Adjoint Based Aerodynamic Optimization of a Multi-Splitter Turbine Vane Frame

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Russo ◽  
Simone Orsenigo ◽  
Lasse Mueller ◽  
Tom Verstraete ◽  
Sergio Lavagnoli
Keyword(s):  
Total Pressure ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Structural Constraints ◽  
Aerodynamic Optimization ◽  
Pressure Losses ◽  
Turbine Vane ◽  
Gradient Based ◽  
Adjoint Approach ◽  
Multi Body

Abstract This work presents a 2D optimization of a multi-body turbine vane frame (TVF), a particular configuration that can lead to considerable shortening of the aero-engine shaft as well as weight reduction. Traditionally, the turbine vane frame is used to guide the flow from the high pressure (HP) turbine to the low pressure (LP) turbine. Current designs have a mid turbine frame equipped with non lifting bodies that have structural and servicing functions, while multi-body configurations are characterized by the fact that, in order to shorten the duct length, the mid turbine struts are merged with the LP stator vanes, traditionally located downstream. This design architecture consists therefore of a multi-body vane row, where lifting long-chord struts replace some of the low pressure vane airfoils. However, the bulky struts cause significant aerodynamics losses and penalize the aerodynamics of the small vanes. The objective of the present work is to numerically optimize a TVF geometry with multi-body architecture using a gradient based algorithm coupled with the adjoint approach, enabling the use of a rich design space. Steady-state CFD simulations have been used to this end. The aim of this study is to reduce the total pressure losses of the TVF, while imposing several aerodynamic and structural constraints. The parametrization of the TVF geometry represents the airfoil shapes and their relative pitch-wise positions. The outcome of the optimization is to evaluate the potential improvements introduced by the optimized TVF geometry and to quantify the influence of the different design parameters on the total pressure losses.

Transition Modelling for Vortex Generating Jets on Low-Pressure Turbine Profiles

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Herbst ◽  
Dragan Kozˇulovic´ ◽  
Joerg R. Seume
Keyword(s):  
Total Pressure ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Quantitative Prediction ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Transition Model ◽  
Pressure Losses ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Local Transition

Steady blowing vortex generating jets (VGJ) on highly-loaded low-pressure turbine profiles have shown to be a promising way to decrease total pressure losses at low Reynolds-numbers by reducing laminar separation. In the present paper, the state of the art turbomachinery design code TRACE with RANS turbulence closure and coupled γ-ReΘ transition model is applied to the prediction of typical aerodynamic design parameters of various VGJ configurations in steady simulations. High-speed cascade wind tunnel experiments for a wide range of Reynolds-numbers, two VGJ positions, and three jet blowing ratios are used for validation. Since the original transition model overpredicts separation and losses at Re2is ≤ 100·103 an extra mode for VGJ induced transition is introduced. Whereas the criterion for transition is modelled by a filtered Q vortex criterion the transition development itself is modelled by a reduction of the local transition-onset momentum-thickness Reynolds number. The new model significantly improves the quality of the computational results by capturing the corresponding local transition process in a physically reasonable way. This is shown to yield an improved quantitative prediction of surface pressure distributions and total pressure losses.

Transition Modeling for Vortex Generating Jets on Low-Pressure Turbine Profiles

2012 ◽  
Vol 135 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Herbst ◽  
Dragan Kožulović ◽  
Joerg R. Seume
Keyword(s):  
Total Pressure ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Quantitative Prediction ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Transition Model ◽  
Pressure Losses ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Local Transition

Steady blowing vortex generating jets (VGJ) on highly-loaded low-pressure turbine profiles have shown to be a promising way to decrease total pressure losses at low Reynolds-numbers by reducing laminar separation. In the present paper, the state of the art turbomachinery design code TRACE with RANS turbulence closure and coupled γ-ReΘ transition model is applied to the prediction of typical aerodynamic design parameters of various VGJ configurations in steady simulations. High-speed cascade wind tunnel experiments for a wide range of Reynolds-numbers, two VGJ positions, and three jet blowing ratios are used for validation. Since the original transition model overpredicts separation and losses at Re2is≤100·103, an extra mode for VGJ induced transition is introduced. Whereas the criterion for transition is modeled by a filtered Q vortex criterion the transition development itself is modeled by a reduction of the local transition-onset momentum-thickness Reynolds number. The new model significantly improves the quality of the computational results by capturing the corresponding local transition process in a physically reasonable way. This is shown to yield an improved quantitative prediction of surface pressure distributions and total pressure losses.

Investigation of Variated Unsteady Inflow Boundary Conditions on the Transition Behavior of a Low Pressure Turbine Cascade Family

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franz F. Blaim ◽  
Roland E. Brachmanski ◽  
Reinhard Niehuis
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Condition ◽  
Transport Equation ◽  
Flow Separation ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Number Range ◽  
Pressure Losses ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Transition Behavior

The objective of this paper is to analyze the influence of incoming periodic wakes, considering the variable width, on the integral total pressure loss for two low pressure turbine (LPT) airfoils. In order to reduce the overall weight of a LPT, the pitch to chord ratio was continuously increased, during the past decades. However, this increase encourages the development of the transition phenomena or even flow separation on the suction side of the blade. At low Reynolds numbers, large separation bubbles can occur there, which are linked with high total pressure losses. The incoming wakes of the upstream blades are known to trigger early transition, leading to a reduced risk of flow separation and hence minor integral total pressure losses caused by separation. For the further investigation of these effects, different widths of the incoming wakes will be examined in detail, here. This variation is carried out by using the numerical Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Solver TRACE developed by the DLR Cologne in collaboration with MTU Aero Engines AG. For the variation of the width of the wakes, a variable boundary condition was modeled, which includes the wake vorticity parameters. The width of the incoming wakes was used as the relevant variable parameter. The implemented boundary condition models the unsteady behavior of the incoming wakes by the variation of the velocity profile, using a prescribed frequenc. TRACE can use two different transition models; the main focus here is set to the γ–Reθt transition model, which uses local variables in a transport equation, to trigger the transition within the turbulence transport equation system. The experimental results were conducted at the high speed cascade open loop test facility at the Institute for Jet Propulsion at the University of the German Federal Armed Forces in Munich. For the investigation presented here, two LPT profiles — which were designed with a similar inlet angle, turning, and pitch are analyzed. However, with a common exit Mach number and a similar Reynolds number range between 40k and 400k, one profile is front loaded and the other one is aft loaded. Numerical unsteady results are in good agreement with the conducted measurements. The influence of the width of the wake on the time resolved transition behavior, represented by friction coefficient plots and momentum loss thickness will be analyzed in this paper.

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.

scholarly journals Effect of Relative Velocity Distribution on Efficiency and Exit Flow of Centrifugal Impellers

1983 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Mishina ◽  
H. Nishida
Keyword(s):  
Total Pressure ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Pressure Losses ◽  
Loss Analysis ◽  
High Stage ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Stage Efficiency ◽  
Wide Operating

The major problem for designing centrifugal compressors is to attain high stage efficiency as well as a wide operating range. High stage efficiency is customarily attained by the optimization of design parameters using a one-dimensional loss analysis including the relationship between the flow behavior and total pressure losses for limited types of compressors.

Influence of Surface Roughness on the Profile and End-Wall Losses in Low Pressure Turbines

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rau´l Va´zquez ◽  
Diego Torre ◽  
Fernando Partida ◽  
Leyre Arman˜anzas ◽  
Antonio Antoranz
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Pressure Flow ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Pressure Losses ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Wall Losses ◽  
End Wall

The influence of surface roughness on the profile and end-wall total pressure losses in Low Pressure Turbines was investigated experimentally in a turbine high-speed rig. The rig consisted of a rotor-stator configuration. Both rows of airfoils are high lift, high aspect ratio and high turning blades that are characteristic of state of the art Low Pressure Turbines. The stator airfoils (both vanes and platforms) were casted and afterwards they were barreled to improve their surface finish up to 1.73 μm Ra. Then they were assembled in the rig and tested. The stator was traversed upstream and downstream with miniature pneumatic probes to obtain total pressure, flow angle and static pressure flow fields. Once this test was completed the rig was disassembled and the stator airfoils were polished to achieve a roughness size of 0.72 μm Ra, characteristic of Low Pressure Turbine polished airfoils. Once again, the stators were assembled in the rig and tested to carry out a back-to-back comparison between the two different surface roughnesses. The total pressure profile and end-wall losses were measured for a wide range of Reynolds numbers, extending from 8×104 to 2.4×105, based on suction surface length (Res∼1.5 ReCx) and exit Mach number of 0.61. Experimental results are presented and compared in terms of area average, radial pitchwise average distributions and exit plane contours of total pressure losses, flow angles and helicity. The results agree with previous studies of roughness in Turbines, a beneficial effect of surface roughness was found at very low Reynolds numbers, in stagnation pressure losses.

A Comparison of Three Low Pressure Turbine Designs

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian T. Wakelam ◽  
Martin Hoeger ◽  
Reinhard Niehuis
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Maximum Velocity ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Surface Boundary ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Pressure Losses ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine

As part of the current research, three low pressure turbine (LPT) geometries—which were designed with a common pitch, axial chord, inlet angle, and exit Mach number and to create the same nominal level of turning—are compared. Each of the LPT cascades was investigated under a range of Reynolds numbers, exit Mach numbers, and under the influence of a moving bar wake generator. Profile static pressure distributions, wake traverses at 5% and 40% axial chord downstream of the trailing edge, and suction side boundary layer traverses were used to compare the performance of the three designs. The total pressure losses are strongly dependent on both the maximum velocity location as well as the diffusion on the suction surface. The importance of the behavior of the pressure surface boundary layer turned out to be negligible in comparison. Cases with equivalent operating Reynolds number and suction side diffusion level are compared in terms of the total pressure losses that are generated. It is shown that a relationship between loss and suction side maximum velocity location exists. An optimum suction side maximum velocity location depends on the Reynolds number, diffusion factor, and wake passing frequency.

Aerodynamic Optimization of an Impulse Turbine Cascade Including Laminar/Turbulent Transition Prediction

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernesto Benini ◽  
Claudio Comis da Ronco ◽  
Rita Ponza
Keyword(s):  
Total Pressure ◽  
Pressure Coefficient ◽  
Optimization Procedure ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Aerodynamic Optimization ◽  
Impulse Turbine ◽  
Pressure Losses ◽  
Transition Prediction ◽  
Turbulent Transition ◽  
Laminar Turbulent Transition

Aerodynamic optimization of an impulse turbine rotor cascade is described in this paper. The aim of the optimization is to minimize the total pressure losses through the cascade by reshaping the turbine airfoil. For a more realistic calculation of the boundary layer and the associated losses, laminar/turbulent transition is computed by means of the commercial CFD code Fluent. The solver underwent an accurate validation before it is inserted into the optimization loop. A proper optimization procedure is developed which is based on a sequential use of two modules: first, a global search is performed using a genetic algorithm, then a local optimization is carried out by means of a Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) algorithm. The benefits of this approach are demonstrated, in that the total pressure coefficient of the cascade can be lowered up to 25%.

scholarly journals Correlation between total pressure losses of highly loaded annular diffusers and integral stage design parameters

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. I9AB30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dajan Mimic ◽  
Christoph Jätz ◽  
Florian Herbst
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Total Pressure Loss ◽  
Pressure Recovery ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Pressure Losses ◽  
Tip Leakage ◽  
Highly Loaded

Diffusers convert kinetic flow energy into a rise in static pressure. This pressure recovery is the primary aerodynamic design objective for exhaust gas diffusers in power-generating steam and gas turbines. The total pressure loss is an equally important diffuser design parameter. It is strongly linked to the pressure recovery and the residual kinetic energy of the diffuser outlet flow. A reduction benefits the overall thermodynamic cycle, which requires the adjacent components of a diffuser to be included in the design process. This paper focuses on the total pressure losses in the boundary layer of a highly loaded annular diffuser. Due to its large opening angle the diffuser is susceptible to flow separation under uniform inlet conditions, which is a major source for total pressure losses. However, the unsteady tip leakage vortices of the upstream rotor, which are a source of losses, stabilise the boundary layer and prevent separation. Experiments and unsteady numerical simulation conducted show that the total pressure loss reduction caused by the delayed boundary layer separation exceed the vortex-induced losses by far. This flow interaction between the rotor and diffuser consequently decreases the overall total pressure losses. The intensity of the tip leakage vortex is linked to three rotor design parameters, namely work coefficient, flow coefficient and reduced blade-passing frequency. Based on these parameters, we propose a semi-empiric correlation to predict and evaluate the change in total pressure losses with regards to design operating conditions.

Efficient Aerodynamic Optimization of an Impulse Turbine Rotor Cascade

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernesto Benini ◽  
Rita Ponza ◽  
Claudio Comis da Ronco ◽  
Irene Ventrucci
Keyword(s):  
Total Pressure ◽  
Fitness Function ◽  
Pressure Coefficient ◽  
Optimization Procedure ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Aerodynamic Optimization ◽  
Impulse Turbine ◽  
Pressure Losses

This paper describes an efficient aerodynamic optimization method for an impulse turbine rotor cascade. The aim of the optimization is to minimize the total pressure losses through the cascade by controlling the shape of a portion of the turbine airfoil, i.e. the pressure side and the rear part of the suction side. This is done with the intention of reducing the complexity of the problem to be solved, as well as because of the particular nature of the losses being generated. For this purpose, the commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code Fluent© is used where a transition model is implemented, prior an accurate validation has been carried out. A proper optimization procedure is developed which is based on a sequential use of several modules: first, a Design of Experiment (DOE) analysis is performed, then a Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is employed to build a surrogate model of the fitness function, which is in turn minimized using a Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) algorithm. The benefits of this approach are demonstrated, in that the total pressure coefficient of the cascade can be lowered up to 13%.

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