Influence of a Novel 3D Leading Edge Geometry on the Aerodynamic Performance of Low Pressure Turbine Blade Cascade Vanes

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Asghar ◽  
W. D. E. Allan ◽  
M. LaViolette ◽  
R. Woodason
Keyword(s):  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Separated Flow ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Total Pressure Loss ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Edge Geometry

This paper addresses the issue of aerodynamic performance of a novel 3D leading edge modification to a reference low pressure turbine blade. An analysis of tubercles found in nature and used in some engineering applications was employed to synthesize new leading edge geometry. A sinusoidal wave-like geometry characterized by wavelength and amplitude was used to modify the leading edge along the span of a 2D profile, rendering a 3D blade shape. The rationale behind using the sinusoidal leading edge was that they induce streamwise vortices at the leading edge which influence the separation behaviour downstream. Surface pressure and total pressure measurements were made in experiments on a cascade rig. These were complemented with computational fluid dynamics studies where flow visualization was also made from numerical results. The tests were carried out at low Reynolds number of 5.5 × 104 on a well-researched profile representative of conventional low pressure turbine profiles. The performance of the new 3D leading edge geometries was compared against the reference blade revealing a downstream shift in separated flow for the LE tubercle blades; however, total pressure loss reduction was not conclusively substantiated for the blade with leading edge tubercles when compared with the performance of the baseline blade. Factors contributing to the total pressure loss are discussed.

The Influence of Different Rim Seal Geometries on Hot-Gas Ingestion and Total Pressure Loss in a Low-Pressure Turbine

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Schuler ◽  
W. Kurz ◽  
K. Dullenkopf ◽  
H.-J. Bauer
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Total Pressure Loss ◽  
Pressure Loss Coefficient ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Hot Gas ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Total Pressure Loss Coefficient

In order to prevent hot-gas ingestion into the rotating turbo machine’s inside, rim seals are used in the cavities located between stator- and rotor-disc. The sealing flow ejected through the rim seal interacts with the boundary layer of the main gas flow, thus playing a significant role in the formation of secondary flows which are a major contributor to aerodynamic losses in turbine passages. Investigations performed in the EU project MAGPI concentrate on the interaction between the sealing flow and the main gas flow and in particular on the influence of different rim seal geometries regarding the loss-mechanism in a low-pressure turbine passage. Within the CFD work reported in this paper static simulations of one typical low-pressure turbine passage were conducted containing two different rim seal geometries, respectively. The sealing flow through the rim seal had an azimuthal velocity component and its rate has been varied between 0–1% of the main gas flow. The modular design of the computational domain provided the easy exchange of the rim seal geometry without remeshing the main gas flow. This allowed assessing the appearing effects only to the change of rim seal geometry. The results of this work agree with well-known secondary flow phenomena inside a turbine passage and reveal the impact of the different rim seal geometries on hot-gas ingestion and aerodynamic losses quantified by a total pressure loss coefficient along the turbine blade. While the simple axial gap geometry suffers considerable hot-gas ingestion upstream the blade leading edge, the compound geometry implying an axial overlapping presents a more promising prevention against hot-gas ingestion. Furthermore, the effect of rim seals on the turbine passage flow field has been identified applying adequate flow visualisation techniques. As a result of the favourable conduction of sealing flow through the compound geometry, the boundary layer is less lifted by the ejected sealing flow, thus resulting in a comparatively reduced total pressure loss coefficient over the turbine blade.

Influence of a Novel Three-Dimensional Leading Edge Geometry on the Aerodynamic Performance of Transonic Cascade Vanes

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Bouchard ◽  
A. Asghar ◽  
J. Hardes ◽  
R. Edwards ◽  
W. D. E. Allan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Total Pressure ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Surface Flow ◽  
Pressure Losses ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Edge Geometry ◽  
Turbine Vane ◽  
Transonic Cascade

This paper addresses the issue of aerodynamic performance of a novel 3D leading edge modification to a reference vane. An analysis of tubercles found in nature and some engineering applications was used to synthesize new leading edge geometry. Three variations of the reference low pressure turbine vane were obtained by changing the characteristic parameters of the tubercles. Shock structure, surface flow visualization and total pressure measurements were made through experiments in a cascade rig, as well as through computational fluid dynamics. The tests were carried out at design zero incidence and off-design ±10-deg and ±5-deg incidences. The performance of the new 3D leading edge geometries was compared against the reference vane. Some leading edge tubercle configurations were effective at decreasing total pressure losses at positive inlet incidence angles. Numerical results supplemented experimental results.

Experimental Investigation of Total Pressure Loss Development in a Highly Loaded Low-Pressure Turbine Cascade

2017 ◽  
Vol 140 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Bear ◽  
Mitch Wolff ◽  
Andreas Gross ◽  
Christopher R. Marks ◽  
Rolf Sondergaard
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Secondary Flow ◽  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Total Pressure Loss ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Pressure Transport ◽  
Secondary Flow Field ◽  
Highly Loaded

Improvements in turbine design methods have resulted in the development of blade profiles with both high lift and good Reynolds lapse characteristics. An increase in aerodynamic loading of blades in the low-pressure turbine (LPT) section of aircraft gas turbine engines has the potential to reduce engine weight or increase power extraction. Increased blade loading means larger pressure gradients and increased secondary losses near the endwall. Prior work has emphasized the importance of reducing these losses if highly loaded blades are to be utilized. The present study analyzes the secondary flow field of the front-loaded low-pressure turbine blade designated L2F with and without blade profile contouring at the junction of the blade and endwall. The current work explores the loss production mechanisms inside the LPT cascade. Stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (SPIV) data and total pressure loss data are used to describe the secondary flow field. The flow is analyzed in terms of total pressure loss, vorticity, Q-Criterion, turbulent kinetic energy, and turbulence production. The flow description is then expanded upon using an implicit large eddy simulation (ILES) of the flow field. The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) momentum equations contain terms with pressure derivatives. With some manipulation, these equations can be rearranged to form an equation for the change in total pressure along a streamline as a function of velocity only. After simplifying for the flow field in question, the equation can be interpreted as the total pressure transport along a streamline. A comparison of the total pressure transport calculated from the velocity components and the total pressure loss is presented and discussed. Peak values of total pressure transport overlap peak values of total pressure loss through and downstream of the passage suggesting that the total pressure transport is a useful tool for localizing and predicting loss origins and loss development using velocity data which can be obtained nonintrusively.

Investigation on Performance of Compressor Cascade with Tubercle Leading Edge Blade

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tu Baofeng ◽  
Zhang Kai ◽  
Hu Jun
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Total Pressure Loss ◽  
Compressor Cascade ◽  
Linear Compressor Cascade

AbstractIn order to improve compressor performance using a new design method, which originates from the fins on a humpback whale, experimental tests and numerical simulations were undertaken to investigate the influence of the tubercle leading edge on the aerodynamic performance of a linear compressor cascade with a NACA 65–010 airfoil. The results demonstrate that the tubercle leading edge can improve the aerodynamic performance of the cascade in the post-stall region by reducing total pressure loss, with a slight increase in total pressure loss in the pre-stall region. The tubercles on the leading edge of the blades cause the flow to migrate from the peak to the valley on the blade surface around the tubercle leading edge by the butterfly flow. The tubercle leading edge generates the vortices similar to those created by vortex generators, splitting the large-scale separation region into multiple smaller regions.

Secondary Flow Loss Reduction Through Blowing for a High-Lift Front-Loaded Low Pressure Turbine Cascade

2012 ◽  
Vol 135 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart I. Benton ◽  
Jeffrey P. Bons ◽  
Rolf Sondergaard
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Total Pressure Loss ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Blade Loading ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine

Efforts to increase individual blade loading in the low pressure turbine have resulted in blade geometries optimized for midspan performance. Many researchers have shown that increased blade loading and a front-loaded pressure distribution each separately contribute to increased losses in the endwall region. A detailed investigation of the baseline endwall flow of the L2F profile, which is a high-lift front loaded profile, is performed. In-plane velocity vectors and total pressure loss maps are obtained in five planes oriented normal to the blade surface for three Reynolds numbers. A row of pitched and skewed jets are introduced near the endwall on the suction surface of the blade. The flow control method is evaluated for four momentum coefficients at the high Reynolds number, with a maximum reduction of 42% in the area averaged total pressure loss coefficient. The same blade is also fitted with midspan vortex-generator jets and is tested at a Reynolds number of 20,000, resulting in a 21% reduction in the area averaged total pressure loss.

Experimental Investigation of the Effects of Waveform Tip Injection in a Low Pressure Turbine Cascade

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bayram Mercan ◽  
Eda Doğan ◽  
Yashar Ostovan ◽  
Oğuz Uzol
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Total Pressure Loss ◽  
Wake Flow ◽  
Injection Technique ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Passage Vortex ◽  
Tip Injection

This paper presents the results of an experimental study that investigates the effects of uniform/waveform tip injection along the camberline on the total pressure loss and wake flow characteristics downstream of a row of Low Pressure Turbine (LPT) blades. The experiments are performed in a low speed cascade facility. This injection technique involves spanwise jets at the tip that are issued from a series of holes along the camber line normal to the freestream flow direction. The injection mass flow rate from each hole is individually controlled using computer driven solenoid valves and therefore the flow injection geometrical pattern at the tip can be adjusted to any desired waveform shape, and can be uniform as well as waveform along the camber. Measurements involve Kiel probe traverses for different injection scenarios 0.5 axial chords downstream of the blades as well as Time-Resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (Tr-PIV) measurements at different spanwise locations. Results show that tip injection significantly reduces the total pressure loss levels created by the leakage vortex. Highest overall loss reduction occurs in the case of reversed-triangular injection. The least effective waveform is triangular injection. Loss levels do not seem to get reduced significantly in the passage vortex zone. Velocity, vorticity and turbulence fields created by the passage and leakage vortices get influenced by tip injection. There is significant reduction in the extent of the low momentum zone of the leakage vortex with injection. This effect is much less pronounced for the passage vortex. On the other hand, complex flow patterns are observed within the passage vortex, especially in the case of reversed-triangular injection, such as a possible embedded vortical structure along the passage vortex core, which creates double peaks in the velocity and turbulent kinetic energy fields and complex patterns in Reynolds shear stress.

Experimental Investigation of Total Pressure Loss Development in a Highly Loaded Low Pressure Turbine Cascade

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Bear ◽  
Mitch Wolff ◽  
Andreas Gross ◽  
Christopher R. Marks ◽  
Rolf Sondergaard
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Total Pressure Loss ◽  
Turbine Cascade ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Pressure Transport ◽  
Secondary Flow Field ◽  
Highly Loaded

Improvements in turbine design methods have resulted in the development of blade profiles with both high lift and good Reynolds lapse characteristics. An increase in aerodynamic loading of blades in the low pressure turbine section of aircraft gas turbine engines has the potential to reduce engine weight or increase power extraction. Increased blade loading means larger pressure gradients and increased secondary losses near the endwall. Prior work has emphasized the importance of reducing these losses if highly loaded blades are to be utilized. The present study analyzes the secondary flow field of the front-loaded low-pressure turbine blade designated L2F with and without blade profile contouring at the junction of the blade and endwall. The current work explores the loss production mechanisms inside the low pressure turbine cascade. Stereoscopic particle image velocimetry data and total pressure loss data are used to describe the secondary flow field. The flow is analyzed in terms of total pressure loss, vorticity, Q-Criterion, turbulent kinetic energy and turbulence production. The flow description is then expanded upon using an Implicit Large Eddy Simulation of the flow field. The RANS momentum equations contain terms with pressure derivatives. With some manipulation these equations can be rearranged to form an equation for the change in total pressure along a streamline as a function of velocity only. After simplifying for the flow field in question the equation can be interpreted as the total pressure transport along a streamline. A comparison of the total pressure transport calculated from the velocity components and the total pressure loss is presented and discussed. Peak values of total pressure transport overlap peak values of total pressure loss through and downstream of the passage suggesting that total pressure transport is a useful tool for localizing and predicting loss origins and loss development using velocity data which can be obtained non-intrusively.

Secondary Flow Loss Reduction Through Blowing for a High-Lift Front-Loaded Low Pressure Turbine Cascade

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart Benton ◽  
Jeffrey P. Bons ◽  
Rolf Sondergaard
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Total Pressure Loss ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Blade Loading ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine

Efforts to increase individual blade loading in the low pressure turbine have resulted in blade geometries optimized for midspan performance. Many researchers have shown that increased blade loading and a front-loaded pressure distribution each contribute separately to increased losses in the endwall region. A detailed investigation is performed of the baseline endwall flow of the L2F profile, a high-lift, front loaded profile. In-plane velocity vectors and total pressure loss maps are obtained in five planes oriented normal to the blade surface, for three Reynolds numbers. A row of pitched and skewed jets are introduced near the endwall on the suction surface of the blade. The flow control method is evaluated for four momentum coefficients at the high Reynolds number, with a maximum reduction of 42% in the area averaged total pressure loss coefficient. The same blade is also fitted with midspan vortex-generator jets and is tested at a Reynolds number of 20,000, resulting in a 21% reduction in area averaged total pressure loss.

Film Cooling and Aerodynamic Performance on Multi-Cavity Squealer Tip of a Turbine Blade

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Li ◽  
Zhao Liu ◽  
Zhenping Feng
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Film Cooling ◽  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Total Pressure Loss ◽  
Cooling Performance ◽  
Pressure Loss Coefficient ◽  
Blade Tip ◽  
Total Pressure Loss Coefficient

Abstract The blade tip region of the shroud-less high-pressure gas turbine is exposed to an extremely operating condition with combined high temperature and high heat transfer coefficient. It is critical to design new tip structures and apply effective cooling method to protect the blade tip. Multi-cavity squealer tip has the potential to reduce the huge thermal loads and improve the aerodynamic performance of the blade tip region. In this paper, numerical simulations were performed to predict the aerothermal performance of the multi-cavity squealer tip in a heavy-duty gas turbine cascade. Different turbulence models were validated by comparing to the experimental data. It was found that results predicted by the shear-stress transport with the γ-Reθ transition model have the best precision. Then, the film cooling performance, the flow field in the tip gap and the leakage losses were presented with several different multi-cavity squealer tip structures, under various coolant to mainstream mass flow ratios (MFR) from 0.05% to 0.15%. The results show that the ribs in the multi-cavity squealer tip could change the flow structure in the tip gap for that they would block the coolant and the leakage flow. In this study, the case with one-cavity (1C) achieves the best film cooling performance under a lower MFR. However, the cases with multi-cavity (2C, 3C, 4C) show higher film cooling effectiveness under a higher MFR of 0.15%, which are 32.6%%, 34.2%% and 41.0% higher than that of the 1C case. For the aerodynamic performance, the case with single-cavity has the largest total pressure loss coefficient in all MFR studied, whereas the case with two-cavity obtains the smallest total pressure loss coefficient, which is 7.6% lower than that of the 1C case.

Heat Transfer Enhancement for Gas Turbine Blade Leading Edge Cooling Using Curved Double-Wall/Vortex Cooling With Various Disturbing Objects

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojun Fan ◽  
Liang Li ◽  
Jiefeng Wang ◽  
Fan Wu
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Nusselt Number ◽  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Total Pressure Loss ◽  
Wall Impingement ◽  
Pin Fins ◽  
Cooling Passage ◽  
Double Wall

Abstract A new double-wall cooling configuration combined with the vortex cooling is established to study the cooling behavior for the gas turbine blade leading edge. This configuration consists of multiple nozzles, a curved inner cooling passage, a row of bridge holes and a curved outer cooling passage with 4 kinds of disturbing objects (namely smooth wall, pin-fins, dimples and protrusions). Numerical simulations are performed based on the 3D viscous steady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations and the k-ω turbulence model. The cooling behavior of the Double-wall/vortex cooling configuration is compared with the Double-wall/impingement cooling configuration at the same conditions. Generally, the Double-wall/vortex cooling configuration has a better cooling performance. It is found the Nusselt number of the inner surface for the Double-wall/vortex cooling configuration is 46.7% higher. However, the Double-wall/impingement cooling configuration has a smaller friction coefficient and a total pressure loss. Different disturbing objects have significant influences on the heat transfer performance of the outer surface. The Nusselt number of disturbing objects (pin-fins, dimples and protrusions) is much higher than the smooth wall, and the value is 1.27–2.22 times larger. Configuration with protrusions has the highest globally-averaged Nusselt number. For the heat transfer performance of the inner surface and the total pressure loss coefficient, disturbing objects have no obvious influence. As bridge holes row increases, the overall cooling performance is improved. The globally-averaged Nusselt number of the outer target is enhanced while the total pressure loss is reduced.

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