Unsteady boundary-layer transition in low-pressure turbines

2011 ◽  
Vol 681 ◽  
pp. 370-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHN D. COULL ◽  
HOWARD P. HODSON
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Free Stream Velocity ◽  
Stream Velocity ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence

This paper examines the transition process in a boundary layer similar to that present over the suction surfaces of aero-engine low-pressure (LP) turbine blades. This transition process is of significant practical interest since the behaviour of this boundary layer largely determines the overall efficiency of the LP turbine. Modern ‘high-lift’ blade designs typically feature a closed laminar separation bubble on the aft portion of the suction surface. The size of this bubble and hence the inefficiency it generates is controlled by the transition between laminar and turbulent flow in the boundary layer and separated shear layer. The transition process is complicated by the inherent unsteadiness of the multi-stage machine: the wakes shed by one blade row convect through the downstream blade passages, periodically disturbing the boundary layers. As a consequence, the transition to turbulence is multi-modal by nature, being promoted by periodic and turbulent fluctuations in the free stream and the inherent instabilities of the boundary layer. Despite many studies examining the flow behaviour, the detailed physics of the unsteady transition phenomena are not yet fully understood. The boundary-layer transition process has been studied experimentally on a flat plate. The opposing test-section wall was curved to impose a streamwise pressure distribution typical of modern high-lift LP turbines over the flat plate. The presence of an upstream blade row has been simulated by a set of moving bars, which shed wakes across the test section inlet. Further upstream, a grid has been installed to elevate the free-stream turbulence to a level believed to be representative of multi-stage LP turbines. Extensive particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) measurements have been performed on the flat-plate boundary layer to examine the flow behaviour. In the absence of the incoming bar wakes, the grid-generated free-stream turbulence induces relatively weak Klebanoff streaks in the boundary layer which are evident as streamwise streaks of low-velocity fluid. Transition is promoted by the streaks and by the inherent inflectional (Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH)) instability of the separation bubble. In unsteady flow, the incoming bar wakes generate stronger Klebanoff streaks as they pass over the leading edge, which convect downstream at a fraction of the free-stream velocity and spread in the streamwise direction. The region of amplified streaks convects in a similar manner to a classical turbulent spot: the leading and trailing edges travel at around 88% and 50% of the free-stream velocity, respectively. The strongest disturbances travel at around 70% of the free-stream velocity. The wakes induce a second type of disturbance as they pass over the separation bubble, in the form of short-span KH structures. Both the streaks and the KH structures contribute to the early wake-induced transition. The KH structures are similar to those observed in the simulation of separated flow transition with high free-stream turbulence by McAuliffe & Yaras (ASME J. Turbomach., vol. 132, no. 1, 2010, 011004), who observed that these structures originated from localised instabilities of the shear layer induced by Klebanoff streaks. In the current measurements, KH structures are frequently observed directly under the path of the wake. The wake-amplified Klebanoff streaks cannot affect the generation of these structures since they do not arrive at the bubble until later in the wake cycle. Rather, the KH structures arise from an interaction between the flow disturbances in the wake and localised instabilities in the shear layer, which are caused by the weak Klebanoff streaks induced by the grid turbulence. The breakdown of the KH structures to small-scale turbulence occurs a short time after the wake has passed over the bubble, and is largely driven by the arrival of the wake-amplified Klebanoff streaks from the leading edge. During this process, the re-attachment location moves rapidly upstream. The minimum length of the bubble occurs when the strongest wake-amplified Klebanoff streaks arrive from the leading edge; these structures travel at around 70% of the free-stream velocity. The bubble remains shorter than its steady-flow length until the trailing edge of the wake-amplified Klebanoff streaks, travelling at 50% of the free-stream velocity, convect past. After this time, the reattachment location moves aft on the surface as a consequence of a calmed flow region which follows behind the wake-induced turbulence.

Effects of Free-Stream Turbulence on Transition of a Separated Boundary Layer Over the Leading-Edge of a Constant Thickness Airfoil

2015 ◽  
Vol 138 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Samson ◽  
S. Sarkar
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Constant Thickness ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Transition Mechanism ◽  
Bubble Length

This paper describes the change in the transition mechanism of a separated boundary layer formed from the semicircular leading-edge of a constant thickness airfoil as the free-stream turbulence (fst) increases. Experiments are carried out in a low-speed wind tunnel for three levels of fst (Tu = 0.65%, 4.6%, and 7.7%) at two Reynolds numbers (Re) 25,000 and 55,000 (based on the leading-edge diameter). Measurements of velocity and surface pressure along with flow field visualizations are carried out using a planar particle image velocimetry (PIV). The flow undergoes separation in the vicinity of leading-edge and reattaches in the downstream forming a separation bubble. The shear layer is laminar up to 20% of separation length, and then, the perturbations are amplified in the second-half attributing to breakdown and reattachment. The bubble length is highly susceptible to change in Tu. At low fst, the primary mode of instability of the shear layer is Kelvin–Helmholtz (K-H), although the local viscous effect may not be neglected. At high fst, the mechanism of shear layer rollup is bypassed with transient growth of perturbations along with evidence of spot formation. The predominant shedding frequency when normalized with respect to the momentum thickness at separation is almost constant and shows a good agreement with the previous studies. After reattachment, the flow takes longer length to approach a canonical boundary layer.

Experiments on Leading-Edge Induced Separated Shear Layer Under Various Imposed Pressure Gradients

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Anand ◽  
S. Sarkar ◽  
N. Thilakan
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Free Stream Velocity ◽  
Stream Velocity ◽  
Pressure Gradients ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Separated Shear Layer

The behaviour of a separated shear layer past a semi-circular leading edge flat plate, its transition and reattachment downstream to separation are investigated for different imposed pressure gradients. The experiments are carried out in a blowing tunnel for a Reynolds number of 2.44×105 (based on chord and free-stream velocity). The mean flow characteristics and the instantaneous vector field are documented using a two-component LDA and a planar PIV, whereas, surface pressures are measured with Electronically scanned pressure (ESP). The onset of separation occurs near the blend point for all values of β (flap angle deflection), however, a considerable shift is noticed in the point of reattachment. The dimensions of the separation bubble is highly susceptible to β and plays an important role in the activity of the outer shear layer. Instantaneous results from PIV show a significant unsteadiness in the shear layer at about 30% of the bubble length, which is further amplified in the second half of the bubble leading to three-dimensional motions. The reverse flow velocity is higher for a favourable pressure gradient (β = +30°) and is found to be 21% of the free stream velocity. The Reynolds number calculated based on ll (laminar shear layer length), falls in the range of 0.9×104 to 1.4×104. The numerical values concerning the criterion for separation and reattachment agree well with the available literature.

Predicting Transitional Separation Bubbles

2004 ◽  
Vol 127 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-501
Author(s):  
John A. Redford ◽  
Mark W. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Separated Flow ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Test Cases ◽  
Transition Model ◽  
Flow Transition ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Attached Flow

This paper describes the modifications made to a successful attached flow transition model to produce a model capable of predicting both attached and separated flow transition. This transition model is used in combination with the Fluent CFD software, which is used to compute the flow around the blade assuming that it remains entirely laminar. The transition model then determines the start of transition location and the development of the intermittency. These intermittency values weight the laminar and turbulent boundary layer profiles to obtain the resulting transitional boundary layer parameters. The ERCOFTAC T3L test cases are used to validate the predictions. The T3L blade is a flat plate with a semi-circular leading edge, which results in the formation of a separation bubble the length of which is strongly dependent on the transition process. Predictions were performed for five T3L test cases for differing free-stream turbulence levels and Reynolds numbers. For the majority of these test cases the measurements were accurately predicted.

Receptivity to free-stream vorticity of flow past a flat plate with elliptic leading edge

2010 ◽  
Vol 653 ◽  
pp. 245-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.-U. SCHRADER ◽  
L. BRANDT ◽  
C. MAVRIPLIS ◽  
D. S. HENNINGSON
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Sound Waves ◽  
Streamwise Vorticity ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence

Receptivity of the two-dimensional boundary layer on a flat plate with elliptic leading edge is studied by numerical simulation. Vortical perturbations in the oncoming free stream are considered, impinging on two leading edges with different aspect ratio to identify the effect of bluntness. The relevance of the three vorticity components of natural free-stream turbulence is illuminated by considering axial, vertical and spanwise vorticity separately at different angular frequencies. The boundary layer is most receptive to zero-frequency axial vorticity, triggering a streaky pattern of alternating positive and negative streamwise disturbance velocity. This is in line with earlier numerical studies on non-modal growth of elongated structures in the Blasius boundary layer. We find that the effect of leading-edge bluntness is insignificant for axial free-stream vortices alone. On the other hand, vertical free-stream vorticity is also able to excite non-modal instability in particular at zero and low frequencies. This mechanism relies on the generation of streamwise vorticity through stretching and tilting of the vertical vortex columns at the leading edge and is significantly stronger when the leading edge is blunt. It can thus be concluded that the non-modal boundary-layer response to a free-stream turbulence field with three-dimensional vorticity is enhanced in the presence of a blunt leading edge. At high frequencies of the disturbances the boundary layer becomes receptive to spanwise free-stream vorticity, triggering Tollmien–Schlichting (T-S) modes and receptivity increases with leading-edge bluntness. The receptivity coefficients to free-stream vortices are found to be about 15% of those to sound waves reported in the literature. For the boundary layers and free-stream perturbations considered, the amplitude of the T-S waves remains small compared with the low-frequency streak amplitudes.

The generation of Tollmien-Schlichting waves by free-stream turbulence

1996 ◽  
Vol 312 ◽  
pp. 341-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. W. Duck ◽  
A. I. Ruban ◽  
C. N. Zhikharev
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Wave Generation ◽  
Generation Process ◽  
Viscous Boundary Layer ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Tollmien Schlichting

The phenomenon of Tollmien-Schlichting wave generation in a boundary layer by free-stream turbulence is analysed theoretically by means of asymptotic solution of the Navier-Stokes equations at large Reynolds numbers (Re → ∞). For simplicity the basic flow is taken to be the Blasius boundary layer over a flat plate. Free-stream turbulence is taken to be uniform and thus may be represented by a superposition of vorticity waves. Interaction of these waves with the flat plate is investigated first. It is shown that apart from the conventional viscous boundary layer of thickness O(Re−1/2), a ‘vorticity deformation layer’ of thickness O(Re−1/4) forms along the flat-plate surface. Equations to describe the vorticity deformation process are derived, based on multiscale asymptotic techniques, and solved numerically. As a result it is shown that a strong singularity (in the form of a shock-like distribution in the wall vorticity) forms in the flow at some distance downstream of the leading edge, on the surface of the flat plate. This is likely to provoke abrupt transition in the boundary layer. With decreasing amplitude of free-stream turbulence perturbations, the singular point moves far away from the leading edge of the flat plate, and any roughness on the surface may cause Tollmien-Schlichting wave generation in the boundary layer. The theory describing the generation process is constructed on the basis of the ‘triple-deck’ concept of the boundary-layer interaction with the external inviscid flow. As a result, an explicit formula for the amplitude of Tollmien-Schlichting waves is obtained.

Evolution of the Laminar Boundary Layer Over a Flat Plate Under a Free Stream Turbulence Intensity of 1.3%

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. Walsh ◽  
F. Brighenti ◽  
D. M. McEligot
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Laminar Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Bypass Transition ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence

The evolution of the laminar boundary layer over a flat plate under a free stream turbulence intensity of 1.3% is analysed. The effect of free stream turbulence on the onset of transition is one of the important sources leading to bypass transition. Such disturbances are of great interest in engineering for the prediction of transition on turbine blades. The study concentrates on the early part of the boundary layer, starting from the leading edge, and is characterised by the presence of streamwise elongated regions of high and low streamwise velocity. It is demonstrated that the so called “Klebanoff modes” are not entirely representative of the flow structures, due to the time-averaged representations used in most studies. For the conditions of this investigation it is found that the urms and the peak disturbances remain constant in the early stages of the transition development. This region, in which the streaks strength is constant, is problematic for many theories as it is not known where on a surface to initiate a growth theory calculation, and hence the prediction of transition onset is difficult. The observation that a constant urms region exists within the boundary layer under these conditions may be the source of great difficulty in predicting transition onset under turbulence levels around 1%. This region suggests that the streaks are either continuously generated and damped, or do not grow during the early stage of transition, and highlights the importance of continuous influence of the free stream turbulence along the boundary layer edge. This work concludes that the first is more likely, and furthermore the measurements are shown to agree with recent direct numerical simulations.

Linear stability of a gas boundary layer flowing past a thin liquid film over a flat plate

2001 ◽  
Vol 436 ◽  
pp. 321-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
NIKOLAOS A. PELEKASIS ◽  
JOHN A. TSAMOPOULOS
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Liquid Film ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Critical Value ◽  
Stream Velocity ◽  
Absolute Instability ◽  
Interfacial Waves ◽  
The Family

The flow of a gas stream past a flat plate under the influence of rainfall is investigated. As raindrops sediment on the flat plate, they coalesce to form a water film that flows under the action of shear from the surrounding gas stream. In the limit of (a) large Reynolds number, Re, in the gas phase, (b) small rainfall rate, r˙, compared to the free-stream velocity, U∞, and (c) small film thickness compared to the thickness of the boundary layer that surrounds it, a similarity solution is obtained that predicts growth of the liquid film like x3/4; x denotes dimensionless distance from the leading edge. The flow in the gas stream closely resembles the Blasius solution, whereas viscous dissipation dominates inside the film. Local linear stability analysis is performed, assuming nearly parallel base flow in the two streams, and operating in the triple-deck regime. Two distinct families of eigenvalues are identified, one corresponding to the well-known Tollmien–Schlichting (TS) waves that originate in the gas stream, and the other corresponding to an interfacial instability. It is shown that, for the air–water system, the TS waves are convectively unstable whereas the interfacial waves exhibit a pocket of absolute instability, at the streamwise location of the applied disturbance. Moreover, it is found that as the inverse Weber number (We−1) increases, indicating the increasing effect of surface tension compared to inertia, the pocket of absolute instability is translated towards larger distances from the leading edge and the growth rate of unstable waves decreases, until a critical value is reached, We−1 ≈ We−1c, beyond which the family of interfacial waves becomes convectively unstable. Increasing the inverse Froude number (Fr−1), indicating the increasing effect of gravity compared to inertia, results in the pocket of absolute instability shrinking until a critical value is reached, Fr−1 ≈ Fr−1c, beyond which the family of interfacial waves becomes convectively unstable. As We−1 and Fr−1 are further increased, interfacial waves are eventually stabilized, as expected. In this context, increasing the rainfall rate or the free-stream velocity results in extending the region of absolute instability over most of the airfoil surface. Owing to this behaviour it is conjectured that a global mode that interacts with the boundary layer may arise at the interface and, eventually, lead to three-dimensional waves (rivulets), or, under extreme conditions, even premature separation.

Compressor blade leading edges in subsonic compressible flow

2000 ◽  
Vol 214 (1) ◽  
pp. 221-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Tain ◽  
N. A. Cumpsty
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Mach Number ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Inviscid Flow ◽  
Compressor Blade ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Mach Numbers

The flow around the leading edge of a compressor blade is interesting and important because there is such a strong interaction between the viscous boundary layer flow and the inviscid flow around it. As the velocity of the inviscid flow just outside the boundary layer is increased from subsonic to supersonic, the type of viscous-inviscid interaction changes; this has important effects on the boundary layer downstream and thus on the performance of the aerofoil or blade. An investigation has been undertaken of the flow in the immediate vicinity of a simulated compressor blade leading edge for a range of inlet Mach numbers from 0.6 to 0.95. The two-dimensional aerofoil used has a circular leading edge on the front of a flat aerofoil. The incidence, Reynolds number and level of free-stream turbulence have been varied. Measurements include the static pressure around the leading edge and downstream and the boundary layer profile far enough downstream for the leading edge bubble to have reattached. Schlieren pictures were also obtained. The flow around the leading edge becomes supersonic when the inlet Mach number is 0.7 for the zero-incidence case; for an inlet Mach number of 0.95 the peak Mach number was approximately 1.7. The pattern of flow around the leading edge alters as the Mach number is increased, and at the highest Mach number tested here the laminar separation bubble is removed. Positive incidence, raised free-stream turbulence or increased Reynolds number at intermediate inlet Mach numbers tended to promote flow patterns similar to those seen at the highest inlet Mach number. Both increased free-stream turbulence and increased Reynolds number, for the same Mach number and incidence, produced thinner shear layers including a thinner boundary layer well downstream. The measurements were supported by calculations using the MSES code (the single aerofoil version of the MISES code); the calculations were helpful in interpreting the measured results and were demonstrated to be accurate enough to be used for design purposes.

Periodic Transition on an Axial Compressor Stator: Incidence and Clocking Effects: Part II—Transition Onset Predictions

1999 ◽  
Vol 121 (3) ◽  
pp. 408-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Solomon ◽  
G. J. Walker ◽  
J. D. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Simple Procedure ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Bypass Transition ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Flow Interactions ◽  
Transition Modes

Transition onset observations from a 1.5-stage axial compressor outlet stator presented in Part I of this paper are compared with the predictions of conventional transition correlations applied in a quasi-steady manner. The viscous/inviscid interaction code MISES is used to predict the blade surface pressure distributions and boundary layer development. The temporal variation in transition onset is then predicted using ensemble-averaged free-stream turbulence data from the compressor measurements. This simple procedure captures most significant features of the complex transition process on the compressor, and is clearly superior to fixed transition models based on long-term average free-stream turbulence levels. Parallel computations for both natural and bypass transition modes indicate that the natural transition mode tends to dominate on the compressor. This is at variance with turbine airfoil experience, where bypass transition is clearly more important. Comparison of prediction and experiment highlights the significance of leading edge potential flow interactions in promoting periodic wake-induced transition. Viscous/inviscid interactions in the neighborhood of transition can also have an important influence on boundary layer stability and separation phenomena.

Effects of free-stream turbulence on surface pressure fluctuations in a separation bubble

1997 ◽  
Vol 337 ◽  
pp. 1-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. SAATHOFF ◽  
W. H. MELBOURNE
Keyword(s):  
Shear Layer ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Longitudinal Velocity ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Turbulence Scale ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Large Pressure

Wind-tunnel experiments were conducted to investigate the cause of large pressure fluctuations near leading edges of sharp-edged bluff bodies. Measurements obtained with a blunt flat plate showed that very low pressures occur in a narrow region located approximately 0.25XR from the leading edge, where XR defines the distance from the leading edge to the mean reattachment location. This phenomenon occurs in the undisturbed flow as well as turbulent flow, although the magnitude of peak pressure fluctuations increases with both turbulence intensity, σu/u, and turbulence scale, LX.Flow visualization experiments conducted with a high-speed cine-camera reveal the process that causes large pressure fluctuations in separation bubbles. This process is initiated when a perturbation in the approaching flow causes a roll-up of the separated shear layer, producing a strong vortex near the surface. Conditional sampling of pressure data was used to determine the spanwise length of the vortex. A significant increase in the spanwise correlation of pressure fluctuations occurs when the shear layer rolls up. Coherence measurements indicate that the spanwise length of vortices in the separation bubble is not directly related to longitudinal velocity fluctuations in the free-stream.

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