Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Unsteady Flow Interaction in a Low-Pressure Multistage Turbine

2000 ◽  
Vol 122 (4) ◽  
pp. 628-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Ho¨hn ◽  
Klaus Heinig
Keyword(s):  
Unsteady Flow ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Grid Method ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Viscous Boundary Layer ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Flow Interaction ◽  
Multistage Turbine

This paper presents results of unsteady viscous flow calculations and corresponding cold flow experiments of a three-stage low-pressure turbine. The investigation emphasizes the study of unsteady flow interaction. A time-accurate Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes solver is applied for the computations. Turbulence is modeled using the Spalart–Allmaras one-equation turbulence model and the influence of modern transition models on the unsteady flow predictions is investigated. The integration of the governing equations in time is performed with a four-stage Runge–Kutta scheme, which is accelerated by a two-grid method in the viscous boundary layer around the blades. At the inlet and outlet, nonreflecting boundary conditions are used. The quasi-three-dimensional calculations are conducted on a stream surface around midspan, allowing a varying stream tube thickness. In order to study the unsteady flow interaction, a three-stage low-pressure turbine rig of a modern commercial jet engine is built up. In addition to the design point, the Reynolds number, the wheel speed, and the pressure ratio are also varied in the tests. The numerical method is able to capture important unsteady effects found in the experiments, i.e., unsteady transition as well as the blade row interaction. In particular, the flow field with respect to time-averaged and unsteady quantities such as surface pressure, entropy, and skin friction is compared with the experiments conducted in the cold air flow test rig. [S0889-504X(00)02004-3]

Numerical and experimental investigation of unsteady flow interaction in a low-pressure multistage turbine

2003 ◽  
Vol 217 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
W Höhn
Keyword(s):  
Unsteady Flow ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Grid Method ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Viscous Boundary Layer ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Flow Interaction ◽  
Multistage Turbine ◽  
Viscous Boundary

The paper presents results of unsteady viscous flow calculations and corresponding cold flow experiments on a three-stage low-pressure turbine. The investigation emphasizes the study of unsteady flow interaction. A time-accurate, Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes solver is applied for the computations. Turbulence is modelled using the Spalart-Allmaras one-equation turbulence model. The influence of modern transition models on the unsteady flow predictions is investigated. Integration of the governing equations in time is performed with a four-stage Runge-Kutta scheme, which is accelerated by a two-grid method in the viscous boundary layer around the blades. At the inlet and outlet, non-reflecting boundary conditions are used. The quasi-three-dimensional calculations are conducted on a stream surface around mid-span, allowing a varying stream tube thickness. A three-stage, low-pressure turbine rig of a modern commercial jet engine is used for a study of the unsteady flow interaction. The numerical method is able to capture important unsteady effects found in the experiments, i.e. unsteady transition as well as the bladerow interaction. In particular, the flowfield with respect to time-averaged and unsteady quantities such as surface pressure, vorticity and turbulence intensity is compared with the experiments conducted in the cold airflow test rig.

Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Unsteady Flow Interaction in a Low Pressure Multistage Turbine

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Höhn ◽  
Klaus Heinig
Keyword(s):  
Unsteady Flow ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Grid Method ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Viscous Boundary Layer ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Flow Interaction ◽  
Multistage Turbine ◽  
Viscous Boundary

The paper presents results of unsteady viscous flow calculations and corresponding cold flow experiments of a three stage low pressure turbine. The investigation emphasize the study of unsteady flow interaction. A time accurate Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes solver is applied for the computations. Turbulence is modeled using the Spalart-Allmaras one equation turbulence model and the influence of modern transition models on the unsteady flow predictions is investigated. The integration of the governing equations in time is performed with a four stage Runge-Kutta scheme, which is accelerated by a two grid method in the viscous boundary layer around the blades. At the inlet and outlet non-reflecting boundary conditions are used. The quasi 3D calculations are conducted on a stream surface around midspan allowing a varying stream tube thickness. In order to study the unsteady flow interaction a three stage low pressure turbine rig of a modern commercial jet engine is built up. Besides the design point, the Reynolds number, the wheel speed and the pressure ratio are varied in the tests. The numerical method is able to capture important unsteady effects found in the experiments, i.e. unsteady transition as well as the blade row interaction. In particular, the flow field with respect to time averaged and unsteady quantities such as surface pressure, entropy and skin friction is compared with the experiments conducted in the cold air flow test rig.

Unsteady Aerodynamical Blade Row Interaction in a New Multistage Research Turbine: Part 2 — Numerical Investigation

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Höhn ◽  
Ralf Gombert ◽  
Astrid Kraus
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Grid Method ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Viscous Boundary Layer ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Blade Row ◽  
Multistage Turbine ◽  
Blade Row Interaction

This paper is the second part of a two part paper, which describes in part one the experimental setup and results of a new multistage turbine. Part two presents results of unsteady viscous flow calculations based on cold flow experiments of that three stage low pressure turbine. The present paper emphasizes the investigation of stator-stator interaction of a low pressure turbine section of a commercial jet engine. Different positions for the second and third stator are studied numerically and experimentally with respect to the blade row interaction, unsteady blade loading and unsteady boundary layer effects. A time accurate Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes solver is applied for the computations. Turbulence is modeled using the Spalart-Allmaras one equation model turbulence model and the influence of modern transition models on the unsteady flow predictions is investigated. The integration of the governing equations in time is performed by a four stage Runge-Kutta scheme, which is accelerated by a two grid method in the viscous boundary layer around the blades and alternatively by a dual time stepping method. At the inlet and outlet reflecting or non-reflecting boundary conditions are used. The quasi 3D calculations are conducted on a stream surface around midspan allowing a varying stream tube thickness. In particular, the flow field with respect to time averaged and unsteady quantities such as surface pressure, vorticity, unsteady velocity field and skin friction are compared with the experiments conducted in the cold air flow test rig.

Experimental and Computational Investigation of the Time-Averaged and Time-Resolved Pressure Loading on a Vaneless Counter-Rotating Turbine

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. W. Haldeman ◽  
M. G. Dunn ◽  
R. S. Abhari ◽  
P. D. Johnson ◽  
X. A. Montesdeoca
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
High Pressure ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Experimental Program ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Design Point ◽  
High Pressure Ratio

The experimental program reported here was executed using full-scale vaneless counter-rotating engine hardware operating at nondimensionally scaled aerodynamic design point conditions. Measurements were obtained for three different pressure ratio values: design point, low pressure ratio, and high pressure ratio. For brevity, only the design point data will be presented in this paper. Time-averaged and time-resolved surface pressures on the high pressure turbine (HPT) vane, HPT blade, and low pressure turbine (LPT) blades are presented. Additionally, three-dimensional (3D) Navier-Stokes computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predictions are presented for comparison with experimental data. The results presented show that the predictions qualitatively capture the flowfield physics, but require some additional calibration to fully match experimental data quantitatively.

Analytical Investigation of a Low Pressure Turbine With and Without Flowpath Endwall Gaps, Seals and Clearance Features

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Cherry ◽  
Aspi Wadia ◽  
Rob Beacock ◽  
Mani Subramanian ◽  
Paul Vitt
Keyword(s):  
Performance Prediction ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Analytical Investigation ◽  
Mesh Topology ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Blade Row

Numerical simulations for low pressure turbine (LPT) stages of a high bypass turbofan engine are presented and discussed in this study. A smooth flowpath configuration and a flowpath configuration with endwall features consistent with the actual engine geometry were considered for the numerical analysis to demonstrate the significance of including hub and tip flowpath details for proper performance prediction and design improvement studies. Fully three-dimensional, multistage, mutiblock, viscous flow analysis methodology was applied for first three stages of a moderately loaded LPT to predict aerodynamic performance of individual components, stage and for the overall turbine. Numerical results were obtained first for the smooth endwall configuration that ignores flowpath cavities, gaps and leaks in the numerical model. Following the smooth endwall calculations, a second set of calculations was performed with hub and tip flowpath details to closely represent actual engine geometry and experimental rig hardware. The approach of using smooth endwall contours for multi stage, multi blade row computational analysis is quite common for modeling simplicity. However, as the flow features are expected to be more complex in high pressure ratio, highly loaded turbine stages of next generation aircraft engines, it is imperative that flowpath and endwall geometry details such as gaps, seals, leakage and clearance effects are included in the numerical simulation for improved component design and stage performance prediction. This study addresses this particular issue by including endwall details and quantifies performance differences between the two modeling approaches. An O-H mesh topology was utilized for the blades, wheel space cavities, labyrinth seals and clearances for better flowfield resolution and numerical accuracy. Component performance, secondary flow details of endwall cavities, seal leakage and loss features of each blade row, for individual stage and for the overall turbine stage is presented and discussed for the two sets of calculations. Computed results are compared with experimental data obtained with high speed rig testing for verification and for understanding of the flow physics.

The Calculation of Three-Dimensional Viscous Flow Through Multistage Turbomachines

1992 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Denton
Keyword(s):  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Viscous Effects ◽  
Navier Stokes Equations ◽  
High Pressure Ratio ◽  
Machine Performance ◽  
Multistage Turbine ◽  
Flow Through

The extension of a well-established three-dimensional flow calculation method to calculate the flow through multiple turbomachinery blade rows is described in this paper. To avoid calculating the unsteady flow, which is inherent in any machine containing both rotating and stationary blade rows, a mixing process is modeled at a calculating station between adjacent blade rows. The effects of this mixing on the flow within the blade rows may be minimized by using extrapolated boundary conditions at the mixing plane. Inviscid calculations are not realistic for multistage machines and so the method includes a range of options for the inclusion of viscous effects. At the simplest level such effects may be included by prescribing the spanwise variation of polytropic efficiency for each blade row. At the most sophisticated level viscous effects and machine performance can be predicted by using a thin shear layer approximation to the Navier–Stokes equations and an eddy viscosity turbulence model. For high-pressure-ratio compressors there is a strong tendency for the calculation to surge during the transient part of the flow. This is overcome by the use of a new technique, which enables the calculation to be run to a prescribed mass flow. Use of the method is illustrated by applying it to a multistage turbine of simple geometry, a two-stage low-speed experimental turbine, and two multistage axial compressors.

Combined numerical and experimental investigations of heat transfer of a highly loaded low-pressure turbine blade under periodic inlet flow condition

2018 ◽  
Vol 232 (7) ◽  
pp. 769-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Nikparto ◽  
Meinhard T Schobeiri
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Unsteady Flow ◽  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Flow Condition ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Predictive Capability ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Calculation Results

This paper experimentally and numerically investigates heat transfer characteristics of a low-pressure turbine blade under steady/unsteady flow conditions. Generally, the low-pressure turbine blades are not exposed to excessive temperatures that require detailed heat transfer predictions. In aircraft engines, they operate at low Re-numbers causing the inception of large separation bubbles on their suction surface. As documented in previous papers, the results of detailed aerodynamic simulations have shown significant discrepancies with experiments. It was the objective of the current investigation to determine the discrepancies between the experimental and numerical heat transfer results. It is shown that small errors in aero-calculation results in large deviations of heat transfer results. The characteristics of the blades mentioned above, make low-pressure turbine blades suitable candidates for evaluating the predictive capability of any numerical method. Documenting the scope of these discrepancies defines the framework of the current paper. The periodic flow inside the gas turbine engine was simulated using the cascade facility at the Turbomachinery Performance and Flow Research Laboratory (TPFL) of Texas A&M University. In this study, the wakes that originate from stator blades were simulated by moving rods. The instrumented blade was covered with a liquid crystal sheet and it was used to measure heat transfer coefficient. Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations were used for numerical investigation purposes. Measurements and simulations were conducted at three different Reynolds numbers (110,000, 150,000, and 250,000). Furthermore, for unsteady flow condition, reduced frequencies of the incoming wakes were varied. The current paper includes a comprehensive heat transfer assessment of the predictive capability of Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes based tools. The effect of the separation bubbles on heat transfer is thoroughly discussed in this paper. Comparisons of the experimental and numerical results detail the differences and identify the sources of error that leads to in accurate calculations in terms of predicting heat transfer calculation results.

Automatic Three-Dimensional Optimisation of a Modern Tandem Compressor Vane

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Schlaps ◽  
S. Shahpar ◽  
V. Gümmer
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Trust Region ◽  
Automatic Generation ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
High Fidelity ◽  
Stall Margin ◽  
Design Choice ◽  
Multipoint Approximation

In order to increase the performance of a modern gas turbine, compressors are required to provide higher pressure ratio and avoid incurring higher losses. The tandem aerofoil has the potential to achieve a higher blade loading in combination with lower losses compared to single vanes. The main reason for this is due to the fact that a new boundary layer is generated on the second blade surface and the turning can be achieved with smaller separation occurring. The lift split between the two vanes with respect to the overall turning is an important design choice. In this paper an automated three-dimensional optimisation of a highly loaded compressor stator is presented. For optimisation a novel methodology based on the Multipoint Approximation Method (MAM) is used. MAM makes use of an automatic design of experiments, response surface modelling and a trust region to represent the design space. The CFD solutions are obtained with the high-fidelity 3D Navier-Stokes solver HYDRA. In order to increase the stage performance the 3D shape of the tandem vane is modified changing both the front and rear aerofoils. Moreover the relative location of the two aerofoils is controlled modifying the axial and tangential relative positions. It is shown that the novel optimisation methodology is able to cope with a large number of design parameters and produce designs which performs better than its single vane counterpart in terms of efficiency and numerical stall margin. One of the key challenges in producing an automatic optimisation process has been the automatic generation of high-fidelity computational meshes. The multi block-structured, high-fidelity meshing tool PADRAM is enhanced to cope with the tandem blade topologies. The wakes of each aerofoil is properly resolved and the interaction and the mixing of the front aerofoil wake and the second tandem vane are adequately resolved.

Design of an Intermediate Turbine Duct Downstream of a High Pressure Turbine

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaoshan Hou ◽  
Hu Wu
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Aerodynamic Load ◽  
Duct Flow ◽  
Original Design ◽  
High Pressure Turbine ◽  
Intermediate Turbine Duct ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Inlet Conditions

The flow leaving the high pressure turbine should be guided to the low pressure turbine by an annular diffuser, which is called as the intermediate turbine duct. Flow separation, which would result in secondary flow and cause great flow loss, is easily induced by the negative pressure gradient inside the duct. And such non-uniform flow field would also affect the inlet conditions of the low pressure turbine, resulting in efficiency reduction of low pressure turbine. Highly efficient intermediate turbine duct cannot be designed without considering the effects of the rotating row of the high pressure turbine. A typical turbine model is simulated by commercial computational fluid dynamics method. This model is used to validate the accuracy and reliability of the selected numerical method by comparing the numerical results with the experimental results. An intermediate turbine duct with eight struts has been designed initially downstream of an existing high pressure turbine. On the basis of the original design, the main purpose of this paper is to reduce the net aerodynamic load on the strut surface and thus minimize the overall duct loss. Full three-dimensional inverse method is applied to the redesign of the struts. It is revealed that the duct with new struts after inverse design has an improved performance as compared with the original one.

Highly Loaded Low-Pressure Turbine: Design, Numerical, and Experimental Analysis

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. T. Schmitz ◽  
S. C. Morris ◽  
R. Ma ◽  
T. C. Corke ◽  
J. P. Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Numerical Solutions ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Highly Loaded

The performance and detailed flow physics of a highly loaded, transonic, low-pressure turbine stage has been investigated numerically and experimentally. The mean rotor Zweifel coefficient was 1.35, with dh/U2 = 2.8, and a total pressure ratio of 1.75. The aerodynamic design was based on recent developments in boundary layer transition modeling. Steady and unsteady numerical solutions were used to design the blade geometry as well as to predict the design and off-design performance. Measurements were acquired in a recently developed, high-speed, rotating turbine facility. The nozzle-vane only and full stage characteristics were measured with varied mass flow, Reynolds number, and free-stream turbulence. The efficiency calculated from torque at the design speed and pressure ratio of the turbine was found to be 90.6%. This compared favorably to the mean line target value of 90.5%. This paper will describe the measurements and numerical solutions in detail for both design and off-design conditions.

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