Development and Validation of a Three-Dimensional Multiphase Flow CFD Analysis for Journal Bearings in Steam and Heavy Duty Gas Turbines

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Uhkoetter ◽  
Stefan aus der Wiesche ◽  
Michael Kursch ◽  
Christian Beck
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Multiphase Flow ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Air Entrainment ◽  
Journal Bearings ◽  
Heavy Duty ◽  
Present Contribution ◽  
Two Phase

The traditional method for hydrodynamic journal bearing analysis usually applies the lubrication theory based on the Reynolds equation and suitable empirical modifications to cover turbulence, heat transfer, and cavitation. In cases of complex bearing geometries for steam and heavy-duty gas turbines this approach has its obvious restrictions in regard to detail flow recirculation, mixing, mass balance, and filling level phenomena. These limitations could be circumvented by applying a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach resting closer to the fundamental physical laws. The present contribution reports about the state of the art of such a fully three-dimensional multiphase-flow CFD approach including cavitation and air entrainment for high-speed turbo-machinery journal bearings. It has been developed and validated using experimental data. Due to the high ambient shear rates in bearings, the multiphase-flow model for journal bearings requires substantial modifications in comparison to common two-phase flow simulations. Based on experimental data, it is found, that particular cavitation phenomena are essential for the understanding of steam and heavy-duty type gas turbine journal bearings.

Development and Validation of a Three-Dimensional Multiphase Flow Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis for Journal Bearings in Steam and Heavy Duty Gas Turbines

2012 ◽  
Vol 134 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Uhkoetter ◽  
Stefan aus der Wiesche ◽  
Michael Kursch ◽  
Christian Beck
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Experimental Data ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Multiphase Flow ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Air Entrainment ◽  
Journal Bearings ◽  
Heavy Duty ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis

The traditional method for hydrodynamic journal bearing analysis usually applies the lubrication theory based on the Reynolds equation and suitable empirical modifications to cover turbulence, heat transfer, and cavitation. In cases of complex bearing geometries for steam and heavy-duty gas turbines, this approach has its obvious restrictions in regard to detail flow recirculation, mixing, mass balance, and filling level phenomena. These limitations could be circumvented by applying a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach, resting closer to the fundamental physical laws. The present contribution reports about the state of the art of such a fully three-dimensional multiphase-flow CFD approach, including cavitation and air entrainment for high-speed turbomachinery journal bearings. It has been developed and validated using experimental data. Due to the high ambient shear rates in bearings, the multiphase-flow model for journal bearings requires substantial modifications in comparison to common two-phase flow simulations. Based on experimental data, it is found, that particular cavitation phenomena are essential for the understanding of steam and heavy-duty-type gas turbine journal bearings.

Age-Related Differences in Throwing Techniques Used by the Catcher in Baseball

1994 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinji Sakurai ◽  
Bruce Elliott ◽  
J. Robert Grove
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Transformation Method ◽  
High Speed Photography ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Ball Speed ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Release Speed

Three-dimensional (3-D) high speed photography was used to record the overarm throwing actions of five open-age, four 18-year-old, six 16-year- old, and six 14-year-old high-performance baseball catchers. The direct linear transformation method was used for 3-D space reconstruction from 2-D images of the catchers throwing from home plate to second base recorded using two phase-locked cameras operating at a nominal rate of 200 Hz. Selected physical capacity measures were also recorded and correlated with ball release speed. In general, anthropometric and strength measures significantly increased through the 14-year-old to open-age classifications, while a range of correlation coefficients from .50 to .84 was recorded between these physical capacities and ball speed at release. While many aspects of the kinematic data at release were similar, the key factors of release angle and release speed varied for the different age groups.

Fanno Design of Blow-Off Lines in Heavy Duty Gas Turbine

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Cioffi ◽  
Enrico Puppo ◽  
Andrea Silingardi
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Design Procedure ◽  
Flow Equation ◽  
Heavy Duty ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pipe Length ◽  
Choked Flow

In typical heavy duty gas turbines the multistage axial compressor is provided with anti-surge pipelines equipped with on-off valves (blow-off lines), to avoid dangerous flow instabilities during start-ups and shut-downs. Blow-off lines show some very peculiar phenomena and somewhat challenging fluid dynamics, which require a deeper regard. In this paper the blow-off lines in axial gas turbines are analyzed by adopting an adiabatic quasi-unidimensional model of the gas flow through a pipe with a constant cross-sectional area and involving geometrical singularities (Fanno flow). The determination of the Fanno limit, on the basis of the flow equation and the second principle of thermodynamics, shows the existence of a critical pipe length which is a function of the pipe parameters and the initial conditions: for a length greater than this maximum one, the model requires a mass-flow reduction. In addition, in the presence of a regulating valve, so-called multi-choked flow can arise. The semi-analytical model has been implemented and the results have been compared with a three-dimensional CFD analysis and cross-checked with available field data, showing a good agreement. The Fanno model has been applied for the analysis of some of the actual machines in the Ansaldo Energia fleet under different working conditions. The Fanno tool will be part of the design procedure of new machines. In addition it will define related experimental activities.

Influence of geometric parameters and operating conditions on the thermohydrodynamic behaviour of plain journal bearings

2000 ◽  
Vol 214 (5) ◽  
pp. 445-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Pierre ◽  
M Fillon
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Journal Bearing ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Journal Bearings ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Thermal Dissipation ◽  
Radial Clearance ◽  
Geometric Factors ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Mass Flowrate

Hydrodynamic journal bearings are essential components of high-speed machinery. In severe operating conditions, the thermal dissipation is not a negligible phenomenon. Therefore, a three-dimensional thermohydrodynamic (THD) analysis has been developed that includes lubricant rupture and re-formation phenomena by conserving the mass flowrate. Then, the predictions obtained with the proposed numerical model are validated by comparison with the measurements reported in the literature. The effects of various geometric factors (length, diameter and radial clearance) and operating conditions (rotational speed, applied load and lubricant) on the journal bearing behaviour are analysed and discussed in order to inform bearing designers. Thus, it can be predicted that the bearing performance obtained highly depends on operating conditions and geometric configuration.

Flow over a stepped chute with and without macro-roughness elements

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 880-891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmet Ali Kökpinar
Keyword(s):  
Water Flow ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Length Distribution ◽  
Air Entrainment ◽  
Air Concentration ◽  
Bubble Frequency ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Air Bubble ◽  
Roughness Elements ◽  
Stepped Chute

High-speed two-phase flows over a 30° stepped flume were experimentally investigated using macro-roughness elements. The roughness elements included combinations of steps and horizontal strips. Local values of air concentration, air bubble frequency, and mean chord lengths were measured by a fiber-optical instrumentation system in the air–water flow region. The range of unit discharge of water was varied from 0.06 to 0.20 m2/s. Three step configurations were studied: (i) without macro-roughness elements, (ii) with macro-roughness elements on each step, and (iii) with macro-roughness elements on each second step (AMR configuration). The results were compared in terms of onset flow conditions and internal air–water flow parameters such as local air concentration, mean air bubble chord length distribution, and air bubble frequency in the skimming flow regime. It was observed that the AMR configuration produced the maximum free-surface aeration among the other configurations. This alternative step geometry has potential for less cavitation damage than conventional step geometry because of the greater air entrainment.Key words: stepped chute, air-entrainment, air-water flow properties, macro-roughness elements, skimming flow.

scholarly journals Wake behind a three-dimensional dry transom stern. Part 1. Flow structure and large-scale air entrainment

2019 ◽  
Vol 875 ◽  
pp. 854-883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelli Hendrickson ◽  
Gabriel D. Weymouth ◽  
Xiangming Yu ◽  
Dick K.-P. Yue
Keyword(s):  
Froude Number ◽  
Flow Structure ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Air Entrainment ◽  
Breaking Waves ◽  
Variable Density ◽  
Entrainment Rate ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Density Spectrum

We present high-resolution implicit large eddy simulation (iLES) of the turbulent air-entraining flow in the wake of three-dimensional rectangular dry transom sterns with varying speeds and half-beam-to-draft ratios $B/D$. We employ two-phase (air/water), time-dependent simulations utilizing conservative volume-of-fluid (cVOF) and boundary data immersion (BDIM) methods to obtain the flow structure and large-scale air entrainment in the wake. We confirm that the convergent-corner-wave region that forms immediately aft of the stern wake is ballistic, thus predictable only by the speed and (rectangular) geometry of the ship. We show that the flow structure in the air–water mixed region contains a shear layer with a streamwise jet and secondary vortex structures due to the presence of the quasi-steady, three-dimensional breaking waves. We apply a Lagrangian cavity identification technique to quantify the air entrainment in the wake and show that the strongest entrainment is where wave breaking occurs. We identify an inverse dependence of the maximum average void fraction and total volume entrained with $B/D$. We determine that the average surface entrainment rate initially peaks at a location that scales with draft Froude number and that the normalized average air cavity density spectrum has a consistent value providing there is active air entrainment. A small parametric study of the rectangular geometry and stern speed establishes and confirms the scaling of the interface characteristics with draft Froude number and geometry. In Part 2 (Hendrikson & Yue, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 875, 2019, pp. 884–913) we examine the incompressible highly variable density turbulence characteristics and turbulence closure modelling.

scholarly journals Development of a new test rig for the analysis of hydrodynamic bearings for rotors of microGT

2019 ◽  
Vol 113 ◽  
pp. 03002
Author(s):  
Carlo Alberto Niccolini Marmont Du Haut Champ ◽  
Fabrizio Stefani ◽  
Paolo Silvestri
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Dynamic Interaction ◽  
Journal Bearings ◽  
Radial Clearance ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Small Clearance ◽  
Stiffness And Damping ◽  
Good Agreement

The aim of the present work is to design a test rig suited to investigate the dynamic interaction between rotor and hydrodynamic journal bearings in micro gas turbines (microGT), i.e. with reference to small bearings (diameter in the order of ten millimeters). Particularly, the device is capable of measuring the journal location. Therefore, the journal motion due to rotor vibrations can be displayed, in order to assess performance as well as stiffness and damping of the bearings. The new test rig is based on Bently Nevada Rotor Kit (RK), but substantial modifications are carried out. Indeed, the relative radial clearance of the original RK bearings is about 2/100, while it is in the order of 1/1000 in industrial bearings. Therefore, the same RK bearings are employed in the new test rig, but a new shaft has been designed in order to reduce the original clearance. The new shaft enables us to study the bearing behaviour for different clearances, as it is equipped with interchangeable journals. The experimental data yielded by the new test rig are compared with numerical results. These are obtained by means of a suitable finite element (FEM) code developed by our research group. It allows the Thermo Elasto-HydroDynamic (TEHD) analysis of the bearing in static and dynamic conditions. In the present paper, bearing static performances are analysed in order to assess the reliability of the journal location predictions by comparing numerical and experimental results. Such comparisons are presented for both large and small clearance bearings of original and modified RK, respectively. Good agreement is found only for the modified RK equipped with small clearance bearings (relative radial clearance equal to 8/1000). Nevertheless, rotor alignment is quite difficult with small clearance bearings and a completely new test rig is designed for future experiments.

Three-Dimensional Time-Resolved Flow Field in the First and Last Turbine Stage of a Heavy Duty Gas Turbine: Part II — Interpretation of Blade Pressure Fluctuations

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin von Hoyningen-Huene ◽  
Wolfram Frank ◽  
Alexander R. Jung
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Potential Interaction ◽  
Heavy Duty ◽  
Turbine Stage ◽  
Count Ratio ◽  
Heavy Duty Gas Turbine

Unsteady stator-rotor interaction in gas turbines has been investigated experimentally and numerically for some years now. Most investigations determine the pressure fluctuations in the flow field as well as on the blades. So far, little attention has been paid to a detailed analysis of the blade pressure fluctuations. For further progress in turbine design, however, it is mandatory to better understand the underlying mechanisms. Therefore, computed space–time maps of static pressure are presented on both the stator vanes and the rotor blades for two test cases, viz the first and the last turbine stage of a modern heavy duty gas turbine. These pressure fluctuation charts are used to explain the interaction of potential interaction, wake-blade interaction, deterministic pressure fluctuations, and acoustic waveswith the instantaneous surface pressure on vanes and blades. Part I of this two-part paper refers to the same computations, focusing on the unsteady secondary now field in these stages. The investigations have been performed with the flow solver ITSM3D which allows for efficient simulations that simulate the real blade count ratio. Accounting for the true blade count ratio is essential to obtain the correct frequencies and amplitudes of the fluctuations.

Power Loss of Tilting 5-Pad Journal Bearing Operating With Turbulent Oil Film

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Strzelecki
Keyword(s):  
Power Loss ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Journal Bearing ◽  
Journal Bearings ◽  
Heavy Duty ◽  
Safe Operation ◽  
Oil Film ◽  
Full Knowledge

Journal bearings of high speed turbocompressors, compressors and heavy duty high speed turbine gearboxes operate at journal peripheral speeds like 150 m/s. The flow of lubricant in such bearings is not laminar but super laminar or turbulent. It results in the increase in power loss and in the decrease of the bearing stability. The ground for the safe operation of high speed journal bearings at proper oil film temperature and with less power loss is the full knowledge of bearing performances at the turbulent oil film.

scholarly journals CFD Code Validation against Stratified Air-Water Flow Experimental Data

2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Terzuoli ◽  
M. C. Galassi ◽  
D. Mazzini ◽  
F. D'Auria
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Nuclear Reactor ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Free Surface Flow ◽  
Surface Flow ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Code Validation

Pressurized thermal shock (PTS) modelling has been identified as one of the most important industrial needs related to nuclear reactor safety. A severe PTS scenario limiting the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) lifetime is the cold water emergency core cooling (ECC) injection into the cold leg during a loss of coolant accident (LOCA). Since it represents a big challenge for numerical simulations, this scenario was selected within the European Platform for Nuclear Reactor Simulations (NURESIM) Integrated Project as a reference two-phase problem for computational fluid dynamics (CFDs) code validation. This paper presents a CFD analysis of a stratified air-water flow experimental investigation performed at the Institut de Mécanique des Fluides de Toulouse in 1985, which shares some common physical features with the ECC injection in PWR cold leg. Numerical simulations have been carried out with two commercial codes (Fluent and Ansys CFX), and a research code (NEPTUNE CFD). The aim of this work, carried out at the University of Pisa within the NURESIM IP, is to validate the free surface flow model implemented in the codes against experimental data, and to perform code-to-code benchmarking. Obtained results suggest the relevance of three-dimensional effects and stress the importance of a suitable interface drag modelling.

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