The Influence of Blade Lean on Turbine Losses

1992 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 184-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Harrison

Three linear cascades of highly loaded, low-aspect-ratio turbine blades have been tested in order to investigate the mechanisms by which blade lean (dihedral) influences loss generation. The blades in all three cascades have the same section but they are stacked perpendicular to the end wall in the first cascade, on a straight line inclined at 20 deg from perpendicular in the second, and on a circular arc inclined at 30 deg from perpendicular at each end in the third cascade. Lean has a marked effect upon blade loading, on the distribution of loss generation, and on the state of boundary layers on the blade suction surfaces and the endwalls, but its effect upon overall loss coefficient was found to be minimal. It was found, however, that compound lean reduced the downstream mixing losses, and reasons for this are proposed. Compound lean also has the beneficial effect of substantially reducing spanwise variations of mean exit flow angle. In a turbine this would be likely to reduce losses in the downstream blade row as well as making matching easier and improving off-design performance.

Author(s):  
S. Harrison

Three linear cascades of highly loaded, low aspect ratio turbine blades have been tested in order to investigate the mechanisms by which blade lean (dihedral) influences loss generation. The blades in all three cascades have the same section but they are stacked perpendicular to the endwall in the first cascade, on a straight line inclined at 20° from perpendicular in the second and on a circular arc inclined at 30° from perpendicular at each end in the third cascade. Lean has a marked effect upon blade loading, on the distribution of loss generation and on the state of boundary layers on the blade suction surfaces and the endwalls, but its effect upon overall loss coefficient was found to be minimal. It was found, however, that compound lean reduced the downstream mixing losses, and reasons for this are proposed. Compound lean also has the beneficial effect of substantially reducing spanwise variations of mean exit flow angle. In a turbine this would be likely to reduce losses in the downstream bladerow as well as making matching easier and improving off-design performance.


2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Budimir Rosic ◽  
John D. Denton

Shroud leakage flow undergoes little change in the tangential velocity as it passes over the shroud. Mixing due to the difference in tangential velocity between the main stream flow and the leakage flow creates a significant proportion of the total loss associated with shroud leakage flow. The unturned leakage flow also causes negative incidence and intensifies the secondary flows in the downstream blade row. This paper describes the experimental results of a concept to turn the rotor shroud leakage flow in the direction of the main blade passage flow in order to reduce the aerodynamic mixing losses. A three-stage air model turbine with low aspect ratio blading was used in this study. A series of different stationary turning vane geometries placed into the rotor shroud exit cavity downstream of each rotor blade row was tested. A significant improvement in flow angle and loss in the downstream stator blade rows was measured together with an increase in turbine brake efficiency of 0.4 %.


1999 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Hartland ◽  
D. G. Gregory-Smith ◽  
N. W. Harvey ◽  
M. G. Rose

The Durham Linear Cascade has been redesigned with the nonaxisymmetric profiled end wall described in the first part of this paper, with the aim of reducing the effects of secondary flow. The design intent was to reduce the passage vortex strength and to produce a more uniform exit flow angle profile in the radial direction with less overturning at the wall. The new end wall has been tested in the linear cascade and a comprehensive set of measurements taken. These include traverses of the flow field at a number of axial planes and surface static pressure distributions on the end wall. Detailed comparisons have been made with the CFD design predictions, and also for the results with a planar end wall. In this way an improved understanding of the effects of end wall profiling has been obtained. The experimental results generally agree with the design predictions, showing a reduction in the strength of the secondary flow at the exit and a more uniform flow angle profile. In a turbine stage these effects would be expected to improve the performance of any downstream blade row. There is also a reduction in the overall loss, which was not given by the CFD design predictions. Areas where there are discrepancies between the CFD calculations and measurement are likely to be due to the turbulence model used. Conclusions for how the three-dimensional linear design system should be used to define end wall geometries for improved turbine performance are presented. [S0889-504X(00)01002-3]


Author(s):  
Budimir Rosic ◽  
John D. Denton

Shroud leakage flow undergoes little change in the tangential velocity as it passes over the shroud. Mixing due to the difference in tangential velocity between the main stream flow and the leakage flow creates a significant proportion of the total loss associated with shroud leakage flow. The unturned leakage flow also causes negative incidence and intensifies the secondary flows in the downstream blade row. This paper describes the experimental results of a concept to turn the rotor shroud leakage flow in the direction of the main blade passage flow in order to reduce the aerodynamic mixing losses. A three-stage air model turbine with low aspect ratio blading was used in this study. A series of different stationary turning vane geometries placed into the rotor shroud exit cavity downstream of each rotor blade row was tested. A significant improvement in flow angle and loss in the downstream stator blade rows was measured together with an increase in turbine brake efficiency of 0.4%.


Author(s):  
J. C. Hartland ◽  
D. G. Gregory-Smith ◽  
N. W. Harvey ◽  
M. G. Rose

The Durham Linear Cascade has been redesigned with the non-axisymmetric profiled end wall described in the first part of this paper, with the aim of reducing the effects of secondary flow. The design intent was to reduce the passage vortex strength and to produce a more uniform exit flow angle profile in the radial direction with less over turning at the wall. The new end wall has been tested in the linear cascade and a comprehensive set of measurements taken. These include traverses of the flow field at a number of axial planes and surface static pressure distributions on the end wall. Detailed comparisons have been made with the CFD design predictions, and also for the results with a planar end wall. In this way an improved understanding of the effects of end wall profiling has been obtained. The experimental results generally agree with the design predictions, showing a reduction in the strength of the secondary flow at the exit and a more uniform flow angle profile. In a turbine stage these effects would be expected to improve the performance of any downstream blade row. There is also a reduction in the overall loss, which was not given by the CFD design predictions. Areas where there are discrepancies between the CFD calculations and measurement are likely to be due to the turbulence model used. Conclusions for how the three-dimensional linear design system should be used to define end wall geometries for improved turbine performance are presented.


Author(s):  
M. Yaras ◽  
S. A. Sjolander

The paper presents detailed measurements of the tip-leakage flow emerging from a planar cascade of turbine blades. Four clearances of from 1.5 to 5.5 percent of the blade chord are considered. Measurements were made at the trailing edge plane, and at two main planes 1.0 and 1.56 axial chord lengths downstream of the cascade. The results give insight into several aspects of the leakage flow including: the size and strength of the leakage vortex in relation to the size of the tip gap and the bound circulation of the blade; and the evolution of the components of vorticity as the vortex diffuses laterally downstream of the blade row. The vortex was found to have largely completed its roll-up into a nearly axisymmetric structure even at the trailing edge of the cascade. As a result, it was found that the vortex could be modelled surprisingly well with a simple model based on the diffusion of a line vortex.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Flídr ◽  
Petr Straka ◽  
Milan Kladrubský ◽  
Tomáš Jelínek

AbstractThis contribution describes experimental and numerical research of an unsteady behaviour of a flow in an end-wall region of a linear nozzle cascade. Effects of compressibility ($$M_\mathrm {2,is}$$ M 2 , is ) and inlet flow angle ($$\alpha _1$$ α 1 ) were investigated. Reynolds number ($$Re_\mathrm {2,is}$$ R e 2 , is $$=8.5\times 10^5$$ = 8.5 × 10 5 ) was held constant for all tested cases. Unsteady pressure measurement was performed at the blade mid-span in the identical position $${\mathfrak {s}}$$ s to obtain reference data. Surface flow visualizations were performed as well as the steady pressure measurement to support conclusions obtained from the unsteady measurements. Comparison of the surface Mach number distributions obtained from the experiments and from the numerical simulations are presented. Flow visualizations are then compared with calculated limiting streamlines on the blade suction surface. It was shown, that the flow structures in the end-wall region were not affected by the primary flow at the blade mid-span, even when the shock wave formed. This conclusion was made from the experimental, numerical, steady as well as unsteady points of view. Three significant frequencies in the power spectra suggested that there was a periodical interaction between the vortex structures in the end-wall region. Based on the data analyses, anisotropic turbulence was observed in the cascade.


Author(s):  
T. Valkov ◽  
C. S. Tan

A computational approach, based on a spectral-element Navier-Stokes solver, has been applied to the study of the unsteady flow arising from wake-stator interaction. Direct, as well as turbulence-model calculations, provide insight into the mechanics of the unsteady flow and demonstrate the potential for controlling its effects. The results show that the interaction between the wakes and the stator blades produces a characteristic pattern of vortical disturbances, which have been correlated to the pressure fluctuations. Within the stator passage, the wakes migrate towards the pressure surface where they evolve into counter-rotating vortices. These vortices are the dominant source of disturbances over the pressure surface of the stator blade. Over the suction surface of the stator blade, the disturbances are due to the distortion and detachment of boundary layer fluid. They can be reduced by tailoring the blade loading or by applying non-uniform suction.


Author(s):  
Budimir Rosic ◽  
John D. Denton ◽  
Eric M. Curtis ◽  
Ashley T. Peterson

The geometry of the exit shroud cavity where the rotor shroud leakage flow re-enters the main passage flow is very important due to the dominant influence of the leakage flow on the aerodynamics of low aspect ratio turbines. The work presented in this paper investigates, both experimentally and numerically, possibilities for the control of shroud leakage flow by modifications to the exit shroud cavity. The processes through which the leakage flow affects the mainstream aerodynamics identified in the first part of this study were used to develop promising strategies for reducing the influence of shroud leakage flow. The experimental program of this study was conducted on a three-stage model air turbine, which was extensively supported by CFD analysis. Three different concepts for shroud leakage flow control in the exit cavity were analysed and tested: a) profiled exit cavity downstream end-wall, b) axial deflector, and c) radial deflector concept. Reductions in aerodynamic losses associated with shroud leakage were achieved by controlling the position and direction at which the leakage jet re-enters the mainstream when it leaves the exit shroud cavity. Suggestions are made for an optimum shroud and cavity geometry.


2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Gómez-Iradi ◽  
R. Steijl ◽  
G. N. Barakos

This paper demonstrates the potential of a compressible Navier–Stokes CFD method for the analysis of horizontal axis wind turbines. The method was first validated against experimental data of the NREL/NASA-Ames Phase VI (Hand, et al., 2001, “Unsteady Aerodynamics Experiment Phase, VI: Wind Tunnel Test Configurations and Available Data Campaigns,” NREL, Technical Report No. TP-500-29955) wind-tunnel campaign at 7 m/s, 10 m/s, and 20 m/s freestreams for a nonyawed isolated rotor. Comparisons are shown for the surface pressure distributions at several stations along the blades as well as for the integrated thrust and torque values. In addition, a comparison between measurements and CFD results is shown for the local flow angle at several stations ahead of the wind turbine blades. For attached and moderately stalled flow conditions the thrust and torque predictions are fair, though improvements in the stalled flow regime are necessary to avoid overprediction of torque. Subsequently, the wind-tunnel wall effects on the blade aerodynamics, as well as the blade/tower interaction, were investigated. The selected case corresponded to 7 m/s up-wind wind turbine at 0 deg of yaw angle and a rotational speed of 72 rpm. The obtained results suggest that the present method can cope well with the flows encountered around wind turbines providing useful results for their aerodynamic performance and revealing flow details near and off the blades and tower.


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