An Investigation of Boundary Layer Development in a Multistage LP Turbine

1994 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-383 ◽  
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 behavior of suction surface boundary layers in a modern multistage Low-Pressure turbine. An array of 18 surface-mounted hot-film anemometers was mounted on a stator blade of the third stage of a four-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 percent surface length. In between these events, laminar separation occurred at about 75 percent surface length. Because the wake-affected part of the flow appeared to be only intermittently turbulent, laminar separation also occurred at about 75 percent 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 blade row is limited and that steady flow design methods should provide an adequate assessment of LP turbine performance during design.

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.

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.

Effects of Reynolds Number and Freestream Turbulence Intensity on the Unsteady Boundary Layer Development on an Ultra-High-Lift Low Pressure Turbine Airfoil

2009 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Feng Zhang ◽  
Howard Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Freestream Turbulence ◽  
Unsteady Boundary Layer ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Boundary Layer Development ◽  
Unsteady Wake ◽  
Layer Development

The effects of Reynolds numbers and the freestream turbulence intensities (FSTIs) on the unsteady boundary layer development on an ultra-high-lift low-pressure turbine airfoil, so-called T106C, are investigated. The measurements were carried out at both Tu=0.5% and 4.0% within a range of Reynolds numbers, based on the blade chord and the isentropic exit velocity, between 100,000 and 260,000. The interaction between the unsteady wake and the boundary layer depends on both the strength of the wake and the status of the boundary layer. At Tu=0.5%, both the wake’s high turbulence and the negative jet behavior of the wake dominate the interaction between the unsteady wake and the separated boundary layer on the suction surface of the airfoil. Since the wake turbulence cannot induce transition before separation on this ultra-high-lift blade, the negative jet of the wake has the opportunity to induce a rollup vortex. At Tu=4.0%, the time-mean separation on the suction surface is much smaller. With elevated FSTI, the turbulence in the wake just above the boundary layer is no longer distinguishable from the background turbulence level. The unsteady boundary layer transition is dominated by the wake’s negative jet induced boundary layer variation.

scholarly journals Effect of Reynolds Number and Periodic Unsteady Wake Flow Condition on Boundary Layer Development, Separation, and Re-Attachment Along the Suction Surface of a Low Pressure Turbine Blade

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. O¨ztu¨rk ◽  
M. T. Schobeiri ◽  
David E. Ashpis
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Wake Flow ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Boundary Layer Development ◽  
Unsteady Wake ◽  
Unsteady Wake Flow

The paper experimentally studies the effects of periodic unsteady wake flow and different Reynolds numbers on boundary layer development, separation and re-attachment along the suction surface of a low pressure turbine blade. The experimental investigations were performed on a large scale, subsonic unsteady turbine cascade research facility at Turbomachinery Performance and Flow Research Laboratory (TPFL) of Texas A&M University. The experiments were carried out at Reynolds numbers of 110,000 and 150,000 (based on suction surface length and exit velocity). One steady and two different unsteady inlet flow conditions with the corresponding passing frequencies, wake velocities, and turbulence intensities were investigated. The reduced frequencies chosen cover the operating range of LP turbines. In addition to the unsteady boundary layer measurements, surface pressure measurements were performed. The inception, onset, and the extent of the separation bubble information collected from the pressure measurements were compared with the hot wire measurements. The results presented in ensemble-averaged, and the contour plot forms help to understand the physics of the separation phenomenon under periodic unsteady wake flow and different Reynolds number. It was found that the suction surface displayed a strong separation bubble for these three different reduced frequencies. For each condition, the locations defining the separation bubble were determined carefully analyzing and examining the pressure and mean velocity profile data. The location of the boundary layer separation was dependent of the Reynolds number. It is observed that starting point of the separation bubble and the re-attachment point move further downstream by increasing Reynolds number from 110,000 to 150,000. Also, the size of the separation bubble is smaller when compared to that for Re = 110,000.

scholarly journals Effect of Reynolds Number and Periodic Unsteady Wake Flow Condition on Boundary Layer Development, Separation, and Intermittency Behavior Along the Suction Surface of a Low Pressure Turbine Blade

2005 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. Schobeiri ◽  
B. Öztürk ◽  
David E. Ashpis
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Wake Flow ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Boundary Layer Development ◽  
Unsteady Wake ◽  
Unsteady Wake Flow ◽  
Layer Development ◽  
Intermittency Analysis

The paper experimentally studies the effects of periodic unsteady wake flow and Reynolds number on boundary layer development, separation, reattachment, and the intermittency behavior along the suction surface of a low pressure turbine blade. Extensive unsteady boundary layer experiments were carried out at Reynolds numbers of 110,000 and 150,000 based on suction surface length and exit velocity. One steady and two different unsteady inlet flow conditions with the corresponding passing frequencies, wake velocities, and turbulence intensities were investigated. The analysis of the experimental data reveals details of boundary layer separation dynamics which is essential for understanding the physics of the separation phenomenon under periodic unsteady wake flow and different Reynolds numbers. To provide a complete picture of the transition process and separation dynamics, extensive intermittency analysis was conducted. Ensemble-averaged maximum and minimum intermittency functions were determined, leading to the relative intermittency function. In addition, the detailed intermittency analysis was aimed at answering the question as to whether the relative intermittency of a separated flow fulfills the universality criterion.

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.

Turbine Separation Control Using Pulsed Vortex Generator Jets

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey P. Bons ◽  
Rolf Sondergaard ◽  
Richard B. Rivir
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Vortex Generator ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Pressure Distributions ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Flow Oscillations ◽  
Vortex Generator Jets

The application of pulsed vortex generator jets to control separation on the suction surface of a low pressure turbine blade is reported. Blade Reynolds numbers in the experimental, linear turbine cascade match those for high altitude aircraft engines and aft stages of industrial turbine engines with elevated turbine inlet temperatures. The vortex generator jets have a 30 degree pitch and a 90 degree skew to the freestream direction. Jet flow oscillations up to 100 Hz are produced using a high frequency solenoid feed valve. Results are compared to steady blowing at jet blowing ratios less than 4 and at two chordwise positions upstream of the nominal separation zone. Results show that pulsed vortex generator jets produce a bulk flow effect comparable to that of steady jets with an order of magnitude less massflow. Boundary layer traverses and blade static pressure distributions show that separation is almost completely eliminated with the application of unsteady blowing. Reductions of over 50% in the wake loss profile of the controlled blade were measured. Experimental evidence suggests that the mechanism for unsteady control lies in the starting and ending transitions of the pulsing cycle rather than the injected jet stream itself. Boundary layer spectra support this conclusion and highlight significant differences between the steady and unsteady control techniques. The pulsed vortex generator jets are effective at both chordwise injection locations tested (45% and 63% axial chord) covering a substantial portion of the blade suction surface. This insensitivity to injection location bodes well for practical application of pulsed VGJ control where the separation location may not be accurately known a priori.

Actuated Transition in an LP Turbine Laminar Separation: An Experimental Approach

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Baumann ◽  
Ulrich Rist ◽  
Martin Rose ◽  
Tobias Ries ◽  
Stephan Staudacher
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Stream Velocity ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Low Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Low Reynolds ◽  
Lp Turbine

The reduction of blade counts in the LP turbine is one possibility to cut down weight and therewith costs. At low Reynolds numbers the suction side laminar boundary layer of high lift LP turbine blades tends to separate and hence cause losses in turbine performance. To limit these losses, the control of laminar separation bubbles has been the subject of many studies in recent years. A project is underway at the University of Stuttgart that aims to suppress laminar separation at low Reynolds numbers (60,000) by means of actuated transition. In an experiment a separating flow is influenced by disturbances, small in amplitude and of a certain frequency, which are introduced upstream of the separation point. Small existing disturbances are therewith amplified, leading to earlier transition and a more stable boundary layer. The separation bubble thus gets smaller without need of a high air mass flow as for steady blowing or pulsed vortex generating jets. Frequency and amplitude are the parameters of actuation. The non-dimensional actuation frequency is varied from 0.2 to 0.5, whereas the normalized amplitude is altered between 5, 10 and 25% of the free stream velocity. Experimental investigations are made by means of PIV and hot wire measurements. Disturbed flow fields will be compared to an undisturbed one. The effectiveness of the presented boundary layer control will be compared to those of conventional ones. Phase-logged data will give an impression of the physical processes in the actuated flow.

Experimental Study of the Effect of Periodic Unsteady Wake Flow on Boundary Layer Development, Separation, and Reattachment Along the Surface of a Low Pressure Turbine Blade

2004 ◽  
Vol 126 (4) ◽  
pp. 663-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. Schobeiri ◽  
B. O¨ztu¨rk
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Wake Flow ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Reduced Frequency ◽  
Boundary Layer Development ◽  
Unsteady Wake ◽  
Unsteady Wake Flow ◽  
Layer Development

The paper experimentally studies the effects of periodic unsteady wake flow on boundary layer development, separation and reattachment along the suction surface of a low pressure turbine blade. The experimental investigations were performed on a large scale, subsonic unsteady turbine cascade research facility at the Turbomachinery Performance and Flow Research Laboratory (TPFL), Texas A&M University. The experiments were carried out at a Reynolds number of 110,000 (based on suction surface length and exit velocity) with a free-stream turbulence intensity of 1.9%. One steady and two different unsteady inlet flow conditions with the corresponding passing frequencies, wake velocities, and turbulence intensities were investigated. The reduced frequencies cover the entire operating range of LP turbines. In addition to the unsteady boundary layer measurements, blade surface measurements were performed at the same Reynolds number. The surface pressure measurements were also carried out at one steady and two periodic unsteady inlet flow conditions. The results presented in ensemble-averaged, and the contour plot forms help to understand the physics of the separation phenomenon under periodic unsteady wake flow. It was found that the suction surface displayed a strong separation bubble for these three different reduced frequencies. For each condition, the locations and the heights defining the separation bubble were determined by carefully analyzing and examining the pressure and the mean velocity profile data. The location of boundary layer separation was independent of the reduced frequency level. However, the extent of the separation was strongly dependent on the reduced frequency level. Once the unsteady wake started to penetrate into the separation bubble, the turbulent spot produced in the wake paths caused a reduction of the separation bubble height.

Unsteady Wake-Induced Boundary Layer Transition in High Lift LP Turbines

1998 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Schulte ◽  
H. P. Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Boundary Layer Development ◽  
Unsteady Wake ◽  
Lp Turbine ◽  
Wake Passing ◽  
Layer Development ◽  
Highly Loaded

The development of the unsteady suction side boundary layer of a highly loaded LP turbine blade has been investigated in a rectilinear cascade experiment. Upstream rotor wakes were simulated with a moving-bar wake generator. A variety of cases with different wake-passing frequencies, different wake strength, and different Reynolds numbers were tested. Boundary layer surveys have been obtained with a single hotwire probe. Wall shear stress has been investigated with surface-mounted hot-film gages. Losses have been measured. The suction surface boundary layer development of a modern highly loaded LP turbine blade is shown to be dominated by effects associated with unsteady wake-passing. Whereas without wakes the boundary layer features a large separation bubble at a typical cruise Reynolds number, the bubble was largely suppressed if subjected to unsteady wake-passing at a typical frequency and wake strength. Transitional patches and becalmed regions, induced by the wake, dominated the boundary layer development. The becalmed regions inhibited transition and separation and are shown to reduce the loss of the wake-affected boundary layer. An optimum wake-passing frequency exists at cruise Reynolds numbers. For a selected wake-passing frequency and wake strength, the profile loss is almost independent of Reynolds number. This demonstrates a potential to design highly loaded LP turbine profiles without suffering large losses at low Reynolds numbers.

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