scholarly journals The required aerodynamic simulation fidelity to usefully support a gas turbine Digital Twin for manufacturing

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 15-27
Author(s):  
Wen Yao Lee ◽  
William Dawes ◽  
John Coull
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Horseshoe Vortex ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Good Prediction ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Digital Twin ◽  
Single Passage ◽  
Geometric Data

With the imminent digitalisation of the manufacturing processes of gas turbine components, a large volume of geometric data of as-manufactured parts is being generated. This geometric data can be used in aerodynamic simulations to predict component performance. Both the cost and accuracy of these simulations increase with their fidelity. To efficiently exploit Digital Twin technology, one must therefore understand how realistic the aerodynamic simulations need to be to give useful performance predictions. This paper considers this issue for a sample of scrapped high-pressure turbine rotor blades from a civil aero engine. The measured geometric data was used to build aerodynamic models of varying degrees of realism, ranging from quasi-three-dimensional blade sections for an Euler solver to three-dimensional, multi-passage and multi-stage Reynolds-Averaged-Navier-Stokes models. The flow near the tip of these shrouded blades is sensitive to manufacturing variability and can switch between two quasi-stable horseshoe vortex modes. In general, capacity and exit flow angle can be adequately predicted by three-dimensional, single-passage calculations: averaging single-passage calculations gives a good prediction of the multi-passage behaviour. For efficiency and stage loading, the approach of averaging single-passage calculations is less accurate as the multi-passage behaviour requires an accurate prediction of the horseshoe vortex modes.

scholarly journals A Numerical Method for the Analysis of 3D Viscous Compressible Flow in Turbine Cascades: Application to Secondary Flow Development in a Cascade With and Without Dihedral

1986 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. N. Dawes
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Flow ◽  
Compressible Flow ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Computer Code ◽  
Horseshoe Vortex ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Flow Development ◽  
Viscous Compressible Flow

The present paper describes a computer code, currently under development, aimed at solving the equations of three-dimensional viscous compressible flow in turbomachinery goemetries. The code uses a simple, novel pre-processed implicit algorithm. An outline of the method is given and the current capabilities of the code are assessed. The code is applied to the study of the flowfield in a cascade of transonic gas turbine rotor blades. The geometry and the presence of inlet end-wall boundary layers lead to significant three-dimensional effects. The pattern of secondary flow development, including the details of the leading edge horseshoe vortex and associated saddle point, are clearly resolved and correspond to experimental experience. A computation is also presented to show the influence of dihedral (non-linear stacking) on the secondary flow development.

Influence of Hot Streak/Airfoil Count Ratios on High Pressure Stage of a Vaneless Counter-Rotating Turbine

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingjun Zhao ◽  
Huishe Wang ◽  
Fei Tang ◽  
Xiaolu Zhao ◽  
Jianzhong Xu
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Peak Temperature ◽  
Combined Effects ◽  
High Pressure Turbine ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Count Ratio ◽  
Hot Streak

In order to reveal the effects of the hot streak/airfoil count ratio on the heating patterns of high pressure turbine rotor blades in a Vaneless Counter-Rotating Turbine, three-dimensional unsteady Navier-Stokes simulations have been performed. In these simulations, the ratio of the number of hot streaks to the number of the high pressure turbine vanes and rotors is 1:3:3, 1:2:2, 2:3:3 and 1:1:1, respectively. The numerical results show that the migration characteristics of the hot streak in the high pressure turbine rotor are predominated by the combined effects of secondary flow and buoyancy. The combined effects induce the high temperature fluid migrate towards the hub in the high pressure turbine rotor. And the combined effects become more intensified when the hot streak/airfoil count ratio increases. The results also indicate that the peak temperature of the hot streak is dissipated as the hot streak goes through the high pressure turbine vane or the rotor. The dissipated extent of the peak temperature in the high pressure turbine stator and the rotor is increased as the hot streak-to-airfoil ratio increases. And the increase of the hot streak/airfoil count ratio trends to increase the relative Mach number at the high pressure turbine outlet. The relative flow angle from 23% to 73% span at the high pressure turbine outlet decreases as the hot streak-to-airfoil ratio increases. The results also indicate that the isentropic efficiency of the Vaneless Counter-Rotating Turbine is decreased as the hot streak/airfoil count ratio increases.

A Simplified Model for Unstable Temperature Field Calculation of Gas Turbine Rotor

1989 ◽  
Author(s):  
He Guangxin
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Field ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Outer Radius ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Simplified Model ◽  
Field Calculation ◽  
Tree Roots ◽  
Unstable Temperature

Fir-tree roots are usually adopted for rotor blades of gas turbine. Strictly speaking it should be treated as a three-dimensional problem for temperature field calculation of turbine rotor with fir-tree roots. In this paper, a simplified model is presented for calculating the unstable temperature field of a cooled turbine rotor by finite element method. In the simplified model, an outer radius Rb for calculating has been chosen which is smaller than the radius of the fir-tree root groove’s bottom. And an equivalent heat release coefficient α has been introduced. Thus the calculation can be treated as an axial symmetrical problem and carried out on a microcomputer. The simplified model has been used to calculate the unstable temperature field during starting a rotor. The comparison with the three-dimensional calculated result shows that the simplified model is satisfactory. For example, at 170th sec. after firing the temperature difference at the outer radius Rb is only 6% for the two methods.

Experimental Studies of Leading Edge Contouring Influence on Secondary Losses in Transonic Turbines

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranjan Saha ◽  
Jens Fridh ◽  
Torsten Fransson ◽  
Boris I. Mamaev ◽  
Mats Annerfeldt
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Guide Vane ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Noticeable Effect ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Contour Plots

An experimental study of the hub leading edge contouring using fillets is performed in an annular sector cascade to observe the influence of secondary flows and aerodynamic losses. The investigated vane is a three dimensional gas turbine guide vane (geometrically similar) with a mid-span aspect ratio of 0.46. The measurements are carried out on the leading edge fillet and baseline cases using pneumatic probes. Significant precautions have been taken to increase the accuracy of the measurements. The investigations are performed for a wide range of operating exit Mach numbers from 0.5 to 0.9 at a design inlet flow angle of 90°. Data presented include the loading, fields of total pressures, exit flow angles, radial flow angles, as well as profile and secondary losses. The vane has a small profile loss of approximately 2.5% and secondary loss of about 1.1%. Contour plots of vorticity distributions and velocity vectors indicate there is a small influence of the vortex-structure in endwall regions when the leading edge fillet is used. Compared to the baseline case the loss for the filleted case is lower up to 13% of span and higher from 13% to 20% of the span for a reference condition with Mach no. of 0.9. For the filleted case, there is a small increase of turning up to 15% of the span and then a small decrease up to 35% of the span. Hence, there are no significant influences on the losses and turning for the filleted case. Results lead to the conclusion that one cannot expect a noticeable effect of leading edge contouring on the aerodynamic efficiency for the investigated 1st stage vane of a modern gas turbine.

Aerodynamic Data for Two Variants of Root Turbine Blade Sections for a 54″ Turbine Rotor Blade

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Šimurda ◽  
Martin Luxa ◽  
Pavel Šafařík ◽  
Jaroslav Synáč ◽  
Bartoloměj Rudas
Keyword(s):  
Limit Load ◽  
Axial Direction ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Angle Of Incidence ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Turbine Rotor Blade ◽  
Blade Cascade ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Kinetic Energy Loss

Aerodynamic investigations were performed on planar blade cascades representing two alternative root sections of rotor blades 54″ in length with straight fir-tree root. Each of the variants was designed for different number of blades in the rotor. This paper presents the results of measurements showing the dependency of the kinetic energy loss coefficient and the exit flow angle on the exit isoentropic Mach number and the angle of incidence. Images of the flow fields are also presented. The experimental data is analyzed to assess and document the difference between the two root section designs. Results show that requirement of straight fir tree root leading to high design incidence angles significantly limit operation range. Also in case of root sections with high exit Mach numbers a limit load conditions are an issue. In order to utilize available pressure drop blade cascade throat/pitch ratios should be kept as high as possible which favorites variant with lower number of blades and higher outlet metal angle (relative to axial direction).

Aerodynamic Design and Numerical Investigation on Overall Performance of a Micro Radial Turbine With Millimeter-Scale

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Fu ◽  
Yan Shi ◽  
Qinghua Deng ◽  
Zhenping Feng
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Micro Gas Turbine ◽  
Radial Turbine ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Low Reynolds ◽  
Exit Mach Number ◽  
Installation Technology

For millimeter-scale microturbines, the principal challenge is to achieve a design scheme to meet the aerothermodynamics, geometry restriction, structural strength and component functionality requirements while in consideration of the applicable materials, realizable manufacturing and installation technology. This paper mainly presents numerical investigations on the aerothermodynamic design, geometrical design and overall performance prediction of a millimeter-scale radial turbine with rotor diameter of 10mm. Four kinds of turbine rotor profiles were designed, and they were compared with one another in order to select the suitable profile for the micro radial turbine. The leaving velocity loss in micro gas turbines was found to be a large source of inefficiency. The approach of refining the geometric structure of rotor blades and the profile of diffuser were adopted to reduce the exit Mach number thus improving the total-static efficiency. Different from general gas turbines, micro gas turbines are operated in low Reynolds numbers, 104∼105, which has significant effect on flow separation, heat transfer and laminar to turbulent flow transition. Based on the selected rotor profile, several micro gas turbine configurations with different tip clearances of 0.1mm, 0.2mm and 0.3mm, respectively; two different isothermal wall conditions; and two laminar-turbulent transition models were investigated to understand the particular influence of low Reynolds number. These influences on the overall performance of the micro gas turbine were analyzed in details. The results indicate that these configurations should be included and emphasized during the design process of the millimeter-scale micro radial turbines.

Measurements and Predictions of Heat Transfer on Rotor Blades in a Transonic Turbine Cascade

2004 ◽  
Vol 126 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul W. Giel ◽  
Robert J. Boyle ◽  
Ronald S. Bunker
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Thin Foil ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Maximum Point ◽  
Stagnation Region ◽  
Design Point ◽  
Laminar To Turbulent Transition

Detailed heat transfer measurements and predictions are given for a power generation turbine rotor with 127 deg of nominal turning and an axial chord of 130 mm. Data were obtained for a set of four exit Reynolds numbers comprised of the facility maximum point of 2.50×106, as well as conditions which represent 50%, 25%, and 15% of this maximum condition. Three ideal exit pressure ratios were examined including the design point of 1.443, as well as conditions which represent −25% and +20% of the design value. Three inlet flow angles were examined including the design point and ±5deg off-design angles. Measurements were made in a linear cascade with highly three-dimensional blade passage flows that resulted from the high flow turning and thick inlet boundary layers. Inlet turbulence was generated with a blown square bar grid. The purpose of the work is the extension of three-dimensional predictive modeling capability for airfoil external heat transfer to engine specific conditions including blade shape, Reynolds numbers, and Mach numbers. Data were obtained by a steady-state technique using a thin-foil heater wrapped around a low thermal conductivity blade. Surface temperatures were measured using calibrated liquid crystals. The results show the effects of strong secondary vortical flows, laminar-to-turbulent transition, and also show good detail in the stagnation region.

Three-Dimensional Flow Near the Blade/Endwall Junction of a Gas Turbine: Application of a Boundary Layer Fence

1991 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. T. Chung ◽  
T. W. Simon ◽  
J. Buddhavarapu
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Film Cooling ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Horseshoe Vortex ◽  
Management Technique ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Cooling Flow ◽  
Passage Vortex ◽  
Cooling Function

A flow management technique designed to reduce some harmful effects of secondary flow in the endwall region of a turbine passage is introduced. A boundary layer fence in the gas turbine passage is shown to improve the likelihood of efficient film cooling on the suction surface near the endwall. The fence prevents the pressure side leg of the horseshoe vortex from crossing to the suction surface and impinging on the wall. The vortex is weakened and decreased in size after being deflected by the fence. Such diversion of the vortex will prevent it from removing the film cooling flow allowing the flow to perform its cooling function. Flow visualization on the suction surface and through the passage shows the behavior of the passage vortex with and without the fence. Laser Doppler velocimetry is employed to quantify these observations.

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Influence of Rotor Blades on Hot Gas Ingestion Into the Upstream Cavity of an Axial Turbine Stage

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dieter Bohn ◽  
Bernd Rudzinski ◽  
Norbert Sürken ◽  
Wolfgang Gärtner
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Gas Concentration ◽  
Hot Gas ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Gas ◽  
Static Pressure Distribution ◽  
Nozzle Guide

The phenomenon of hot gas ingestion through turbine rim seals is experimentally and numerically investigated for a complete stage with nozzle guide vanes and uncooled helicopter turbine rotor blades. In the experimental part, two different geometrical rim seal configurations are examined: 1. a simple axial gap between rotor and stator disk and 2. an axial gap between the rotor disk and a rim seal lip at the periphery of the stator disk. The results obtained are compared to experiments carried out for the same geometry but without rotor blades. The influence of the presence of rotor blades on hot gas ingestion is examined for different parameters such as nondimensional seal flow rate, Reynolds number in the turbine annulus and rotational speed. For the determination of the sealing efficiency measurements of carbon dioxide gas concentration are carried out in the wheelspace. The static pressure distribution in the cavity is measured by means of pressure taps at the stator disk. It is shown that for configuration 1 the presence of rotor blades causes a considerable drop in sealing efficiency whereas for configuration 2 the sealing efficiency increases significantly. In the numerical part results of three-dimensional unsteady CFD calculations for configuration 2 are compared to steady calculations for the same configuration without blades. Predictions of hot gas ingestion and carbon dioxide gas concentration in the hub region and inside the cavity are presented. Special emphasis is put on unsteady effects arising from rotor movement. A local ingestion zone rotating at approximately half rotor speed is numerically predicted. As indicated by the experimental results the rotor blades have a positive influence on the predicted sealing efficiency.

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