Transition on the T106 LP Turbine Blade in the Presence of Moving Upstream Wakes and Downstream Potential Fields

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maciej M. Opoka ◽  
Howard P. Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Phase Angle ◽  
Potential Field ◽  
Relative Phase ◽  
Laser Doppler Anemometry ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Surface Boundary ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Lp Turbine

Boundary layer measurements were performed on a cascade of the T106 high lift low-pressure (LP) turbine blades that was subjected to upstream wakes and a moving downstream potential field. Tests were carried out at a low level of inlet freestream turbulence (0.5%) and at a higher (4.0%). It is found that perturbations in the freestream due to both disturbances are superposed on each other. This affects the magnitude of the velocity perturbations at the edge of the boundary layer under the wakes as well as the fluctuations in the edge velocity between the wakes. Furthermore, the fluctuations in the adverse pressure gradient on the suction surface depend on the relative phase of the upstream and downstream disturbances, providing an additional stimulus for clocking studies. Time-mean momentum thickness values calculated from laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) traverses performed near the suction surface trailing edge are used to identify the optimum relative phase angle of the combined interaction. Unsteady suction surface pressures, quasiwall shear stress and LDA data illustrate the resulting multimode process of transition, which is responsible for the observed clocking effects. The optimum relative phase angle of the upstream wake and the downstream potential field can produce 0.25% of efficiency improvement through the reduction of the suction surface boundary layer loss. This reduction is mainly related to the calmed region and the laminar flow benefits that can be more effectively utilized than when only the upstream wakes are present. During the remaining parts of the cycle, the features that are usually associated with the wake and the potential field effects are still present.

Transition on the T106 LP Turbine Blade in the Presence of Moving Upstream Wakes and Downstream Potential Fields

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maciej M. Opoka ◽  
Howard P. Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Phase Angle ◽  
Potential Field ◽  
Relative Phase ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Adverse Pressure Gradient ◽  
Surface Boundary ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Lp Turbine

Boundary layer measurements were performed on a cascade of the T106 high lift low-pressure (LP) turbine blades that was subjected to upstream wakes and a moving downstream potential field. Tests were carried out at a low level of inlet freestream turbulence (0.5%) and at a higher (4.0%). It is found that perturbations in the freestream due to both disturbances are superposed on each other. This affects the magnitude of the velocity perturbations at the edge of the boundary layer under the wakes as well as the fluctuations in the edge velocity between the wakes. Furthermore, the fluctuations in the adverse pressure gradient on the suction surface depend on the relative phase of the upstream and downstream disturbances, providing an additional stimulus for clocking studies. Time-mean momentum thickness values calculated from LDA traverses performed near the suction surface trailing edge are used to identify the optimum relative phase angle of the combined interaction. Unsteady suction surface pressures, quasi wall shear stress and LDA data illustrate the resulting multimode process of transition, which is responsible for the observed clocking effects. The optimum relative phase angle of the upstream wake and the downstream potential field can produce 0.25% of efficiency improvement, through the reduction of the suction surface boundary layer loss. This reduction is mainly related to the calmed region and the laminar flow benefits that can be more effectively utilised than when only the upstream wakes are present. During the remaining parts of the cycle the features that are usually associated with the wake and the potential field effects are still present.

Loss reduction on ultra high lift low-pressure turbine blades using selective roughness and wake unsteadiness

2007 ◽  
Vol 111 (1118) ◽  
pp. 257-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Howell ◽  
K. M. Roman
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Steady Flow ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Surface Boundary ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Profile Losses ◽  
Lp Turbine

This paper describes how it is possible to reduce the profile losses on ultra high lift low pressure (LP) turbine blade profiles with the application of selected surface roughness and wake unsteadiness. Over the past several years, an understanding of wake interactions with the suction surface boundary layer on LP turbines has allowed the design of blades with ever increasing levels of lift. Under steady flow conditions, ultra high lift profiles would have large (and possibly open) separation bubbles present on the suction side which result from the very high diffusion levels. The separation bubble losses produced by it are reduced when unsteady wake flows are present. However, LP turbine blades have now reached a level of loading and diffusion where profile losses can no longer be controlled by wake unsteadiness alone. The ultra high lift profiles investigated here were created by attaching a flap to the trailing edge of another blade in a linear cascade — the so called flap-test technique. The experimental set-up used in this investigation allows for the simulation of upstream wakes by using a moving bar system. Hotwire and hotfilm measurements were used to obtain information about the boundary-layer state on the suction surface of the blade as it evolved in time. Measurements were taken at a Reynolds numbers ranging between 100,000 and 210,000. Two types of ultra high lift profile were investigated; ultra high lift and extended ultra high lift, where the latter has 25% greater back surface diffusion as well as a 12% increase in lift compared to the former. Results revealed that distributed roughness reduced the size of the separation bubble with steady flow. When wakes were present, the distributed roughness amplified disturbances in the boundary layer allowing for more rapid wake induced transition to take place, which tended to eliminate the separation bubble under the wake. The extended ultra high lift profile generated only slightly higher losses than the original ultra high lift profile, but more importantly it generated 12% greater lift.

Boundary Layer Transition on the High Lift T106A LP Turbine Blade With an Oscillating Downstream Pressure Field

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maciej M. Opoka ◽  
Richard L. Thomas ◽  
Howard P. Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Surface Pressure ◽  
Pressure Field ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Surface Boundary ◽  
Surface Shear Stress ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Surface Shear ◽  
Lp Turbine

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of the interaction between the suction surface boundary layer of a cascade of LP turbine blades and a fluctuating downstream potential field. A linear cascade equipped with a set of T106 LP turbine blades was subjected to a periodic variation of the downstream pressure field by means of a moving bar system at low-speed conditions. Measurements were taken in the suction surface boundary layer using 2D Laser Doppler Anemometry, flush mounted unsteady pressure transducers and surface shear stress sensors. The Reynolds number, based on the chord and exit conditions, was 1.6×105. The measurements revealed that the magnitudes of the suction surface pressure variations induced by the oscillating downstream pressure field, just downstream of the suction peak, were approximately equal to those measured in earlier studies involving upstream wakes. These pressure field oscillations induced a periodic variation of the transition onset location in the boundary layer. Two turbulence levels were investigated. At a low level of inlet freestream turbulence of 0.5%, a separation bubble formed on the rear part of the suction surface. Unsteady measurements of the surface pressure revealed the presence of high frequency oscillations occurring near the start of the pressure recovery region. The amplitude of these fluctuations was of the order of 7–8% of exit dynamic pressure, and inspection of the velocity field revealed the presence of Kelvin-Helmholtz type shear layer vortices in the separated free shear layer. The frequency of these shear layer vortices was approximately one order of magnitude greater than the frequency of the downstream passing bars. At a higher inlet freestream turbulence level of 4.0%, which is more representative of real engine environments, separation was prevented by an earlier onset of transition. Oscillations were still observed in suction surface shear stress measurements at a frequency matching the period of the downstream bar, indicating a continued influence on the boundary layer from the oscillating pressure field. However, the shear layer vortices seen in the lower turbulence intensity case were not so clearly observed and the maximum amplitude of suction surface pressure fluctuations was reduced.

Boundary Layer Development in the BR710 and BR715 LP Turbines—The Implementation of High-Lift and Ultra-High-Lift Concepts

2002 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 385-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Howell ◽  
H. P. Hodson ◽  
V. Schulte ◽  
R. D. Stieger ◽  
Heinz-Peter Schiffer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Surface Boundary ◽  
Unsteady Boundary Layer ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Surface Boundary Layer ◽  
Cold Flow ◽  
Layer Behavior ◽  
Lp Turbine

This paper describes a detailed study into the unsteady boundary layer behavior in two high-lift and one ultra-high-lift Rolls-Royce Deutschland LP turbines. The objectives of the paper are to show that high-lift and ultra-high-lift concepts have been successfully incorporated into the design of these new LP turbine profiles. Measurements from surface mounted hot film sensors were made in full size, cold flow test rigs at the altitude test facility at Stuttgart University. The LP turbine blade profiles are thought to be state of the art in terms of their lift and design philosophy. The two high-lift profiles represent slightly different styles of velocity distribution. The first high-lift profile comes from a two-stage LP turbine (the BR710 cold-flow, high-lift demonstrator rig). The second high-lift profile tested is from a three-stage machine (the BR715 LPT rig). The ultra-high-lift profile measurements come from a redesign of the BR715 LP turbine: this is designated the BR715UHL LP turbine. This ultra-high-lift profile represents a 12 percent reduction in blade numbers compared to the original BR715 turbine. The results from NGV2 on all of the turbines show “classical” unsteady boundary layer behavior. The measurements from NGV3 (of both the BR715 and BR715UHL turbines) are more complicated, but can still be broken down into classical regions of wake-induced transition, natural transition and calming. The wakes from both upstream rotors and NGVs interact in a complicated manner, affecting the suction surface boundary layer of NGV3. This has important implications for the prediction of the flows on blade rows in multistage environments.

Velocity Distributions for Low Pressure Turbines

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Coull ◽  
R. L. Thomas ◽  
H. P. Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Laser Doppler Anemometry ◽  
Peak Velocity ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Number Range ◽  
Reduced Frequency ◽  
Unsteady Interaction ◽  
Lp Turbine

A parametric set of velocity distributions has been investigated using a flat-plate experiment. Three different diffusion factors and peak velocity locations were tested. These were designed to mimic the suction surfaces of low pressure (LP) turbine blades. Unsteady wakes, inherent in real turbomachinery flows, were generated using a moving bar mechanism. A turbulence grid generated a freestream turbulence level that is believed to be typical of LP turbines. Measurements were taken across a Reynolds number range 50,000–220,000 at three reduced frequencies (0.314, 0.628, and 0.942). Boundary layer traverses were performed at the nominal trailing edge using a laser Doppler anemometry system and hot films were used to examine the boundary layer behavior along the surface. For every velocity distribution tested, the boundary layer separated in the diffusing flow downstream of the peak velocity. The loss production is dominated by the mixing in the reattachment process, mixing in the turbulent boundary layer downstream of reattachment, and the effects of the unsteady interaction between the wakes and the boundary layer. A sensitive balance governs the optimal location of peak velocity on the surface. Moving the velocity peak forward on the blade was found to be increasingly beneficial when bubble-generated losses are high, i.e. at low Reynolds number, at low reduced frequency, and at high diffusion factors.

Prediction of the Becalmed Region for LP Turbine Profile Design

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Volker Schulte ◽  
Howard P. Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Turbulent Flows ◽  
Laminar Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Boundary Layer Separation ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Lp Turbine ◽  
Profile Loss

Recent attention has focused on the so called ‘becalmed region’ that is observed inside the boundary layers of turbomachinery blading and is associated with the process of wake-induced transition. Significant reductions of profile loss have been shown for high lift LP turbine blades at low Reynolds-numbers due the effects of the becalmed region on the diffusing flow at the rear of the suction surface. In this paper the nature and the significance of the becalmed region are examined using experimental observations and computational studies. It is shown that the becalmed region may be modelled using the unsteady laminar boundary layer equations. Therefore, it is predictable independently of the transition or turbulence models employed. The effect of the becalmed region on the transition process is modelled using a spot-based intermittency transition model. An unsteady differential boundary layer code was used to numerically simulate a deterministic experiment involving an isolated turbulent spot. The predictability of the becalmed region means that the rate of entropy production can be calculated in that region. It is found to be of the order of that in a laminar boundary layer. It is for this reason and because the becalmed region may be encroached upon by pursuing turbulent flows that for attached boundary layers, wake-induced transition cannot significantly reduce the profile loss. However, the becalmed region is less prone to separation than a conventional laminar boundary layer. Therefore, the becalmed region may be exploited in order to prevent boundary layer separation and the increase in loss that this entails. It is shown that it should now be possible to design efficient high lift LP turbine blades.

Boundary Layer Development in the BR710 and BR715 LP Turbines: The Implementation of High Lift and Ultra High Lift Concepts

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Howell ◽  
H. P. Hodson ◽  
V. Schulte ◽  
Heinz-Peter Schiffer ◽  
F. Haselbach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Surface Boundary ◽  
Unsteady Boundary Layer ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Surface Boundary Layer ◽  
Cold Flow ◽  
Boundary Layer Development ◽  
Lp Turbine

This paper describes a detailed study into the unsteady boundary layer behaviour in two high lift and one ultra high lift Rolls-Royce Deutschland LP turbines. The objectives of the paper are to show that high lift and ultra high-lift concepts have been successfully incorporated into the design of these new LP turbine profiles. Measurements from surface mounted hot film sensors were made in full size, cold flow test rigs at the altitude test facility at Stuttgart University. The LP turbine blade profiles are thought to be state of the art in terms of their lift and design philosophy. The two high lift profiles represent slightly different styles of velocity distribution. The first high-lift profile comes from a two stage LP turbine (the BR710 cold-flow, high-lift demonstrator rig). The second high-lift profile tested is from a three-stage machine (the BR715 LPT rig). The ultra-high lift profile measurements come from a redesign of the BR715 LP turbine: this is designated the BR715UHL LP turbine. This ultra high-lift profile represents a 12% reduction in blade numbers compared to the original BR715 turbine. The results from NGV2 on all of the turbines show “classical” unsteady boundary layer behaviour. The measurements from NGV3 (of both the BR715 and BR715UHL turbines) are more complicated, but can still be broken down into classical regions of wake-induced transition, natural transition and calming. The wakes from both upstream rotors and NGVs interact in a complicated manner, affecting the suction surface boundary layer of NGV3. This has important implications for the prediction of the flows on blade rows in multistage environments.

Prediction of the Becalmed Region for LP Turbine Profile Design

1998 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 839-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Schulte ◽  
H. P. Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Turbulent Flows ◽  
Laminar Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Boundary Layer Separation ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Lp Turbine ◽  
Profile Loss

Recent attention has focused on the so-called “becalmed region” that is observed inside the boundary layers of turbomachinery blading and is associated with the process of wake-induced transition. Significant reductions of profile loss have been shown for high lift LP turbine blades at low Reynolds numbers due the effects of the becalmed region on the diffusing flow at the rear of the suction surface. In this paper the nature and the significance of the becalmed region are examined using experimental observations and computational studies. It is shown that the becalmed region may be modeled using the unsteady laminar boundary layer equations. Therefore, it is predictable independent of the transition or turbulence models employed. The effect of the becalmed region on the transition process is modeled using a spot-based intermittency transition model. An unsteady differential boundary layer code was used to simulate a deterministic experiment involving an isolated turbulent spot numerically. The predictability of the becalmed region means that the rate of entropy production can be calculated in that region. It is found to be of the order of that in a laminar boundary layer. It is for this reason and because the becalmed region may be encroached upon by pursuing turbulent flows that for attached boundary layers, wake-induced transition cannot significantly reduce the profile loss. However, the becalmed region is less prone to separation than a conventional laminar boundary layer. Therefore, the becalmed region may be exploited in order to prevent boundary layer separation and the increase in loss that this entails. It is shown that it should now be possible to design efficient high lift LP turbine blades.

Velocity Distributions for Low Pressure Turbines

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Coull ◽  
Richard L. Thomas ◽  
Howard P. Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Laser Doppler Anemometry ◽  
Peak Velocity ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Number Range ◽  
Reduced Frequency ◽  
Unsteady Interaction ◽  
Lp Turbine

A parametric set of velocity distributions has been investigated using a flat plate experiment. Three different diffusion factors and peak velocity locations were tested. These were designed to mimic the suction surfaces of Low Pressure (LP) turbine blades. Unsteady wakes, inherent in real turbomachinery flows, were generated using a moving bar mechanism. A turbulence grid generated a freestream turbulence level that is believed to be typical of LP turbines. Measurements were taken across a Reynolds number range of 50,000–220,000 at three reduced frequencies (0.314, 0.628, 0.942). Boundary layer traverses were performed at the nominal trailing edge using a Laser Doppler Anemometry system and hot-films were used to examine the boundary layer behaviour along the surface. For every velocity distribution tested, the boundary layer separated in the diffusing flow downstream of the peak velocity. The loss production is dominated by the mixing in the reattachment process, mixing in the turbulent boundary layer downstream of reattachment and the effects of the unsteady interaction between the wakes and the boundary layer. A sensitive balance governs the optimal location of peak velocity on the surface. Moving the velocity peak forwards on the blade was found to be increasingly beneficial when bubble-generated losses are high, i.e. at low Reynolds number, at low reduced frequency and at high levels of diffusion.

scholarly journals An Investigation of Boundary Layer Development in a Multistage LP Turbine

1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. P. Hodson ◽  
I. Huntsman ◽  
A. B. Steele
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Surface Boundary ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Boundary Layer Development ◽  
Lp Turbine ◽  
Hot Film ◽  
Surface Length

This paper describes an investigation of the behaviour of suction surface boundary layers in a modern multistage Low Pressure turbine. An array of eighteen surface-mounted hot-film anemometers was mounted on a stator blade of the third stage of a 4-stage machine. Data were obtained at Reynolds numbers between 0.9 × 105 and 1.8 × 105. At the majority of the test conditions, wakes from upstream rotors periodically initiated transition at about 40% surface length. In between these events, laminar separation occurred at about 75% surface length. Because the wake-affected part of the flow appeared to be only intermittently turbulent, laminar separation also occurred at about 75% surface length while this flow was instantaneously laminar. At all but the lowest Reynolds numbers, the time-mean boundary layer appeared to have re-attached by the trailing edge even though it was not fully turbulent. It is inferred that the effect of the wakes on the performance of the bladerow is limited and that steady flow design methods should provide an adequate assessment of LP turbine performance during design.

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