scholarly journals Free-Stream Turbulence and Concave Curvature Effects on Heated, Transitional Boundary Layers

1992 ◽  
Vol 114 (2) ◽  
pp. 338-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kim ◽  
T. W. Simon ◽  
S. G. Russ
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Turbulent Flows ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Reynolds Analogy ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Curvature Effects ◽  
Concave Wall ◽  
Laminar And Turbulent Flows

An experimental investigation of transition in concave-curved boundary layers at two free-stream turbulence levels (0.6 and 8.6 percent) was performed. For the lower free-stream turbulence intensity case, Go¨rtler vortices were observed in both laminar and turbulent flows using liquid crystal visualization and spanwise velocity and temperature traverses. Transition is thought to occur via a vortex breakdown mode. The vortex locations were invariant with time but were nonuniform across the span in both the laminar and turbulent flows. The upwash regions between two vortices were more unstable than were the downwash regions, containing higher levels of u’ and u’ v’, and lower skin friction coefficients and shape factors. Turbulent Prandtl numbers, measured using a triple-wire probe, were near unity for all post-transitional profiles, indicating no gross violation of Reynolds analogy. No streamwise vortices were observed in the higher turbulence intensity case. This may be due to the high eddy viscosity, which reduces the turbulent Go¨rtler number to subcritical values, thus eliminating the vortices, or due to an unsteadiness of the vortex structure that could not be observed by the techniques used. Based upon these results, predictions that assume two-dimensional modeling of the flow over a concave wall with high free-stream turbulence levels, as on the pressure surface of a turbine blade, seem to be adequate—there is no time-average, three-dimensional structure to be resolved. High levels of free-stream turbulence superimposed on a free-stream velocity gradient (which occurs within curved channels) cause a cross-stream transport of momentum within the flow outside the boundary layer. The total pressure within this region can rise above the value measured at the inlet to the test section.

scholarly journals Effects of Free-Stream Turbulence Intensity on a Boundary Layer Recovering From Concave Curvature Effects

1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Kestoras ◽  
Terrence W. Simon
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Velocity Distribution ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Outer Region ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Flat Wall ◽  
Curvature Effects ◽  
Turbulent Eddies ◽  
Concave Wall

Experiments are conducted on a flat recovery wall downstream of sustained concave curvature in the presence of high free-stream turbulence (TI∼8%). This flow simulates some of the features of the flow on the latter parts of the pressure surface of a gas turbine airfoil. The combined effects of concave curvature and TI, both present in the flow over a turbine airfoil, have so far little been studied. Computation of such flows with standard turbulence closure models has not been particularly successful. This experiment attempts to characterize the turbulence characteristics of this flow. In the present study, a turbulent boundary layer grows from the leading edge of a concave wall then passes onto a downstream flat wall. Results show that turbulence intensities increase profoundly in the outer region of the boundary layer over the recovery wall. Near-wall turbulent eddies appear to lift off the recovery wall and a “stabilized” region forms near the wall. In contrast to a low-free-stream turbulence intensity flow, turbulent eddies penetrate the outer parts of the “stabilized” region where sharp velocity and temperature gradients exist. These eddies can more readily transfer momentum and heat. As a result, skin friction coefficients and Stanton numbers on the recovery wall are 20% and 10%, respectively, above their values in the low-free-stream turbulence intensity case. Stanton numbers do not undershoot flat-wall expectations at the same ReΔ2 values as seen in the low-TI case. Remarkably, the velocity distribution in the core of the flow over the recovery wall exhibits a negative gradient normal to the wall under high free-stream turbulence intensity conditions. This velocity distribution appears to be the result of two effects: 1) cross transport of kinetic energy by boundary work in the upstream curved flow and 2) readjustment of static pressure profiles in response to the removal of concave curvature.

Effects of Free-Stream Turbulence Intensity on a Boundary Layer Recovering From Concave Curvature Effects

1995 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 240-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. Kestoras ◽  
T. W. Simon
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Velocity Distribution ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Outer Region ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Flat Wall ◽  
Curvature Effects ◽  
Turbulent Eddies ◽  
Concave Wall

Experiments are conducted on a flat recovery wall downstream of sustained concave curvature in the presence of high free-stream turbulence (TI ∼ 8%). This flow simulates some of the features of the flow on the latter parts of the pressure surface of a gas turbine airfoil. The combined effects of concave curvature and TI, both present in the flow over a turbine airfoil, have so far been little studied. Computation of such flows with standard turbulence closure models has not been particularly successful. This experiment attempts to characterize the turbulence characteristics of this flow. In the present study, a turbulent boundary layer grows from the leading edge of a concave wall, then passes onto a downstream flat wall. Results show that turbulence intensities increase profoundly in the outer region of the boundary layer over the recovery wall. Near-wall turbulent eddies appear to lift off the recovery wall and a “stabilized” region forms near the wall. In contrast to a low-free-stream turbulence intensity flow, turbulent eddies penetrate the outer parts of the “stabilized” region where sharp velocity and temperature gradients exist. These eddies can more readily transfer momentum and heat. As a result, skin friction coefficients and Stanton numbers on the recovery wall are 20 and 10 percent, respectively, above their values in the low-free-stream turbulence intensity case. Stanton numbers do not undershoot flat-wall expectations at the same Reδ2 values as seen in the low-TI case. Remarkably, the velocity distribution in the core of the flow over the recovery wall exhibits a negative gradient normal to the wall under high-free-stream turbulence intensity conditions. This velocity distribution appears to be the result of two effects: (1) cross transport of kinetic energy by boundary work in the upstream curved flow and (2) readjustment of static pressure profiles in response to the removal of concave curvature.

Free-Stream Turbulence From a Circular Wall Jet on a Flat Plate Heat Transfer and Boundary Layer Flow

1989 ◽  
Vol 111 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. MacMullin ◽  
W. Elrod ◽  
R. Rivir
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Surface Profile ◽  
Constant Heat Flux ◽  
Length Scale ◽  
Wall Jet ◽  
Reynolds Analogy ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence

The effects of the longitudinal turbulence intensity parameter of free-stream turbulence (FST) on heat transfer were studied using the aggressive flow characteristics of a circular tangential wall jet over a constant heat flux surface. Profile measurements of velocity, temperature, integral length scale, and spectra were obtained at downstream locations (2 to 20 x/D) and turbulence intensities (7 to 18 percent). The results indicated that the Stanton number (St) and friction factor (Cf) increased with increasing turbulence intensity. The Reynolds analogy factor (2St/Cf) increased up to turbulence intensities of 12 percent, then became constant, and decreased after 15 percent. This factor was also found to be dependent on the Reynolds number (Rex) and plate configuration. The influence of length scale, as found by previous researchers, was inconclusive at the conditions tested.

scholarly journals Bypass Transition in Boundary Layers Including Curvature and Favorable Pressure Gradient Effects

1995 ◽  
Vol 117 (1) ◽  
pp. 166-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Volino ◽  
T. W. Simon
Keyword(s):  
Skin Friction ◽  
Production Rate ◽  
Transition Region ◽  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Bypass Transition ◽  
Turbulence Level ◽  
Reynolds Analogy ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Convex Curvature

Recent experimental studies of two-dimensional boundary layers undergoing bypass transition have been reviewed to attempt to characterize the effects of free-stream turbulence level, acceleration, and wall curvature on bypass transition. Results from several studies were cast in terms of “local” boundary layer coordinates (momentum and enthalpy thickness Reynolds numbers) and compared. In unaccelerated flow on flat walls, skin friction coefficients were shown to match those from a laminar integral solution before transition and quickly adjusted to match those from a fully turbulent correlation after transition. Stanton number data also matched a correlation in the laminar region, but do not match correlation values so well in the turbulent region. The data showed that the relationship between skin friction coefficient and momentum thickness Reynolds number is unaffected by streamwise acceleration. Stanton numbers were strongly affected by acceleration, however, indicating a breakdown in Reynolds analogy. Concave curvature caused the formation of Go¨rtler vortices, which strongly influenced the skin friction. Convex curvature had an opposite, and lesser effect. The location and length of the transition region generally followed the expected trends as free-stream turbulence level, curvature, and acceleration were varied; the onset location and the transition length were extended by acceleration and convex curvature and reduced by concave curvature and enhanced turbulence. When individual cases were compared, some inconsistencies were observed. These inconsistencies indicate a need to characterize the flows to be compared more completely. Better spectral and length scale measurements of the free-stream disturbance would help in this regard. Within the transition region, the intermittency data from all the cases on flat walls (no curvature) were consistent with an intermittency distribution from the literature. Turbulent spot production rates were shown to be mostly dependent on free-stream turbulence, with a noted increase in spot production rate due to concave curvature and little effect of convex curvature. The acceleration effect on spot production rate was small for the cases studied.

scholarly journals Turbulent Transport Measurements in a Heated Boundary Layer: Combined Effects of Free-Stream Turbulence and Removal of Concave Curvature

1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Kestoras ◽  
Terrence W. Simon
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Turbulent Transport ◽  
Outer Part ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Concave Wall ◽  
Prandtl Numbers ◽  
Near Wall

Turbulence measurements for both momentum and heat transport are taken in a boundary layer over a flat, recovery wall downstream of a concave wall (R=0.97m). The boundary layer appears turbulent from the beginning of the concave wall and grows over the test wall with negligible streamwise acceleration. The strength of curvature at the bend exit, δ99.5/R, is 0.04. The free-stream turbulence intensity is ∼8% at the beginning of the curve and is nearly uniform at ∼4.5% throughout the recovery wall. Comparisons are made with data taken in an earlier study, in the same test facility, but with a low free-stream turbulence intensity (−0.6%). Results show that on the recovery wall, elevated free-stream turbulence intensity enhances turbulent transport quantities such as -uv¯ and vt¯ in most of the outer part of the boundary layer, but near-wall values of vt¯ remain unaffected. This is in contrast to near-wall vt¯ values within the curve which decrease when free-stream turbulence is increased. At the bend exit, decreases of -uv¯ and vt¯ due to removal of curvature become more profound when free-stream turbulence intensity is elevated, compared to low-TI behavior. Measurements in the core of the flow indicate that the high levels of cross transport of momentum over the upstream concave wall cease when curvature is removed. Other results show that turbulent Prandtl numbers over the recovery wall are reduced to −0.9 when free-stream turbulence intensity is elevated, consistent with the rise in Stanton numbers over the recovery wall.

Measurements in a Transitional Boundary Layer With Görtler Vortices

1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph J. Volino ◽  
Terrence W. Simon
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Streamwise Velocity ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Görtler Vortices ◽  
Concave Wall ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Gortler Vortices

The laminar-turbulent transition process has been documented in a concave-wall boundary layer subject to low (0.6%) free-stream turbulence intensity. Transition began at a Reynolds number, Rex (based on distance from the leading edge of the test wall), of 3.5×105 and was completed by 4.7×105. The transition was strongly influenced by the presence of stationary, streamwise, Görtler vortices. Transition under similar conditions has been documented in previous studies, but because concave-wall transition tends to be rapid, measurements within the transition zone were sparse. In this study, emphasis is on measurements within the zone of intermittent flow. Twenty-five profiles of mean streamwise velocity, fluctuating streamwise velocity, and intermittency have been acquired at five values of Rex, and five spanwise locations relative to a Görtler vortex. The mean velocity profiles acquired near the vortex downwash sites exhibit inflection points and local minima. These minima, located in the outer part of the boundary layer, provide evidence of a “tilting” of the vortices in the spanwise direction. Profiles of fluctuating velocity and intermittency exhibit peaks near the locations of the minima in the mean velocity profiles. These peaks indicate that turbulence is generated in regions of high shear, which are relatively far from the wall. The transition mechanism in this flow is different from that on flat walls, where turbulence is produced in the near-wall region. The peak intermittency values in the profiles increase with Rex, but do not follow the “universal” distribution observed in most flat-wall, transitional boundary layers. The results have applications whenever strong concave curvature may result in the formation of Görtler vortices in otherwise 2-D flows. Because these cases were run with a low value of free-stream turbulence intensity, the flow is not a replication of a gas turbine flow. However, the results do provide a base case for further work on transition on the pressure side of gas turbine airfoils, where concave curvature effects are combined with the effects of high free-stream turbulence and strong streamwise pressure gradients, for they show the effects of embedded streamwise vorticity in a flow that is free of high-turbulence effects.

Free-Stream Turbulence Effects on Convex-Curved Turbulent Boundary Layers

1989 ◽  
Vol 111 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. You ◽  
T. W. Simon ◽  
J. Kim
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulent Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Skin Friction Coefficient ◽  
Radius Of Curvature ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Curvature Effects ◽  
Asymptotic Shape ◽  
Turbulence Effects

Free-stream turbulence intensity effects on a convex-curved turbulent boundary layer are investigated. An attached fully turbulent boundary layer is grown on a flat plate and is then introduced to a downstream section where the test wall is convexly curved, having a constant radius of curvature. Two cases, with free-stream turbulence intensities of 1.85 and 0.65 percent, are discussed. They were taken in the same facility and with the same strength of curvature, δ/R = 0.03−0.045. The two cases have similar flow conditions upon entry to the curve, thus separating the free-stream turbulence effects under study from other effects. The higher turbulence case displayed stronger curvature effects on the skin friction coefficient Cf, and on streamwise-normal and shear stress profiles, than observed in the lower turbulence case. Observations of this are: (1) As expected, the higher turbulence case has a higher Cf value ( ∼ 5 percent) upstream of the curve than does the lower turbulence case, but this difference diminishes by the end of the curve. (2) Streamwise turbulence intensity profiles, differing upstream of the curve for the two cases, are found to be similar near the end of the curve, thus indicating that the effect of curvature is dominating over the effect of free-stream turbulence intensity. Many effects of curvature observed in the lower turbulence intensity case, and reported previously, e.g., a dramatic response to the introduction of curvature and the rapid assumption of an asymptotic shape within the curve, are also seen in the higher turbulence case.

scholarly journals Turbulence Measurements in a Heated, Concave Boundary Layer Under High Free-Stream Turbulence Conditions

1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Kestoras ◽  
Terrence W. Simon
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Mixing Length ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Turbulence Measurements ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Concave Wall ◽  
Prandtl Numbers

Turbulence measurements for both momentum and heat transfer are taken in a low-velocity, turbulent boundary layer growing naturally over a concave wall. The experiments are conducted with negligible streamwise acceleration and a nominal free-stream turbulence intensity of −8%. Comparisons are made with data taken in an earlier study in the same test facility but with a 0.6% free-stream turbulence intensity. Results show that elevated free-stream turbulence intensity enhances turbulence transport quantities like uv and vt in most of the boundary layer. In contrast to the low-turbulence cases, high levels of transport of momentum are measured outside the boundary layer. Stable, Görtler-like vortices, present in the flow under low-turbulence conditions, do not form when the free-stream turbulence intensity is elevated. Turbulent Prandtl numbers, Prt, within the log region of the boundary layer over the concave wall increase with streamwise distance to values as high as 1.2. Profiles of Prt suggest that the increase in momentum transport with increased free-stream turbulence intensity precedes the increase in heat transport. Distributions of near-wall mixing length for momentum remain unchanged on the concave wall when free-stream turbulence intensity is elevated. Both for this level of free-stream turbulence and for the lower level, mixing length distributions increase linearly with distance from the wall following the standard slope. However when free-stream turbulence intensity is elevated, this linear region extends farther into the boundary layer, indicating the emerging importance of larger eddies in the wake of the boundary layer with the high-turbulence free-stream. Because these eddies are damped by the wall, the influence of the wall grows with eddy size.

The Influence of Deterministic Surface Roughness and Free-Stream Turbulence on Transitional Boundary Layers: Heat Transfer Distributions and a New Transition Onset Correlation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Gramespacher ◽  
Matthias Stripf ◽  
Hans-Jörg Bauer
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Length Scales ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence

Abstract Heat transfer measurements in transitional flat plate boundary layers subjected to surface roughness, strong pressure gradients and free stream turbulence are presented. The surfaces considered, consist of a smooth reference and twenty six deterministic surface topographies that vary in roughness element aspect ratio, height and density. They are designed to cover the full range of roughness regimes from smooth over transitionally rough to fully rough. For each surface, two pressure distributions, characteristic for a suction and a pressure side turbine vane, are investigated. Inlet Reynolds numbers range from 3.0 · 105 to 6.0 · 105 and inlet turbulence intensity is varied between 1% to 8%. Furthermore, different turbulence Reynolds numbers, i.e. turbulence length scales, are realized while the incident turbulence intensity is kept constant. Additionally, the turbulence intensity and Reynolds stress distributions in the free-stream along the flat plate are measured using x-wire probes. Results show a strong influence of roughness and turbulence intensity on the onset of transition. The new data set is used to develop an improved correlation considering the roughness height, density and shape as well as the turbulence intensity and turbulent length scales.

Calculation of Transitional Boundary Layers With an Improved Low-Reynolds-Number Version of the k–ε Turbulence Model

1994 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 765-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Biswas ◽  
Y. Fukuyama
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Turbulent Flows ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Low Reynolds Number ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Limiting Behavior ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Low Reynolds

Several well-known low-Reynolds-number versions of the k–ε models are analyzed critically for laminar to turbulent transitional flows as well as near-wall turbulent flows from a theoretical and numerical standpoint. After examining apparent problems associated with the modeling of low-Reynolds-number wall damping functions used in these models, an improved version of the k–ε model is proposed by defining the wall damping factors as a function of some quantity (turbulence Reynolds number Ret) that is only a rather general indicator of the degree of turbulent activity at any location in the flow rather than a specific function of the location itself, and by considering the wall limiting behavior, the free-stream asymptotic behavior, and the balance between production and destruction of turbulence. This new model is applied to the prediction of (1) transitional boundary layers influenced by the free-stream turbulence, pressure gradient, and heat transfer; (2) external heat transfer distribution on the gas turbine rotor and stator blade under different inlet Reynolds number and free-stream turbulence conditions. It is demonstrated that the present model yields improved predictions.

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