Turbulence Amplification With Incidence at the Leading Edge of a Compressor Cascade

1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garth V. Hobson ◽  
Bryce E. Wakefield ◽  
William B. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Laser Doppler Velocimeter ◽  
Free Shear Layer ◽  
Compressor Cascade ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
High Turbulence

Detailed measurements, with a two-component laser-Doppler velocimeter and a thermal anemometer were made near the suction surface leading edge of Controlled-Diffusion airfoils in cascade. The Reynolds number was near 700,000, Mach number equal to 0.25, and freestream turbulence was at 1.5% ahead of the cascade. It was found that there was a localized region of high turbulence near the suction surface leading edge at high incidence. This turbulence amplification is thought to be due to the interaction of the free-shear layer with the freestream inlet turbulence. The presence of the local high turbulence affects the development of the short laminar separation bubble that forms very near the suction side leading edge of these blades. Calculations indicate that the local high levels of turbulence can cause rapid transition in the laminar bubble allowing it to reattach as a short “non-burst” type. The high turbulence, which can reach point values greater than 25% at high incidence, is the reason that leading edge laminar separation bubbles can reattach in the high pressure gradient regions near the leading edge. Two variations for inlet turbulence intensity were measured for this cascade. The first is the variation of maximum inlet turbulence with respect to inlet-flow angle; and the second is the variation of leading edge turbulence with respect to upstream distance from the leading edge of the blades.

scholarly journals Turbulence Amplification with Incidence at the Leading Edge of a Compressor Cascade

1999 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garth V. Hobson ◽  
Bryce E. Wakefield ◽  
William B. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Laser Doppler Velocimeter ◽  
Free Shear Layer ◽  
Compressor Cascade ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
High Turbulence

Detailed measurements, with a two-component laser-Doppler velocimeter and a thermal anemometer were made near the suction surface leading edge of controlled-diffusion airfoils in cascade. The Reynolds number was near 700,000, Mach number equal to 0.25, and freestream turbulence was at 1.5% ahead of the cascade.It was found that there was a localized region of high turbulence near the suction surface leading edge at high incidence. This turbulence amplification is thought to be due to the interaction of the free-shear layer with the freestream inlet turbulence. The presence of the local high turbulence affects the development of the short laminar separation bubble that forms very near the suction side leading edge of these blades. Calculations indicate that the local high levels of turbulence can cause rapid transition in the laminar bubble allowing it to reattach as a short “non-burst” type.The high turbulence, which can reach point values greater than 25% at high incidence, is the reason that leading edge laminar separation bubbles can reattach in the high pressure gradient regions near the leading edge. Two variations for inlet turbulence intensity were measured for this cascade. The first is the variation ofmaximum inlet turbulence with respect to inlet-flow angle; and the second is the variation of leading edge turbulence with respect to upstream distance from the leading edge of the blades.

The Measurement of Boundary Layers on a Compressor Blade in Cascade: Part 4 — Flow Fields for Incidence Angles of −1.5 and −8.5 Degrees

1989 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. C. Zierke ◽  
S. Deutsch
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Compressor Blade ◽  
Laser Doppler ◽  
Laser Doppler Velocimeter ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Pressure Surface

Measurements, made with laser Doppler velocimetry, about a double-circular-arc compressor blade in cascade are presented for −1.5 and −8.5 degree incidence angles and a chord Reynolds number near 500,000. Comparisons between the results of the current study and those of our earlier work at a 5.0 degree incidence are made. It is found that in spite of the relative sophistication of the measurement techniques, transition on the pressure surface at the −1.5 degree incidence is dominated by a separation “bubble” too small to be detected by the laser Doppler velocimeter. The development of the boundary layers at −1.5 and 5.0 degrees are found to be similar. In contrast to the flow at these two incidence angles, the leading edge separation “bubble” is on the pressure surface for the −8.5 degree incidence. Here, all of the measured boundary layers on the pressure surface are turbulent — but extremely thin — while on the suction surface, a laminar separation/turbulent reattachment “bubble” lies between roughly 35% and 60% chord. This “bubble” is quite thin, and some problems in interpreting backflow data.

The Measurement of Boundary Layers on a Compressor Blade in Cascade: Part 4—Flow Fields for Incidence Angles of −1.5 and −8.5 Degrees

1990 ◽  
Vol 112 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. C. Zierke ◽  
S. Deutsch
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Compressor Blade ◽  
Laser Doppler ◽  
Laser Doppler Velocimeter ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Pressure Surface

Measurements, made with laser Doppler velocimetry, about a double-circular-arc compressor blade in cascade are presented for −1.5 and −8.5 deg incidence angles and a chord Reynolds number near 500,000. Comparisons between the results of the current study and those of our earlier work at a 5.0 deg incidence are made. It is found that in spite of the relative sophistication of the measurement techniques, transition on the pressure surface at the −1.5 deg incidence is dominated by a separation “bubble” too small to be detected by the laser Doppler velocimeter. The development of the boundary layers at −1.5 and 5.0 deg is found to be similar. In contrast to the flow at these two incidence angles, the leading edge separation bubble is on the pressure surface for the −8.5 deg incidence. Here, all of the measured boundary layers on the pressure surface are turbulent—but extremely thin—while on the suction surface, a laminar separation/turbulent reattachment bubble lies between roughly 35 percent and 60 percent chord. This bubble is quite thin, and some problems in interpreting the backflow data are discussed.

The Effect of Reynolds Number and Laminar Separation on Axial Cascade Performance

1975 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. B. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Practical Method ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Compressor Cascade ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Semiempirical Theory

Testing over a range of Reynolds numbers was done for three NACA 65 Profiles in cascade. The testing was carried out in the VKI C-1 Low Speed Cascade Wind Tunnel; blade chord Reynolds number was varied from 250,000 to 40,000. A semiempirical theory is developed which will predict the behavior of the shear layer across a laminar separation bubble. The method is proposed for two-dimensional incompressible flow and is applicable down to short bubble bursting. The method can be used to predict the length of the laminar bubble, the bursting Reynolds number, and the development of the shear layer through the separated region. As such it is a practical method for calculating the profile losses of axial compressor and turbine cascades in the presence of laminar separation bubbles. It can also be used to predict the abrupt leading edge stall associated with thin airfoil sections. The predictions made by the method are compared with the available experimental data. The agreement could be considered good. The method was also used to predict regions of laminar separation in converging flows through axial compressor cascades (exterior to the corner vortices) with good results. For Reynolds numbers below bursting the semiempirical theory no longer applies. For this situation the performance of an axial compressor cascade can be computed using an empirical correlation proposed by the author. Comparison of performance prediction with experiment shows satisfactory agreement. Finally, a tentative correlation, based on the NACA Diffusion Factor, is presented that allows a rapid estimation of the bursting Reynolds number of an axial compressor cascade.

The Pervasive Effect of the Calmed Region

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Thomas ◽  
J. P. Gostelow
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Adverse Pressure Gradient ◽  
Laminar Separation Bubble ◽  
Free Shear Layer ◽  
Hot Wire ◽  
Strong Suppression ◽  
Velocity Fluctuations ◽  
Laminar Separation

Experiments have been conducted relating to the interaction of imposed freestream wakes upon a flat plate laminar separation bubble under an adverse pressure gradient. Controlled wakes, representative of those seen in turbomachinery environments, were used to investigate unsteadiness effects upon a separating boundary layer that undergoes natural transition in the free shear layer under steady conditions. Hot-wire anemometry using a single hot-wire has shown leading edge boundary layer disturbances induced under each passing wake, which grow steadily via by-pass and natural transition methods into turbulent strips that convect with the flow. These disturbances are of such strength that the separated region is resisted and effectively swept away by the passing turbulence, momentarily giving rise to a wholly attached laminar boundary layer. Controlling the chord-wise proximity of neighboring wakes allowed for the investigation of the effect and extent of the calmed region behind each induced turbulent strip. Measurements have shown that a strong suppression of velocity fluctuations is seen related to the proximity of the turbulent strips. Turbulence level reductions of up to 40% have been demonstrated as wake spacing is reduced. Even for those cases where systematic wakes are sufficiently close together to prevent the development of a visible calmed region, very strong calming influences are seen in the wake induced turbulent domain that would have normally been occupied by the calmed flow.

The Effect of Reduced Frequency on Transition and Separation at the Leading Edge of a Compressor Stator

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel C. T. Perkins ◽  
Alan D. Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Steady Flow ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Pressure Surface ◽  
Reduced Frequency ◽  
Wake Passing

Studies on the effects of stator reduced frequency in low pressure turbines have shown that periodic wake-induced unsteadiness can increase steady flow circulation by as much as 15% and reduce losses compared to a steady flow datum. A large separation bubble downstream of peak suction that formed under steady flow conditions was periodically suppressed by wake passing events, resulting in significantly reduced losses within the boundary layer. This research extends this concept to a controlled diffusion compressor stator blade with a circular arc leading edge. The blade was placed inside a large scale, two-dimensional, cascade with a rotating bar mechanism used to simulate an upstream rotor blade row. The blade profile has been shown to experience leading edge separations and subsequent transition on both the pressure and suction surfaces due to a velocity overspeed caused by discontinuities in surface curvature. Testing was carried out at reduced frequencies of 0.47, 0.94 and 1.88 at the design inlet flow angle 45.5° and Reynolds number based on chord of 230,000. The freestream turbulence intensity was 4.0%. A range of experimental measurements were used to look at the blade’s performance: high resolution time-averaged blade surface static pressure measurements, inlet and exit 3-hole probe traverses and instantaneous, ensemble averaged and time average surface mounted hot-film measurements for the calculation of turbulent intermittency and quasi wall-shear stress. Results showed that increasing the stator reduced frequency from, 0–1.88, increased the overall blade pressure loss. The losses generated by the pressure surface and suction surface differed significantly and are affected very differently. The pressure surface demonstrated a clear reduction in loss with an increase in reduced frequency whereas the opposite trend was seen on the suction surface. Wake-induced turbulent strips suppressed the formation of leading edge separation bubbles that formed under steady flow conditions and in between wake passing events. Wake-induced turbulent strips reduced in width and level of turbulent intermittency through the favorable pressure gradients leading to peak suction and grew in the adverse pressure gradient of the velocity overspeed. The flow between wake-induced turbulent strips partially relaminarised through the favorable pressure gradient leading to peak suction.

Numerical Simulation of Flow over a Thin Aerofoil at a High Reynolds Number Using a Transition Model

2010 ◽  
Vol 224 (10) ◽  
pp. 2155-2164 ◽  
Author(s):  
M S Genç
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
High Reynolds Number ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Transition Model ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Number Flow ◽  
High Reynolds

In this study, a prediction of the transition and stall characteristics of an NACA64A006 thin-aerofoil was numerically simulated by FLUENT using k— kL—ω and k—ω shear-stress transport (SST) transition models, recently developed, and k—ω SST and k—ε turbulence models. Subsonic flow with free stream Mach number ( M∞) of 0.17 and the high Reynolds number ( Re) of 5.8×106 was considered at an angle of attack varying from 2° to 11°. However, the computed results were compared with the experiments of McCollough and Gault. Lift and pressure curves were accurately predicted using the k— kL—ω transition model, while the k—ω SST transition model and the k—ω SST and k—ε turbulence models did not have a good agreement with the experimental results. The k— kL—ω transition model showed that the laminar separation and turbulent reattachment occurred near the leading edge of the NACA64A006 thin aerofoil, which caused the formation of the laminar separation bubble on the suction surface as in the experiments. Consequently, the transition and stalling characteristics of this aerofoil were successfully predicted using FLUENT with the k— kL—ω transition model at high Re number flow.

Effect of Leading Edge Roughness and Reynolds Number on Compressor Profile Loss

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ju Hyun Im ◽  
Ju Hyun Shin ◽  
Garth V. Hobson ◽  
Seung Jin Song ◽  
Knox T. Millsaps
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Laser Doppler Velocimeter ◽  
Compressor Cascade ◽  
Edge Roughness ◽  
Profile Loss

An experimental investigation has been conducted to characterize the influence of leading edge roughness and Reynolds number on compressor cascade profile loss. Tests have been conducted in a low-speed linear compressor cascade at Reynolds numbers between 210,000 and 640,000. Blade loading and loss have been measured with pressure taps and pneumatic probes. In addition, a two-component laser-doppler velocimeter (LDV) has been used to measure the boundary layer velocity profiles and turbulence levels at various chordwise locations near the blade suction surface. The “smooth” blade has a centerline-averaged roughness (Ra) of 0.62 μm. The “rough” blade is roughened by covering the leading edge of the “smooth” blade, including 2% of the pressure side and 2% of the suction side, with a 100 μm-thick tape with a roughness Ra of 4.97 μm. At Reynolds numbers ranging from 210,000 to 380,000, the leading edge roughness decreases loss slightly. At Reynolds number of 210,000, the leading edge roughness reduces the size of the suction side laminar separation bubble and turbulence level in the turbulent boundary layer after reattachment. Thus, the leading edge roughness reduces displacement and momentum thicknesses as well as profile loss at Reynolds number of 210,000. However, the same leading edge roughness increases loss significantly for Re = 450,000 ∼ 640,000. At Reynolds number of 640,000, the leading edge roughness decreases the magnitude of the favorable pressure gradient for axial chordwise locations less than 0.41 and induces turbulent separation for axial chordwise locations greater than 0.63, drastically increasing loss. Thus, roughness limited to the leading edge still has a profound effect on the compressor flow field.

Using Gurney Flaps to Control Laminar Separation on Linear Cascade Blades

2003 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron R. Byerley ◽  
Oliver Sto¨rmer ◽  
James W. Baughn ◽  
Terrence W. Simon ◽  
Kenneth W. Van Treuren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Pressure Profile ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Control Technique ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Linear Cascade ◽  
Gurney Flaps

This paper describes an experimental investigation of the use of Gurney flaps to control laminar separation on turbine blades in a linear cascade. Measurements were made at Reynolds numbers (based upon inlet velocity and axial chord) of 28×103,65×103 and 167×103. The freestream turbulence intensity for all three cases was 0.8%. Laminar separation was present on the suction surface of the Langston blade shape for the two lower Reynolds numbers. In an effort to control the laminar separation, Gurney flaps were added to the pressure surface close to the trailing edge. The measurements indicate that the flaps turn and accelerate the flow in the blade passage toward the suction surface of the neighboring blade thereby eliminating the separation bubble. Five different sizes of Gurney flaps, ranging from 0.6 to 2.7% of axial chord, were tested. The laser thermal tuft technique was used to determine the influence of the Gurney flaps on the location and size of the separation bubble. Additionally, measurements of wall static pressure, profile loss, and blade-exit flow angle were made. The blade pressure distribution indicates that the lift generated by the blade is increased. As was expected, the Gurney flap also produced a larger wake. In practice, Gurney flaps might possibly be implemented in a semi-passive manner. They could be deployed for low Reynolds number operation and then retracted at high Reynolds numbers when separation is not present. This work is important because it describes a successful means for eliminating the separation bubble while characterizing both the potential performance improvement and the penalties associated with this semi-passive flow control technique.

Using Gurney Flaps to Control Laminar Separation on Linear Cascade Blades

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron R. Byerley ◽  
Oliver Sto¨rmer ◽  
James W. Baughn ◽  
Terrence W. Simon ◽  
Kenneth W. Van Treuren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Pressure Profile ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Control Technique ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Linear Cascade ◽  
Gurney Flaps

This paper describes an experimental investigation of the use of Gurney flaps to control laminar separation on turbine blades in a linear cascade. Measurements were made at Reynolds numbers (based upon inlet velocity and axial chord) of 28 × 103, 65 × 103 and 167 × 103. The freestream turbulence intensity for all three cases was 0.8%. Laminar separation was present on the suction surface of the Langston blade shape for the two lower Reynolds numbers. In an effort to control the laminar separation, Gurney flaps were added to the pressure surface close to the trailing edge. The measurements indicate that the flaps turn and accelerate the flow in the blade passage toward the suction surface of the neighboring blade thereby eliminating the separation bubble. Five different sizes of Gurney flaps, ranging from 0.6% to 2.7% of axial chord, were tested. The laser thermal tuft technique was used to determine the influence of the Gurney flaps on the location and size of the separation bubble. Additionally, measurements of wall static pressure, profile loss, and blade-exit flow angle were made. The blade pressure distribution indicates that the lift generated by the blade is increased. As was expected, the Gurney flap also produced a larger wake. In practice, Gurney flaps might possibly be implemented in a semi-passive manner. They could be deployed for low Reynolds number operation and then retracted at high Reynolds numbers when separation is not present. This work is important because it describes a successful means for eliminating the separation bubble while characterizing both the potential performance improvement and the penalties associated with this semi-passive flow control technique.

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