce coolant leakage as proposed by Rose (1994). This profile has been manufactured and fitted to the Durham linear cascade. The experimental endwall pressure distribution agrees very well with the CFD predictions giving a substantial reduction in pressure non-uniformity at the equivalent of the platform edge location downstream. Velocity and total pressure measurements have also been made within and downstream of the blade row to investigate the effects of the profile on the cascade secondary flow. Although the experimental results indicate no significant increase in the secondary flows, a small increase in loss is seen. The CFD predicts these trends also but to a smaller extent. This investigation suggests that with three-dimensional endwall design, the pressure field which provides the driving force of secondary flows can be modified without blade redesign.

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