scholarly journals Unsteady Flow Field Characterization of Effusion Cooling Systems with Swirling Main Flow: Comparison Between Cylindrical and Shaped Holes

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 4993
Author(s):  
Tommaso Lenzi ◽  
Alessio Picchi ◽  
Tommaso Bacci ◽  
Antonio Andreini ◽  
Bruno Facchini

The presence of injectors with strongly swirled flows, used to promote flame stability in the combustion chambers of gas turbines, influences the behaviour of the effusion cooling jets and consequently of the liner’s cooling capabilities. For this reason, unsteady behaviour of the jets in the presence of swirling flow requires a characterization by means of experimental flow field analyses. The experimental setup of this work consists of a non-reactive single-sector linear combustor test rig, scaled up with respect to the real engine geometry to increase spatial resolution and to reduce the frequencies of the unsteadiness. It is equipped with a radial swirler and multi-perforated effusion plates to simulate the liner cooling system. Two effusion plates were tested and compared: with cylindrical and with laid-back fan-shaped 7-7-7 holes in staggered arrangement. Time resolved Particle Image Velocimetry has been carried out: the unsteady characteristics of the jets, promoted by the intermittent interactions with the turbulent mainstream, have been investigated as their vortex structures and turbulent decay. The results demonstrate how an unsteady analysis is necessary to provide a complete characterization of the coolant behaviour and of its turbulent mixing with mainflow, which affect, in turn, the film cooling capability and liner’s lifetime.

Author(s):  
Hong Yin

In advanced gas turbine technology, lean premixed combustion is an effective strategy to reduce peak temperature and thus, NO[Formula: see text] emissions. The swirler is adopted to establish recirculation flow zone, enhancing mixing and stabilizing the flame. Therefore, the swirling flow is dominant in the combustor flow field and has impact on the vane. This paper mainly investigates the swirling flow effect on the turbine first stage vane cooling system by conducting a group of numerical simulations. Firstly, the numerical methods of turbulence modeling using RANS and LES are compared. The computational model of one single swirl flow field is considered. Both the RANS and LES results give reasonable recirculation zone shape. When comparing the velocity distribution, the RANS results generally match the experimental data but fail to at some local area. The LES modeling gives better results and more detailed unsteady flow field. In the second step, the RANS modeling is incorporated to investigate the vane film cooling performance under the swirling inflow boundary condition. According to the numerical results, the leading edge film cooling is largely altered by the swirling flow, especially for the swirl core-leading edge aligned case. Compared to the pressure side, the suction side film cooling is more sensitive to the swirling flow. Locally, the film cooling jet is lifted and turned by the strong swirling flow.


2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Lenzi ◽  
L. Palanti ◽  
A. Picchi ◽  
T. Bacci ◽  
L. Mazzei ◽  
...  

Abstract Film-cooling jets behavior in a combustor chamber is deeply affected by swirling flow interactions and unsteadiness; on the other hand, the jets behavior has a direct impact on different phenomena such as cooling capabilities and ignition. For these reasons, an in-depth characterization of the film-cooling flows in the presence of a swirling main flow and demands dedicated time-resolved analyses. The experimental setup consists of a nonreactive single-sector linear combustor simulator installed in an open-loop wind tunnel. It is equipped with a swirler and a multiperforated plate to simulate the effusion cooling system of the liner. The rig is scaled with respect to the engine configuration to increase spatial resolution and to reduce the characteristic frequencies of the unsteady phenomena. Time-resolved particle image velocimetry (TRPIV) was exploited for the investigation testing different values of liner pressure drop. In addition, numerical investigations were carried out to gain a deeper insight of the behavior highlighted by the experiments and to assess the capability of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in predicting the flow physics. In this work, the stress-blended eddy simulation (SBES) approach implemented in ansys fluent was adopted. Oscillations of the jets and intermittent interactions of the mainstream with the wall of the liner and hence with the film development have been investigated in detail. The results demonstrate how an unsteady analysis of the flow structures that characterize the jets, the turbulent mixing of coolant flows, and the interaction between mainstream and cooling jets is strictly necessary to have a complete knowledge of the behavior of the coolant, which in turn affects combustor operability and life time.


Author(s):  
L. Mazzei ◽  
A. Andreini ◽  
B. Facchini ◽  
F. Turrini

This paper reports the main findings of a numerical investigation aimed at characterizing the flow field and the wall heat transfer resulting from the interaction of a swirling flow provided by lean burn injectors and a slot cooling system, which generates film cooling in the first part of the combustor liner. In order to overcome some well-known limitations of RANS approach, e.g. the underestimation of mixing, the simulations were performed with hybrid RANS-LES models, namely SAS-SST and DES-SST, which are proving to be a viable approach to resolve the main structures of the flow field. The numerical results were compared to experimental data obtained on a non-reactive three sector planar rig developed in the context of the EU project LEMCOTEC. The analysis of the flow field has highlighted a generally good agreement against PIV measurements, especially for the SAS-SST model, whereas DES-SST returns some discrepancies in the opening angle of the swirling flow, altering the location of the corner vortex. Also the assessment in terms of Nu/Nu0 distribution confirms the overall accuracy of SAS-SST, where a constant over-prediction in the magnitude of the heat transfer is shown by DES-SST, even though potential improvements with mesh refinement are pointed out.


Author(s):  
T. Lenzi ◽  
L. Palanti ◽  
A. Picchi ◽  
T. Bacci ◽  
L. Mazzei ◽  
...  

Abstract Film cooling jets behaviour in a combustor chamber is deeply affected by swirling flow interactions and unsteadiness; on the other hand, the jets behaviour has a direct impact on different phenomena such as cooling capabilities and ignition. For these reasons, an in-depth characterization of the film-cooling flows in the presence of a swirling mainflow, demands dedicated time-resolved analyses. The experimental setup consists of a non-reactive single-sector linear combustor simulator installed in an open loop wind tunnel. It is equipped with a swirler and a multiperforated plate to simulate the effusion cooling system of the liner. The rig is scaled with respect to the engine configuration, to increase spatial resolution and to reduce the characteristic frequencies of the unsteady phenomena. Time-Resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (TRPIV) was exploited for the investigation testing different values of liner pressure drop. In addition, numerical investigations were carried out to gain a deeper insight of the behaviour highlighted by the experiments and to assess the capability of CFD in predicting the flow physics. In this work, the Stress-Blended Eddy Simulation (SBES) approach implemented in ANSYS Fluent was adopted. Oscillations of the jets and intermittent interactions of the mainstream with the wall of the liner and hence with the film development have been investigated in detail. The results demonstrate how an unsteady analysis of the flow structures that characterize the jets, the turbulent mixing of coolant flows and the interaction between mainstream and cooling jets is strictly necessary to have a complete knowledge of the behaviour of the coolant which in turn affects combustor operability and life-time.


Author(s):  
Felipe A. C. Viana ◽  
Jack Madelone ◽  
Niranjan Pai ◽  
Genghis Khan ◽  
Sanghum Baik

To achieve high efficiency, modern gas turbines operate at temperatures that exceed melting points of metal alloys used in turbine hot gas path parts. Parts exposed to hot gas are actively cooled with a portion of the compressor discharge air (e.g., through film cooling) to keep the metal temperature at levels needed to meet durability requirements. However, to preserve efficiency, it is important to optimize the cooling system to use the least amount of cooling flow. In this study, film cooling optimization is achieved by varying cooling hole diameters, hole to hole spacing, and film row placements so that the specified targets for maximum metal temperature are met while preserving (or saving) cooling flow. The computational cost of the high-fidelity physics models, the large number of design variables, the large number and nonlinearity of responses impose severe challenges to numerical optimization. Design of experiments and cheap-to-evaluate approximations (radial basis functions) are used to alleviate the computational burden. Then, the goal attainment method is used for optimizing of film cooling configuration. The results for a turbine blade design show significant improvements in temperature distribution while maintaining/reducing the amount of used cooling flow.


Author(s):  
A. W. Reichert ◽  
M. Janssen

Siemens heavy duty Gas Turbines have been well known for their high power output combined with high efficiency and reliability for more than 3 decades. Offering state of the art technology at all times, the requirements concerning the cooling and sealing air system have increased with technological development over the years. In particular the increase of the turbine inlet temperature and reduced NOx requirements demand a highly efficient cooling and sealing air system. The new Vx4.3A family of Siemens gas turbines with ISO turbine inlet temperatures of 1190°C in the power range of 70 to 240 MW uses an effective film cooling technique for the turbine stages 1 and 2 to ensure the minimum cooling air requirement possible. In addition, the application of film cooling enables the cooling system to be simplified. For example, in the new gas turbine family no intercooler and no cooling air booster for the first turbine vane are needed. This paper deals with the internal air system of Siemens gas turbines which supplies cooling and sealing air. A general overview is given and some problems and their technical solutions are discussed. Furthermore a state of the art calculation system for the prediction of the thermodynamic states of the cooling and sealing air is introduced. The calculation system is based on the flow calculation package Flowmaster (Flowmaster International Ltd.), which has been modified for the requirements of the internal air system. The comparison of computational results with measurements give a good impression of the high accuracy of the calculation method used.


Author(s):  
James P. Downs ◽  
Kenneth K. Landis

Over a half a century ago, the power and performance of the first gas turbine engines were constrained by material limits on operating temperature. In these machines, the combustor exit temperature could not exceed the capability of the materials used to construct the turbine. Eventually, cooling was introduced into turbine components to enable turbine power and efficiency to be increased. That revolutionary step enabled gas turbines to become competitive with other heat engines for business, particularly in the rapidly expanding aviation and electrical power generation sectors. Although the first cooled turbine components may be considered crude by present standards, the underlying foundation of internal convection cooling remains the backbone for cooled turbine components today. Since its introduction, many improvements and additions to the fundamental basis of turbine component cooling have been developed. The introduction of film cooling is a prominent example. With this past research and development, turbine cooling system designs have progressed to the point where they represent the norm, rather than the exception in today’s gas turbines. Further, the confidence and robustness of these systems has been elevated to the point where the working fluid temperatures can exceed the maximum temperature of the structural materials by wide margins. In this paper, from an engineering perspective, we explore some of the significant accomplishments that have led to the current state-of-the-art in turbine cooling systems design. These systems employ a delicate balance of structural material capabilities with advanced internal and film cooling and the use of thermal barrier coatings to satisfy the goals and objectives of specific applications. At the same time, it is widely recognized that the use of cooling flows in the turbine results in parasitic losses that reduce performance. To that end, we also consider some of the specific challenges that face cooling system designers to reduce cooling flows today. Based on the research and development that has been performed to date, we consider the current status of cooling technology relative to a theoretical peak. Finally, we explore some of the hurdles that must be overcome to effectively raise the bar and realize future advancement of the state-of-the-art. The goal is to measure and separate new technologies that are merely different from those that are superior to past designs. Clearly, the identification of risk and risk reduction will play an important role in the development of future turbine cooling systems.


Author(s):  
Markus Schmidt ◽  
Christoph Starke

This article presents results for the coupled simulation of a high-pressure turbine stage in consideration of unsteady hot gas flows. A semi-unsteady coupling process was developed to solve the conjugate heat transfer problem for turbine components of gas turbines. Time-resolved CFD simulations are coupled to a finite element solver for the steady state heat conduction inside of the blade material. A simplified turbine stage geometry is investigated in this paper to describe the influence of the unsteady flow field onto the time-averaged heat transfer. Comparisons of the time-resolved results to steady state results indicate the importance of a coupled simulation and the consideration of the time-dependent flow-field. Different film-cooling configurations for the turbine NGV are considered, resulting in different temperature and pressure deficits in the vane wake. Their contribution to non-linear effects causing the time-averaged heat load to differ from a steady result is discussed to further highlight the necessity of unsteady design methods for future turbine developments. A strong increase in the pressure side heat transfer coefficients for unsteady simulations is observed in all results. For higher film-cooling mass flows in the upstream row, the preferential migration of hot fluid towards the pressure side of a turbine blade is amplified as well, which leads to a strong increase in material temperature at the pressure side and also in the blade tip region.


Author(s):  
P. Adami ◽  
F. Martelli ◽  
K. S. Chana ◽  
F. Montomoli

Film-cooling is commonly used in modern gas turbines to increase inlet temperatures without compromising the mechanical strength of the hot components. The main objective of the study reported here is the critical evaluation of the capability of CFD, to predict film-cooling on three-dimensional engine realistic turbine aerofoil geometries. To achieve this aim two different film-cooling systems for NGV aerofoils are predicted and compared against experiments. The application concerns the following turbine vanes: • the AGTB-B1 blade investigated by the “Institut fur Strahlantriebe of the Universitat der Bundeswehr Munchen (Germany)”; • the MT1 HP NGV investigated by QinetiQ (ex DERA, UK). In the first test case the application mainly focuses on the interaction between the main flow and the coolant jets on the leading edge of the cooled aerofoil. In the second case, vane heat transfer rate is predicted with the film-cooling system made of six rows of cylindrical holes in single and staggered configuration.


Author(s):  
Franz Puetz ◽  
Johannes Kneer ◽  
Achmed Schulz ◽  
Hans-Joerg Bauer

An increased demand for lower emission of stationary gas turbines as well as civil aircraft engines has led to new, low emission combustor designs with less liner cooling and a flattened temperature profile at the outlet. As a consequence, the heat load on the endwall of the first nozzle guide vane is increased. The secondary flow field dominates the endwall heat transfer, which also contributes to aerodynamic losses. A promising approach to reduce these losses is non-axisymmetric endwall contouring. The effects of non-axisymmetric endwall contouring on heat transfer and film cooling are yet to be investigated. Therefore, a new cascade test rig has been set up in order to investigate endwall heat transfer and film cooling on both a flat and a non-axisymmetric contoured endwall. Aerodynamic measurements that have been made prior to the upcoming heat transfer investigation are shown. Periodicity and detailed vane Mach number distributions ranging from 0 to 50% span together with the static pressure distribution on the endwall give detailed information about the aerodynamic behavior and influence of the endwall contouring. The aerodynamic study is backed by an oil paint study, which reveals qualitative information on the effect of the contouring on the endwall flow field. Results show that the contouring has a pronounced effect on vane and endwall pressure distribution and on the endwall flow field. The local increase and decrease of velocity and the reduced blade loading towards the endwall is the expected behavior of the 3d contouring. So are the results of the oil paint visualization, which show a strong change of flow field in the leading edge region as well as that the contouring delays the horse shoe vortex hitting the suction side.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document