Transition in a Separation Bubble

1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 752-759 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Malkiel ◽  
R. E. Mayle
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Turbulent Spot ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Lateral Direction ◽  
Intensity Measurements ◽  
Separated Shear Layer ◽  
Laminar Shear

In the interest of being able to predict separating–reattaching flows, it is necessary to have an accurate model of transition in separation bubbles. An experimental investigation of the process of turbulence development in a separation bubble shows that transition occurs within the separated shear layer. A comparison of simultaneous velocity traces from comparison of simultaneous velocity traces from probes separated in the lateral direction suggests that Kelvin–Helmholtz waves, which originate in the laminar shear layer, do not break down to turbulence simultaneously across their span when they proceed to agglomerate. The streamwise development of intermittency in this region can be characterized by turbulent spot theory with a high dimensionless spot production rate. Moreover, the progression of intermittency along the centerline of the shear layer is similar to that in attached boundary layer transition. The transverse development of intermittency is also remarkably similar to that in attached boundary layers. The parameters obtained from these measurements agree with correlations previously deduced from turbulence intensity measurements.

Transition in a Separation Bubble

1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Malkiel ◽  
R. E. Mayle
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Turbulent Spot ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Lateral Direction ◽  
Intensity Measurements ◽  
Separated Shear Layer ◽  
Laminar Shear

In the interest of being able to predict separating-reattaching flows, it is necessary to have an accurate model of transition in separation bubbles. An experimental investigation of the process of turbulence development in a separation bubble shows that transition occurs within the separated shear layer. A comparison of simultaneous velocity traces from probes separated in the lateral direction suggests that Kelvin-Helmholtz waves, which originate in the laminar shear layer, do not break down to turbulence simultaneously spanwise when they proceed to agglomerate. The streamwise development of intermittency in this region, can be characterized by turbulent spot theory with a high dimensionless spot production rate. Moreover, the progression of intermittency along the centerline of the shear layer is similar to that in attached boundary layer transition. The transverse development of intermittency is also remarkably similar to that in attached boundary layers. The parameters obtained from these measurements agree with correlations which were previously deduced from turbulence intensity measurements.

The Transition Mechanism of Highly-Loaded LP Turbine Blades

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Stieger ◽  
H. P. Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Transition Mechanism ◽  
Separated Shear Layer ◽  
Lp Turbine ◽  
Laminar Shear ◽  
Highly Loaded

A detailed experimental investigation was conducted into the interaction of a convected wake and a separation bubble on the rear suction surface of a highly loaded low-pressure (LP) turbine blade. Boundary layer measurements, made with 2D LDA, revealed a new transition mechanism resulting from this interaction. Prior to the arrival of the wake, the boundary layer profiles in the separation region are inflexional. The perturbation of the separated shear layer caused by the convecting wake causes an inviscid Kelvin-Helmholtz rollup of the shear layer. This results in the breakdown of the laminar shear layer and a rapid wake-induced transition in the separated shear layer.

scholarly journals A study on boundary-layer transition induced by free-stream turbulence

2010 ◽  
Vol 660 ◽  
pp. 114-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. MANDAL ◽  
L. VENKATAKRISHNAN ◽  
J. DEY
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Velocity Profiles ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Bypass Transition ◽  
Turbulent Spot ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence

Boundary-layer transition at different free-stream turbulence levels has been investigated using the particle-image velocimetry technique. The measurements show organized positive and negative fluctuations of the streamwise fluctuating velocity component, which resemble the forward and backward jet-like structures reported in the direct numerical simulation of bypass transition. These fluctuations are associated with unsteady streaky structures. Large inclined high shear-layer regions are also observed and the organized negative fluctuations are found to appear consistently with these inclined shear layers, along with highly inflectional instantaneous streamwise velocity profiles. These inflectional velocity profiles are similar to those in the ribbon-induced boundary-layer transition. An oscillating-inclined shear layer appears to be the turbulent spot-precursor. The measurements also enabled to compare the actual turbulent spot in bypass transition with the simulated one. A proper orthogonal decomposition analysis of the fluctuating velocity field is carried out. The dominant flow structures of the organized positive and negative fluctuations are captured by the first few eigenfunction modes carrying most of the fluctuating energy. The similarity in the dominant eigenfunctions at different Reynolds numbers suggests that the flow prevails its structural identity even in intermittent flows. This analysis also indicates the possibility of the existence of a spatio-temporal symmetry associated with a travelling wave in the flow.

Passive Manipulation of Separation-Bubble Transition Using Surface Modifications

2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian R. McAuliffe ◽  
Metin I. Yaras
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Surface Modifications ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Vortex Pairing ◽  
Separated Shear Layer ◽  
Scale Turbulence

Through experiments using two-dimensional particle-image velocimetry (PIV), this paper examines the nature of transition in a separation bubble and manipulations of the resultant breakdown to turbulence through passive means of control. An airfoil was used that provides minimal variation in the separation location over a wide operating range, with various two-dimensional modifications made to the surface for the purpose of manipulating the transition process. The study was conducted under low-freestream-turbulence conditions over a flow Reynolds number range of 28,000–101,000 based on airfoil chord. The spatial nature of the measurements has allowed identification of the dominant flow structures associated with transition in the separated shear layer and the manipulations introduced by the surface modifications. The Kelvin–Helmholtz (K-H) instability is identified as the dominant transition mechanism in the separated shear layer, leading to the roll-up of spanwise vorticity and subsequent breakdown into small-scale turbulence. Similarities with planar free-shear layers are noted, including the frequency of maximum amplification rate for the K-H instability and the vortex-pairing phenomenon initiated by a subharmonic instability. In some cases, secondary pairing events are observed and result in a laminar intervortex region consisting of freestream fluid entrained toward the surface due to the strong circulation of the large-scale vortices. Results of the surface-modification study show that different physical mechanisms can be manipulated to affect the separation, transition, and reattachment processes over the airfoil. These manipulations are also shown to affect the boundary-layer losses observed downstream of reattachment, with all surface-indentation configurations providing decreased losses at the three lowest Reynolds numbers and three of the five configurations providing decreased losses at the highest Reynolds number. The primary mechanisms that provide these manipulations include: suppression of the vortex-pairing phenomenon, which reduces both the shear-layer thickness and the levels of small-scale turbulence; the promotion of smaller-scale turbulence, resulting from the disturbances generated upstream of separation, which provides quicker transition and shorter separation bubbles; the elimination of the separation bubble with transition occurring in an attached boundary layer; and physical disturbance, downstream of separation, of the growing instability waves to manipulate the vortical structures and cause quicker reattachment.

scholarly journals New Theories on Boundary Layer Transition and Turbulence Formation

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaoqun Liu ◽  
Ping Lu ◽  
Lin Chen ◽  
Yonghua Yan
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Length Scale ◽  
Multiple Level ◽  
Shear Layer Instability ◽  
Small Length ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Turbulence Generation

This paper is a short review of our recent DNS work on physics of late boundary layer transition and turbulence. Based on our DNS observation, we propose a new theory on boundary layer transition, which has five steps, that is, receptivity, linear instability, large vortex structure formation, small length scale generation, loss of symmetry and randomization to turbulence. For turbulence generation and sustenance, the classical theory, described with Richardson's energy cascade and Kolmogorov length scale, is not observed by our DNS. We proposed a new theory on turbulence generation that all small length scales are generated by “shear layer instability” through multiple level ejections and sweeps and consequent multiple level positive and negative spikes, but not by “vortex breakdown.” We believe “shear layer instability” is the “mother of turbulence.” The energy transferring from large vortices to small vortices is carried out by multiple level sweeps, but does not follow Kolmogorov's theory that large vortices pass energy to small ones through vortex stretch and breakdown. The loss of symmetry starts from the second level ring cycle in the middle of the flow field and spreads to the bottom of the boundary layer and then the whole flow field.

scholarly journals Effects of Periodic Unsteady Wake Flow and Pressure Gradient on Boundary Layer Transition Along the Concave Surface of a Curved Plate

1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. Schobeiri ◽  
R. E. Radke
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Wake Flow ◽  
Concave Surface ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Ensemble Averaging ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Lateral Direction

Boundary layer transition and development on a turbomachinery blade is subjected to highly periodic unsteady turbulent flow, pressure gradient in longitudinal as well as lateral direction, and surface curvature. To study the effects of periodic unsteady wakes on the concave surface of a turbine blade, a curved plate was utilized. On the concave surface of this plate, detailed experimental investigations were carried out under zero and negative pressure gradient. The measurements were performed on an unsteady flow research facility using a rotating cascade of rods positioned upstream of the curved plate. Boundary layer measurements using a hot-wire probe were analyzed by the ensemble-averaging technique. The results presented in the temporal-spatial domain display the transition and further development of the boundary layer, specifically the ensemble-averaged velocity and turbulence intensity. As the results show, the turbulent patches generated by the wakes have different leading and trailing edge velocities and merge with the boundary layer resulting in a strong deformation and generation of a high turbulence intensity core. After the turbulent patch has totally penetrated into the boundary layer, pronounced becalmed regions were formed behind the turbulent patch and were extended far beyond the point they would occur in the corresponding undisturbed steady boundary layer.

Effects of Streamwise Pressure Gradient on Turbulent Spot Development

1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 737-743 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Gostelow ◽  
N. Melwani ◽  
G. J. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Wave Packet ◽  
Pressure Distribution ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Variable Pressure ◽  
Pressure Gradients ◽  
Turbulent Spot ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Turbulent Layer ◽  
Wide Range

A pressure distribution representative of a controlled diffusion compressor blade suction surface is imposed on a flat plate. Boundary layer transition in this situation is investigated by triggering a wave packet, which evolves into a turbulent spot. The development from wave packet to turbulent spot is observed and the interactions of the turbulent spot with the ongoing natural transition and the ensuing turbulent boundary layer are examined. Under this steeply diffusing pressure distribution, strong amplification of primary instabilities prevails. Breakdown to turbulence is instigated near the centerline and propagates transversely along the wave packet until the turbulent region dominates. An extensive calmed region is present behind the spot, which persists well into the surrounding turbulent layer. Celerities of spot leading and trailing edges are presented, as is the spanwise spreading half-angle. Corresponding measurements for spots under a wide range of imposed pressure gradients are compiled and the present results are compared with those of other authors. Resulting correlations for spot propagation parameters are provided for use in computational modeling of the transition region under variable pressure gradients.

Effects of Turbulence and Solidity on the Boundary Layer Development in a Low Pressure Turbine

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Solomon
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Turbulence Level ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Boundary Layer Development ◽  
Layer Development

Multiple-element surface hot-film instrumentation has been used to investigate boundary layer development in the 2 stage Low Speed Research Turbine (LSRT). Measurements from instrumentation located along the suction surface of the second stage nozzle at mid-span are presented. These results contrast the unsteady, wake-induced boundary layer transition behaviour for various turbine configurations. The boundary layer development on two new turbine blading configurations with identical design vector diagrams but substantially different loading levels are compared with a previously published result. For the conventional loading (Zweifel coefficient) designs, the boundary layer transition occurred without laminar separation. At reduced solidity, wake-induced transition started upstream of a laminar separation line and an intermittent separation bubble developed between the wake-influenced areas. A turbulence grid was installed upstream of the LSRT turbine inlet to increase the turbulence level from about 1% for clean-inlet to about 5% with the grid. The effect of turbulence on the transition onset location was smaller for the reduced solidity design than the baseline. At the high turbulence level, the amplitude of the streamwise fluctuation of the wake-induced transition onset point was reduced considerably. By clocking the first stage nozzle row relative to the second, the alignment of the wake-street from the first stage nozzle with the suction surface of the second stage nozzle was varied. At particular wake clocking alignments, the periodicity of wake induced transition was almost completely eliminated.

Numerical Investigation on the Second Stator Boundary Layer Under Clocking Effects: Comparison of v2f and LCL-Model

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Axel Heidecke ◽  
Bernd Stoffel
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Numerical Investigation ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Numerical Work ◽  
Boundary Layer Development

This paper presents the results of a numerical investigation of a 1.5-stage low pressure turbine. The main focus of the numerical work was the prediction of the stator-2 boundary layer development under the influence of the stator stator clocking. The turbine profile used for the examination is a so called high-lift-profile and was designed for a laminar-turbulent transition over a steady separation bubble. The boundary conditions were defined by the 1.5-stage test turbine located at our laboratory, where also the measurement data was derived from. The calculations were conducted with a two-dimensional Navier-Stokes solver using a finite volume discretisation scheme. The higher level turbulence models v′2-f and the LCL-turbulence model, which are capable to predict boundary layer transition were compared with measurement data at midspan.

Large Eddy Simulation of Periodic Wake Impact on Boundary Layer Transition Mechanisms on a Highly Loaded Low-Pressure Turbine Blade

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Winhart ◽  
Martin Sinkwitz ◽  
Andreas Schramm ◽  
Pascal Post ◽  
Francesca di Mare
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Array Measurements ◽  
Numerical Predictions ◽  
Large Eddy ◽  
Highly Loaded

Abstract In the proposed paper the transient interaction between periodic incoming wakes and the laminar separation bubble located on the rear suction surface of a typical, highly loaded LPT blade is investigated by means of highly resolved large-eddy simulations. An annular, large scale, 1.5-stage LPT test-rig, equipped with a modified T106 turbine blading and an upstream rotating vortex generator is considered and the numerical predictions are compared against hot film array measurements. In order to accurately assess both baseline transition and wake impact, simulations were conducted with unperturbed and periodically perturbed inflow conditions. Main mechanisms of transition and wake-boundary layer interaction are investigated utilizing a frequency-time domain analysis. Finally visualizations of the main flow structures and shear layer instabilities are provided utilizing the q-criterion as well as the finite-time Lyapunov exponent.

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