scholarly journals Dimensionless Numbers Relationships for Outer Air Seal of Low Pressure Turbine

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Kacper Pałkus ◽  
Piotr Strzelczyk
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Parametric Study ◽  
Discharge Coefficient ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Swirl Ratio ◽  
Dimensionless Numbers ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Numerical Parametric Study

The dimensional analysis and the numerical parametric study of the typical outer air seal from a low-pressure turbine were performed in the framework of the presented paper. The most crucial variables for the flow through the outer air seal were identified and further dimensionless numbers were derived. The dependent quantities resulting from the analysis were: the axial Reynolds number (formulated with the bulk velocity, corresponding to the mass flow through the seal), the outlet swirl ratio (incorporating the exit flow angle, important for mixing) and the windage heating (related to the internal losses). Additionally, the discharge coefficient was cross-checked enabling further comparison with the available literature. The comprehensive numerical parametric study included all important contributors for the flow through the seal with a parameter operating range appropriate for engine outer air seals.

Axial Loss Development in Low Pressure Turbine Cascades

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bastian Muth ◽  
Reinhard Niehuis
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Density Ratio ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Numerical Results ◽  
Validation Data ◽  
Engine Operation ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Operation Conditions

The objective of this work presented in this paper is to study the performance of low-pressure turbines in detail by extensive numerical simulations. The numerical flow simulations were conducted using the general purpose code ANSYS CFX. Particular attention is focused on the loss development in the axial direction within the flow passage of the cascade. It is shown that modern computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools are able to break down the integral loss of the turbine profile into its components, depending on attached and separated flow areas. In addition, the numerical results allow one to show the composition of the loss depending on the Reynolds number. The method of the analysis of axial loss development presented here allows for a much more comprehensive investigation and evaluation of the quality of the numerical results. For this reason, the paper also demonstrates the capability of this method to quantify the influence of the axial velocity density ratio, the inflow turbulence level, the inflow angle, and the Reynolds number on the loss configuration and the flow angle of the cascade as well as a comparison of steady state and transient results. The validation data of this low pressure turbine (LPT) cascade have been obtained at the High Speed Cascade Wind Tunnel of the Institute of Jet Propulsion. For this purpose, experiments were conducted within the range of Re2th = 40,000 to 400,000. To gather data at realistic engine operation conditions, the wind tunnel allows for an independent variation of Reynolds and Mach number. The experimental results presented herein contain detailed pressure measurements as well as measurements with 3D hot-wire anemometry. However, this paper shows only integral values of the experimental as well as the numerical results to protect the proprietary nature of the LPT design.

Improvement of Laminar-Turbulent Transition Modeling Within a Low-Pressure Turbine

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Minot ◽  
I. Salah El-Din ◽  
R. Barrier ◽  
J.-C. Boniface ◽  
J. Marty
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Mach Number ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Turbulent Transition ◽  
Laminar Turbulent Transition

The flow within turbomachines is intrinsically complex and involves boundary layer transition, separation and vortices such as the tip leakage vortex and wakes. In a low-pressure turbine, as the Reynolds number can be small, the flow over the suction side is likely to separate leading to the formation of a laminar (or transitional) separation bubble. This flow mechanism can be predicted using Large-Eddy Simulation. However the computation is still very expensive in a design framework. Thus, Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) method is used in the present investigation to simulate the flow over the low-pressure turbine airfoil T106C. The laminar-turbulent transition is modeled with the γ-Rθt~ model of Menter and Langtry. Following the work of Minot et al. in which the CFD setup was deeply investigated, the present study aims at evaluating the sensitivity to uncertainties relative to experimental values (freestream turbulence, Reynolds number, incidence flow angle and exit isentropic Mach number) and at improving this model regarding the calibration of several functions using optimization process. The uncertainty study highlights the parameters which mainly influence the isentropic Mach number and loss distributions. The new calibration of the Menter-Langtry model improves significantly the flow prediction over the suction side, except for the open bubble configuration.

The Effect of Pulsed Blowing on the Boundary Layer of a Highly Loaded Low Pressure Turbine Blade

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Mack ◽  
Roland Brachmanski ◽  
Reinhard Niehuis
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Mach Number ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Highly Loaded

The performance of the low pressure turbine (LPT) can vary appreciably, because this component operates under a wide range of Reynolds numbers. At higher Reynolds numbers, mid and aft loaded profiles have the advantage that transition of suction side boundary layer happens further downstream than at front loaded profiles, resulting in lower profile loss. At lower Reynolds numbers, aft loading of the blade can mean that if a suction side separation exists, it may remain open up to the trailing edge. This is especially the case when blade lift is increased via increased pitch to chord ratio. There is a trend in research towards exploring the effect of coupling boundary layer control with highly loaded turbine blades, in order to maximize performance over the full relevant Reynolds number range. In an earlier work, pulsed blowing with fluidic oscillators was shown to be effective in reducing the extent of the separated flow region and to significantly decrease the profile losses caused by separation over a wide range of Reynolds numbers. These experiments were carried out in the High-Speed Cascade Wind Tunnel of the German Federal Armed Forces University Munich, Germany, which allows to capture the effects of pulsed blowing at engine relevant conditions. The assumed control mechanism was the triggering of boundary layer transition by excitation of the Tollmien-Schlichting waves. The current work aims to gain further insight into the effects of pulsed blowing. It investigates the effect of a highly efficient configuration of pulsed blowing at a frequency of 9.5 kHz on the boundary layer at a Reynolds number of 70000 and exit Mach number of 0.6. The boundary layer profiles were measured at five positions between peak Mach number and the trailing edge with hot wire anemometry and pneumatic probes. Experiments were conducted with and without actuation under steady as well as periodically unsteady inflow conditions. The results show the development of the boundary layer and its interaction with incoming wakes. It is shown that pulsed blowing accelerates transition over the separation bubble and drastically reduces the boundary layer thickness.

An Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Freestream Turbulence on the Wake of a Separated Low-Pressure Turbine Blade at Low Reynolds Numbers

1999 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. G. Murawski ◽  
K. Vafai
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Freestream Turbulence ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Low Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Flow Reynolds Number

An experimental study was conducted in a two-dimensional linear cascade, focusing on the suction surface of a low pressure turbine blade. Flow Reynolds numbers, based on exit velocity and suction length, have been varied from 50,000 to 300,000. The freestream turbulence intensity was varied from 1.1 to 8.1 percent. Separation was observed at all test Reynolds numbers. Increasing the flow Reynolds number, without changing freestream turbulence, resulted in a rearward movement of the onset of separation and shrinkage of the separation zone. Increasing the freestream turbulence intensity, without changing Reynolds number, resulted in shrinkage of the separation region on the suction surface. The influences on the blade’s wake from altering freestream turbulence and Reynolds number are also documented. It is shown that width of the wake and velocity defect rise with a decrease in either turbulence level or chord Reynolds number. [S0098-2202(00)00202-9]

Transition Mechanisms in Laminar Separated Flow Under Simulated Low Pressure Turbine Aerofoil Conditions

2012 ◽  
Vol 135 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerrit Dähnert ◽  
Christoph Lyko ◽  
Dieter Peitsch
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Separated Flow ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Main Flow ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine

Based on detailed experimental work conducted at a low speed test facility, this paper describes the transition process in the presence of a separation bubble with low Reynolds number, low free-stream turbulence, and steady main flow conditions. A pressure distribution has been created on a long flat plate by means of a contoured wall opposite of the plate, matching the suction side of a modern low-pressure turbine aerofoil. The main flow conditions for four Reynolds numbers, based on suction surface length and nominal exit velocity, were varied from 80,000 to 300,000, which covers the typical range of flight conditions. Velocity profiles and the overall flow field were acquired in the boundary layer at several streamwise locations using hot-wire anemometry. The data given is in the form of contours for velocity, turbulence intensity, and turbulent intermittency. The results highlight the effects of Reynolds number, the mechanisms of separation, transition, and reattachment, which feature laminar separation-long bubble and laminar separation-short bubble modes. For each Reynolds number, the onset of transition, the transition length, and the general characteristics of separated flow are determined. These findings are compared to the measurement results found in the literature. Furthermore, the experimental data is compared with two categories of correlation functions also given in the literature: (1) correlations predicting the onset of transition and (2) correlations predicting the mode of separated flow transition. Moreover, it is shown that the type of instability involved corresponds to the inviscid Kelvin-Helmholtz instability mode at a dominant frequency that is in agreement with the typical ranges occurring in published studies of separated and free-shear layers.

Using Turbulence Intensity and Reynolds Number to Predict Flow Separation on a Highly Loaded, Low-Pressure Gas Turbine Blade at Low Reynolds Numbers

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Van Treuren ◽  
Tyler Pharris ◽  
Olivia Hirst
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Flow Separation ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
High Altitudes ◽  
Low Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine

The low-pressure turbine has become more important in the last few decades because of the increased emphasis on higher overall pressure and bypass ratios. The desire is to increase blade loading to reduce blade counts and stages in the low-pressure turbine of a gas turbine engine. Increased turbine inlet temperatures for newer cycles results in higher temperatures in the low-pressure turbine, especially the latter stages, where cooling technologies are not used. These higher temperatures lead to higher work from the turbine and this, combined with the high loadings, can lead to flow separation. Separation is more likely in engines operating at high altitudes and reduced throttle setting. At the high Reynolds numbers found at takeoff, the flow over a low-pressure turbine blade tends to stay attached. At lower blade Reynolds numbers (25,000 to 200,000), found during cruise at high altitudes, the flow on the suction surface of the low-pressure turbine blades is inclined to separate. This paper is a study on the flow characteristics of the L1A turbine blade at three low Reynolds numbers (60,000, 108,000, and 165,000) and 15 turbulence intensities (1.89% to 19.87%) in a steady flow cascade wind tunnel. With this data, it is possible to examine the impact of Reynolds number and turbulence intensity on the location of the initiation of flow separation, the flow separation zone, and the reattachment location. Quantifying the change in separated flow as a result of varying Reynolds numbers and turbulence intensities will help to characterize the low momentum flow environments in which the low-pressure turbine must operate and how this might impact the operation of the engine. Based on the data presented, it is possible to predict the location and size of the separation as a function of both the Reynolds number and upstream freestream turbulence intensity (FSTI). Being able to predict this flow behavior can lead to more effective blade designs using either passive or active flow control to reduce or eliminate flow separation.

scholarly journals Characterization of Periodic Incoming Wakes in a Low-Pressure Turbine Cascade Test Section by Means of a Fast-Response Single Sensor Virtual Three-Hole Probe

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Julien Clinckemaillie ◽  
Tony Arts
Keyword(s):  
Total Pressure ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Control Volume ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Pressure Probe ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Good Agreement

This paper aims at evaluating the characteristics of the wakes periodically shed by the rotating bars of a spoked-wheel type wake generator installed upstream of a high-speed low Reynolds linear low-pressure turbine blade cascade. Due to the very high bar passing frequency obtained with the rotating wake generator (fbar = 2.4−5.6 kHz), a fast-response pressure probe equipped with a single 350 mbar absolute Kulite sensor has been used. In order to measure the inlet flow angle fluctuations, an angular aerodynamic calibration of the probe allowed the use of the virtual three-hole mode; additionally, yielding yaw corrected periodic total pressure, static pressure and Mach number fluctuations. The results are presented for four bar passing frequencies (fbar = 2.4/3.2/4.6/5.6 kHz), each tested at three isentropic inlet Mach numbers M1,is = 0.26/0.34/0.41 and for Reynolds numbers varying between Re1,is = 40,000 and 58,000, thus covering a wide range of engine representative flow coefficients (ϕ = 0.44−1.60). The measured wake characteristics show fairly good agreement with the theory of fixed cylinders in a cross-flow and the evaluated total pressure losses and flow angle variations generated by the rotating bars show fairly good agreement with theoretical results obtained from a control volume analysis.

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.

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