The Influence of Turbulence on Wake Dispersion and Blade Row Interaction in an Axial Compressor

Author(s):  
Alan D. Henderson ◽  
Gregory J. Walker ◽  
Jeremy D. Hughes

The influence of free-stream turbulence on wake dispersion and boundary layer transition processes has been studied in a 1.5-stage axial compressor. An inlet grid was used to produce turbulence characteristics typical of an embedded stage in a multistage machine. The grid turbulence strongly enhanced the dispersion of inlet guide vane (IGV) wakes. This modified the interaction of IGV and rotor wakes, leading to a significant decrease in periodic unsteadiness experienced by the downstream stator. These observations have important implications for the prediction of clocking effects in multistage machines. Boundary layer transition characteristics on the outlet stator were studied with a surface hot-film array. Observations with grid turbulence were compared with those for the natural low turbulence inflow to the machine. The transition behavior under low turbulence inflow conditions with the stator blade element immersed in the dispersed IGV wakes closely resembled the behavior with elevated grid turbulence. It is concluded that with appropriate alignment, the blade element behavior in a 1.5-stage axial machine can reliably indicate the blade element behavior of an embedded row in a multistage machine.

2005 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 150-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan D. Henderson ◽  
Gregory J. Walker ◽  
Jeremy D. Hughes

The influence of free-stream turbulence on wake dispersion and boundary layer transition processes has been studied in a 1.5-stage axial compressor. An inlet grid was used to produce turbulence characteristics typical of an embedded stage in a multistage machine. The grid turbulence strongly enhanced the dispersion of inlet guide vane (IGV) wakes. This modified the interaction of IGV and rotor wakes, leading to a significant decrease in periodic unsteadiness experienced by the downstream stator. These observations have important implications for the prediction of clocking effects in multistage machines. Boundary layer transition characteristics on the outlet stator were studied with a surface hot-film array. Observations with grid turbulence were compared with those for the natural low turbulence inflow to the machine. The transition behavior under low turbulence inflow conditions with the stator blade element immersed in the dispersed IGV wakes closely resembled the behavior with elevated grid turbulence. It is concluded that with appropriate alignment, the blade element behavior in a 1.5-stage axial machine can reliably indicate the blade element behavior of an embedded row in a multistage machine.


1988 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. B. Vijayaraghavan ◽  
P. Kavanagh

Experiments were conducted with glue-on hot-film gages in a large-scale axial turbine cascade to identify transition and/or separation on the suction surface of the blade. Standard strain-gage type temperature sensors were adapted and used as the gages and Transition and separation were identified by examining the mean and RMS voltage output. To assist with interpreting the output of the gages, surface oil-flow visualizations were used. Results of this study showed that transition and separation could be easily identified with the hot-film gages. Depending upon the Reynolds number and free stream turbulence level, the suction surface boundary layer was found to undergo bubble-induced transition, natural transition, or a combination of both; i.e, a transition which started naturally but ended abruptly with a bubble.


Author(s):  
Heinz-Adolf Schreiber ◽  
Wolfgang Steinert ◽  
Bernhard Küsters

An experimental and analytical study has been performed on the effect of Reynolds number and free-stream turbulence on boundary layer transition location on the suction surface of a controlled diffusion airfoil (CDA). The experiments were conducted in a rectilinear cascade facility at Reynolds numbers between 0.7 and 3.0×106 and turbulence intensities from about 0.7 to 4%. An oil streak technique and liquid crystal coatings were used to visualize the boundary layer state. For small turbulence levels and all Reynolds numbers tested the accelerated front portion of the blade is laminar and transition occurs within a laminar separation bubble shortly after the maximum velocity near 35–40% of chord. For high turbulence levels (Tu > 3%) and high Reynolds numbers transition propagates upstream into the accelerated front portion of the CDA blade. For those conditions, the sensitivity to surface roughness increases considerably and at Tu = 4% bypass transition is observed near 7–10% of chord. Experimental results are compared to theoretical predictions using the transition model which is implemented in the MISES code of Youngren and Drela. Overall the results indicate that early bypass transition at high turbulence levels must alter the profile velocity distribution for compressor blades that are designed and optimized for high Reynolds numbers.


Author(s):  
J. D. Hughes ◽  
G. J. Walker

Data from a surface hot-film array on the outlet stator of a 1.5 stage axial compressor are analyzed to look for direct evidence of natural transition phenomena. An algorithm is developed to identify instability waves within the Tollmien Schlichting (T-S) frequency range. The algorithm is combined with a turbulent intermittency detection routine to produce space∼time diagrams showing the probability of instability wave occurrence prior to regions of turbulent flow. The paper compares these plots for a range of blade loading, with free-stream conditions corresponding to the maximum and minimum inflow disturbance periodicity produced by inlet guide vane clocking. Extensive regions of amplifying instability waves are identified in nearly all cases. The implications for transition prediction in decelerating flow regions on axial turbomachine blades are discussed.


Author(s):  
Chenglong Wang ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
Bengt Sundén ◽  
Valery Chernoray ◽  
Hans Abrahamsson

In the present study, the heat transfer characteristics on the suction and pressure sides of an outlet guide vane (OGV) are investigated by using liquid crystal thermography (LCT) method in a linear cascade. Because the OGV has a complex curved surface, it is necessary to calibrate the LCT by taking into account the effect of viewing angles of the camera. Based on the calibration results, heat transfer measurements of the OGV were conducted. Both on- and off-design conditions were tested, where the incidence angles of the OGV were 25 degrees and −25 degrees, respectively. The Reynolds numbers, based on the axial flow velocity and the chord length, were 300,000 and 450,000. In addition, heat transfer on suction side of the OGV with +40 degrees incidence angle was measured. The results indicate that the Reynolds number and incidence angle have considerable influences upon the heat transfer on both pressure and suction surfaces. For on-design conditions, laminar-turbulent boundary layer transitions are on both sides, but no flow separation occurs; on the contrary, for off-design conditions, the position of laminar-turbulent boundary layer transition is significantly displaced downstream on the suction surface, and a separation occurs from the leading edge on the pressure surface. As expected, larger Reynolds number gives higher heat transfer coefficients on both sides of the OGV.


Author(s):  
Michael P. Schultz ◽  
Ralph J. Volino

An experimental investigation has been carried out on a transitional boundary layer subject to high (initially 9%) free-stream turbulence, strong acceleration K=ν/Uw2dUw/dxas high as9×10-6, and strong concave curvature (boundary layer thickness between 2% and 5% of the wall radius of curvature). Mean and fluctuating velocity as well as turbulent shear stress are documented and compared to results from equivalent cases on a flat wall and a wall with milder concave curvature. The data show that curvature does have a significant effect, moving the transition location upstream, increasing turbulent transport, and causing skin friction to rise by as much as 40%. Conditional sampling results are presented which show that the curvature effect is present in both the turbulent and non-turbulent zones of the transitional flow.


Author(s):  
David Händel ◽  
Reinhard Niehuis ◽  
Uwe Rockstroh

In order to determine the aerodynamic behavior of a Variable Inlet Guide Vane as used in multishaft compressors, extensive experimental investigations with a 2D linear cascade have been conducted. All the experiments were performed at the High-Speed Cascade Wind Tunnel at the Institute of Jet Propulsion. They covered a wide range of Reynolds numbers and stagger angles as they occur in realistic turbomachines. Within this work at first the observed basic flow phenomena (loss development, overturning) will be explained. For the present special case of a symmetric profile and a constant decreasing chord length along the vane height, statements about different spanwise position can be made by investigating different Reynolds numbers. The focus of this paper is on the outflow of the VIGV along the vane height. Results for an open flow separation on the suction side are presented, too. Stall condition can be delayed by boundary layer control. This is done using a wire to trigger an early boundary layer transition. The outcomes of the trip wire measurement are finally discussed. The objective of this work is to evaluate the influence of the stagger angle and Reynolds number on the total pressure losses and the deviation angle. The results of the work presented here, gives a better insight of the efficient use of a VIGV.


1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (3) ◽  
pp. 420-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Volino ◽  
T. W. Simon

Measurements from heated boundary layers along a concave-curved test wall subject to high (initially 8 percent) free-stream turbulence intensity and strong (K = (ν/U∞2) dU∞/dx) as high as 9 × 10−6) acceleration are presented and discussed. Conditions for the experiments were chosen to roughly simulate those present on the downstream half of the pressure side of a gas turbine airfoil. Mean velocity and temperature profiles as well as skin friction and heat transfer coefficients are presented. The transition zone is of extended length in spite of the high free-stream turbulence level. Transitional values of skin friction coefficients and Stanton numbers drop below flat-plate, low-free-stream-turbulence, turbulent flow correlations, but remain well above laminar flow values. The mean velocity and temperature profiles exhibit clear changes in shape as the flow passes through transition. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first detailed documentation of a high-free-stream-turbulence boundary layer flow in such a strong acceleration field.


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