Numerical investigation into the effects of a radial gap on hydraulic turbine performance

2001 ◽  
Vol 215 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-107
Author(s):  
K Sato ◽  
L He
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Hydraulic Turbine ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Vaned Diffuser ◽  
Dual Time Stepping ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Nozzle Guide ◽  
Radial Gap ◽  
Nozzle Guide Vanes

The effects of the rotor/stator blade row interaction on the performance of radial turbine stages are investigated numerically. A three-dimensional unsteady incompressible Navier-Stokes method based on the dual-time stepping and the pseudocompressibility method is developed for the performance prediction. A centrifugal pump with a vaned diffuser is calculated for validation purposes, and the predicted unsteady flow results show reasonable agreement with the experimental data. The method is applied to analysis of hydraulic turbine stages. A generic turbine rotor is combined with a row of nozzle guide vanes with three settings of radial gap and numerical flow simulations are conducted for the performance evaluations. The predicted efficiency of the hydraulic turbine stages deteriorates if the radial gap between blade rows is reduced although the difference is very small. The entropy rises along the streamlines suggest that the differences in the stage efficiency level can be largely attributed to the loss generated in the nozzle vane passages.

The Interaction of Turbine Inter-Platform Leakage Flow With the Mainstream Flow

2005 ◽  
Vol 129 (2) ◽  
pp. 303-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Reid ◽  
John Denton ◽  
Graham Pullan ◽  
Eric Curtis ◽  
John Longley
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Turbine Performance ◽  
Leakage Flow Rate ◽  
Single Piece ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Nozzle Guide ◽  
Nozzle Guide Vanes ◽  
Leakage Fraction

Individual nozzle guide vanes (NGV’s) in modern aeroengines are often cast as a single piece with integral hub and casing endwalls. When in operation, there is a leakage flow through the chord-wise interplatform gaps. An investigation into the effect of this leakage flow on turbine performance is presented. Efficiency measurements and NGV exit area traverse data from a low-speed research turbine are reported. Tests show that this leakage flow can have a significant impact on turbine performance, but that below a threshold leakage fraction this penalty does not rise with increasing leakage flow rate. The effect of various seal clearances are also investigated. Results from steady-state simulations using a three-dimensional multiblock Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes solver are presented with particular emphasis paid to the physics of the mainstream/leakage interaction and the loss generation.

Mechanism and Flow Control on the Mismatching of Impeller and Vaned Diffuser Caused by Inlet Prewhirl for Centrifugal Compressors

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiangqiang Huang ◽  
Xinqian Zheng ◽  
Aolin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Flow Control ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Vaned Diffuser ◽  
Inlet Distortion ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Stagger Angle ◽  
Good Agreement ◽  
Matching Relation

Air often flows into compressors with inlet prewhirl, because it will obtain a circumferential component of velocity via inlet distortion or swirl generators such as inlet guide vanes. A lot of research has shown that inlet prewhirl does influence the characteristics of components, but the change of the matching relation between the components caused by inlet prewhirl is still unclear. This paper investigates the influence of inlet prewhirl on the matching of the impeller and the diffuser and proposes a flow control method to cure mismatching. The approach combines steady three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations with theoretical analysis and modeling. The result shows that a compressor whose impeller and diffuser match well at zero prewhirl will go to mismatching at non-zero prewhirl. The diffuser throat gets too large to match the impeller at positive prewhirl and gets too small for matching at negative prewhirl. The choking mass flow of the impeller is more sensitive to inlet prewhirl than that of the diffuser, which is the main reason for the mismatching. To cure the mismatching via adjusting the diffuser vanes stagger angle, a one-dimensional method based on incidence matching has been proposed to yield a control schedule for adjusting the diffuser. The optimal stagger angle predicted by analytical method has good agreement with that predicted by computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The compressor is able to operate efficiently in a much broader flow range with the control schedule. The flow range, where the efficiency is above 80%, of the datum compressor and the compressor only employing inlet prewhirl and no control are just 25.3% and 31.8%, respectively. For the compressor following the control schedule, the flow range is improved up to 46.5%. This paper also provides the perspective of components matching to think about inlet distortion.

The Extension of a Solution-Adaptive Three-Dimensional Navier–Stokes Solver Toward Geometries of Arbitrary Complexity

1993 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. N. Dawes
Keyword(s):  
Guide Vane ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Transonic Compressor ◽  
Compressor Rotor ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Nozzle Guide Vane ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Nozzle Guide

This paper describes recent developments to a three-dimensional, unstructured mesh, solution-adaptive Navier–Stokes solver. By adopting a simple, pragmatic but systematic approach to mesh generation, the range of simulations that can be attempted is extended toward arbitrary geometries. The combined benefits of the approach result in a powerful analytical ability. Solutions for a wide range of flows are presented, including a transonic compressor rotor, a centrifugal impeller, a steam turbine nozzle guide vane with casing extraction belt, the internal coolant passage of a radial inflow turbine, and a turbine disk cavity flow.

Improving the Performance of a Turbine With Low Aspect Ratio Stators by Aft-Loading

2004 ◽  
Vol 128 (3) ◽  
pp. 492-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Pullan ◽  
John Denton ◽  
Eric Curtis
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Loss Reduction ◽  
Low Aspect Ratio ◽  
Surface Pressure Distribution ◽  
Loaded Surface ◽  
Nozzle Guide ◽  
Nozzle Guide Vanes ◽  
Stage Efficiency

Experimental data and numerical simulations are presented from a research turbine with low aspect ratio nozzle guide vanes (NGVs). The combined effects of mechanical and aerodynamic constraints on the NGV create very strong secondary flows. This paper describes three designs of NGV that have been tested in the turbine, using the same rotor row in each case. NGV 2 used three-dimensional design techniques in an attempt to improve the performance of the datum NGV 1 blade, but succeeded only in creating an intense vortex shed from the trailing edge (as previously reported) and lowering the measured stage efficiency by 1.1% points. NGV 3 was produced to avoid the “shed vortex” while adopting a highly aft-loaded surface pressure distribution to reduce the influence of the secondary flows. The stage with NGV 3 had an efficiency 0.5% points greater than that with NGV 1. Detailed comparisons between experiment and computations, including predicted entropy generation rates, are used to highlight the areas where the loss reduction has occurred and hence to quantify the effects of employing highly aft-loaded NGVs.

Three-Dimensional Navier-Stokes Analysis of Turbine Rotor and Tip-Leakage Flowfield

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Luo ◽  
B. Lakshminarayana
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Tip Leakage Flow ◽  
Tip Leakage ◽  
Blade Tip

The 3-D viscous flowfield in the rotor passage of a single-stage turbine, including the tip-leakage flow, is computed using a Navier-Stokes procedure. A grid-generation code has been developed to obtain embedded H grids inside the rotor tip gap. The blade tip geometry is accurately modeled without any “pinching”. Chien’s low-Reynolds-number k-ε model is employed for turbulence closure. Both the mean-flow and turbulence transport equations are integrated in time using a four-stage Runge-Kutta scheme. The computational results for the entire turbine rotor flow, particularly the tip-leakage flow and the secondary flows, are interpreted and compared with available data. The predictions for major features of the flowfield are found to be in good agreement with the data. Complicated interactions between the tip-clearance flows and the secondary flows are examined in detail. The effects of endwall rotation on the development and interaction of secondary and tip-leakage vortices are also analyzed.

Three-Dimensional/One-Dimensional Combined Simulation of Deep Surge Loop in a Turbocharger Compressor With Vaned Diffuser

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghislaine Ngo Boum ◽  
Rodolfo Bontempo ◽  
Isabelle Trébinjac
Keyword(s):  
System Modeling ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Vaned Diffuser ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Compressor Surge ◽  
Important Challenge ◽  
Unsteady Rans ◽  
Combined Simulation

High accuracy simulation of compressor surge origin and growth is an important challenge for designers of systems using compressors likely to develop that severe instability. Indeed, understanding its driving phenomena, which can be system dependent, is necessary to build an adequate strategy to avoid or control surge emergence. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, commonly used to explore flow in the compressor, need then to be extended beyond the compressor as surge is a system scale instability. To get an insight on the path to surge and through surge cycles, a reliable alternative to full three-dimensional (3D) system modeling is used for a turbocharger compressor inserted in an experimental test rig. The air flow in the whole circuit, is modeled with a one-dimensional (1D) Navier Stokes approach which is coupled with a 3D unsteady RANS modeling of the 360 deg air flow in the centrifugal compressor including the volute. Starting from an initial stable flow solution in the system, the back-pressure valve is progressively closed to reduce the massflow and trigger the instability. An entire deep surge loop is simulated and compared with good agreement with the experimental data. The existence of a system-induced convective wave is revealed, and its major role on surge inception at diffuser inlet demonstrated.

scholarly journals Computation of Flow Past a Turbine Blade With and Without Tip Clearance

1991 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. R. Briley ◽  
D. V. Roscoe ◽  
H. J. Gibeling ◽  
R. C. Buggeln ◽  
J. S. Sabnis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Main Stream ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Tip Leakage Flow ◽  
Gas Generator

Three-dimensional solutions of the ensemble-averaged Navier-Stokes equations have been computed for a high-turning turbine rotor passage, both with and without tip clearance effects. The geometry is Pratt & Whitney’s preliminary design for the Generic Gas Generator Turbine (GGGT), having an axial chord of 0.5 inch and turning angle of about 160 degrees. The solutions match the design Reynolds number of 3x 106/inch and design inflow/outflow distributions of flow quantities. The grid contains 627,000 points, including 20 radial points in the clearance gap of 0.015 inch, and has a minimum spacing of 10−4 inch adjacent to all surfaces. The solutions account for relative motion of the blade and shroud surfaces and include a backstep on the shroud. Computed results are presented which show the general flow behavior, especially near the tip clearance and backstep regions. The results are generally consistent with experimental observations for other geometries having thinner blades and smaller turning angles. The leakage flow includes some fluid originally in the freestream at 91 percent span. Downstream, the leakage flow behaves as a wall jet directed at 100 degrees to the main stream, with total pressure and temperature higher than the freestream. Radial distributions of circumferentially-averaged flow quantities are compared for solutions with and without tip leakage flow. Two-dimensional solutions are also presented for the mid-span blade geometry for design and off-design inflow angles.

Physics-Based Part Orientation and Sentencing: A Solution to Manufacturing Variability

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Yao Lee ◽  
William N. Dawes ◽  
John D. Coull
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Performance Control ◽  
Turbine Rotor Blade ◽  
Geometric Tolerancing ◽  
Performance Variability ◽  
Geometric Tolerances ◽  
Aero Engine ◽  
Part Orientation

Abstract Casting deviations introduce geometric variability that impacts the aerodynamic performance of turbomachinery. These effects are studied for a high-pressure turbine rotor blade from a modern aero-engine. A sample of 197 blades were measured using structured-light three-dimensional scanning, and the performance of each blade is quantified using Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations. Casting variation is typically managed by applying geometric tolerances to determine the suitability of a component for service. The analysis demonstrates that this approach may not be optimal since it does not necessarily align with performance, in particular the capacity and efficiency. Alternatively, functional acceptance based on the predicted performance of each blade removes the uncertainty associated with geometric tolerancing and gives better performance control. Building on these findings, the paper proposes a method to set the orientation of the fir-tree, which is machined after casting. By customizing the alignment of each blade, performance variability and scrap rates can be significantly reduced. The method uses predictions of performance to reorient the castings to compensate for manufacturing-induced errors, without changing the design-intent blade geometry and with minimal changes to the manufacturing facility.

A Numerical Study on Performances of Centrifugal Compressor Stages With Different Radial Gaps

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Sato ◽  
L. He
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Vaned Diffuser ◽  
Navier Stokes Equations ◽  
Performance Predictions ◽  
Radial Gap

A numerical study of 3D unsteady flows in centrifugal compressor stages solving the Navier-Stokes equations is presented. The emphasis is on the effect of the radial gap between blade rows on the aerodynamic performance. In the numerical tests, Krain’s centrifugal impeller was combined with a DCA (Double Circular Arc) type radial vaned diffuser. The compressor stages with three settings of radial gap ranging from 5 to 15 percent of the impeller trailing edge radius are configured and unsteady flow simulations are carried out to compare the time-averaged efficiencies. The performance predictions show that the efficiency is deteriorated if the radial gap between blade rows is reduced with intensified blade row interaction, which is in contradiction to the general trend for axial compressor stages. In the centrifugal compressors tested, wake chopping by diffuser vanes, which usually benefits efficiency in axial compressor stages, causes unfavourable wake compression through the diffuser passages to deteriorate the efficiency.

The Importance of Circumferential Non-uniformities in a Passage-Averaged Quasi-Three-Dimensional Turbomachinery Design System

1986 ◽  
Vol 108 (2) ◽  
pp. 240-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. K. Jennions ◽  
P. Stow
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Guide Vane ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Radial Pressure ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Design System ◽  
Radial Pressure Gradient ◽  
Flow Effects ◽  
Nozzle Guide ◽  
Turbomachinery Design

The purpose of this paper is to show, for both rotating and non-rotating blade rows, the importance of including circumferential non-uniform flow effects in a quasi-three-dimensional blade design system. The paper follows from previous publications on the system in which the mathematical analysis and computerized system are detailed. Results are presented for a different stack of the nozzle guide vane presented previously and for a turbine rotor. In the former case it is again found that the blade force represents a major contribution to the radial pressure gradient, while for the rotor the radial pressure gradient is dominated by centrifugal effects. In both examples the effects of circumferential non-uniformities are detailed and discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document