High Pressure Turbine Low Radius Radial TOBI Discharge Coefficient Validation Process

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander V. Mirzamoghadam ◽  
Ardeshir Riahi ◽  
Mark C. Morris

A TOBI (tangential on board injection), or preswirl, system is a critical component of a high pressure turbine cooling delivery system. Its efficient performance and characterization are critical because the blade and disk life depend on the accuracy of delivering the required flow at the correct temperature and pressure. This paper presents a TOBI flow discharge coefficient validation process applied to a low radius radial configuration starting from a 1dimensional (1D) network flow analysis to a 3 dimensional (3D) frozen rotor computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of the rotor cooling air delivery system. The analysis domain commences in the combustor plenum stationary reference frame, includes the TOBI, transitions to the rotating reference frame as the flow travels through the rotating cover plate orifice, continues up the turbine disk into the slot bottom blade feed cavity, and terminates in the turbine blade. The present effort includes matching a 1D network model with 3D CFD results using simultaneous goal-matching of the pressure predictions throughout the circuit, defining test rig pressure measurements at critical “nondisturbing” locations for quanification of pressure ratio across the TOBI, and finally comparing the TOBI flow coefficient resulting from stationary cold flow tests with what was obtained from the 3D CFD results. An analysis of the results indicates that the discharge coefficient varies with the pressure ratio and that the traditional method of using a constant discharge coefficient extracted from a cold flow test run under choked conditions leads to overpredicting turbine cooling flows. The TOBI flow coefficient prediction for the present study compares well with the stationary data published by otherresearchers for the configuration under investigation and the process described in this paper is general for any TOBI configuration.

Author(s):  
A. V. MirzaMoghadam ◽  
A. Riahi ◽  
M. Morris

A TOBI (tangential on board injection) or preswirl system is a critical component of a high pressure turbine cooling delivery system. Its efficient performance and characterization are critical because the blade and disk life depend on the accuracy of delivering the required flow at the correct temperature and pressure. This paper presents a TOBI flow discharge coefficient validation process applied to a low radius radial configuration starting from a 1D network flow analysis to a 3D frozen rotor CFD analysis of the rotor cooling air delivery system. The analysis domain commences in the combustor plenum stationary reference frame, includes the TOBI, transitions to the rotating reference frame as the flow travels through the rotating cover plate orifice, continues up the turbine disk into the slot bottom blade feed cavity, and terminates in the turbine blade. The present effort includes matching a 1D network model with 3D CFD results using simultaneous goal-matching of pressure predictions throughout the circuit, defining test rig pressure measurements at critical “non-disturbing” locations for quanification of pressure ratio across the TOBI, and finally comparing the TOBI flow coefficient resulting from stationary cold flow tests with what was obtained from the 3D CFD results. Analysis of the results indicates that the discharge coefficient varies with pressure ratio and that the traditional method of using a constant discharge coefficient extracted from a cold flow test run under choked conditions leads to over-predicting turbine cooling flows. TOBI flow coefficient prediction for the present study compares well with the stationary data published by author researchers for the configuration under investigation, and the process described in this paper is general for any TOBI configuration.


Author(s):  
Brian R. Green ◽  
Randall M. Mathison ◽  
Michael G. Dunn

The effect of rotor purge flow on the unsteady aerodynamics of a high-pressure turbine stage operating at design corrected conditions has been investigated both experimentally and computationally. The experimental configuration consisted of a single-stage high-pressure turbine with a modern film-cooling configuration on the vane airfoil as well as the inner and outer end-wall surfaces. Purge flow was introduced into the cavity located between the high-pressure vane and the high-pressure disk. The high-pressure blades and the downstream low-pressure turbine nozzle row were not cooled. All hardware featured an aerodynamic design typical of a commercial high-pressure ratio turbine, and the flow path geometry was representative of the actual engine hardware. In addition to instrumentation in the main flow path, the stationary and rotating seals of the purge flow cavity were instrumented with high frequency response, flush-mounted pressure transducers and miniature thermocouples to measure flow field parameters above and below the angel wing. Predictions of the time-dependent flow field in the turbine flow path were obtained using FINE/Turbo, a three-dimensional, Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes CFD code that had the capability to perform both steady and unsteady analysis. The steady and unsteady flow fields throughout the turbine were predicted using a three blade-row computational model that incorporated the purge flow cavity between the high-pressure vane and disk. The predictions were performed in an effort to mimic the design process with no adjustment of boundary conditions to better match the experimental data. The time-accurate predictions were generated using the harmonic method. Part I of this paper concentrates on the comparison of the time-averaged and time-accurate predictions with measurements in and around the purge flow cavity. The degree of agreement between the measured and predicted parameters is described in detail, providing confidence in the predictions for flow field analysis that will be provided in Part II.


Author(s):  
Richard Celestina ◽  
Spencer Sperling ◽  
Louis Christensen ◽  
Randall Mathison ◽  
Hakan Aksoy ◽  
...  

Abstract This paper presents the development and implementation of a new generation of double-sided heat-flux gauges at The Ohio State University Gas Turbine Laboratory (GTL) along with heat transfer measurements for film-cooled airfoils in a single-stage high-pressure transonic turbine operating at design corrected conditions. Double-sided heat flux gauges are a critical part of turbine cooling studies, and the new generation improves upon the durability and stability of previous designs while also introducing high-density layouts that provide better spatial resolution. These new customizable high-density double-sided heat flux gauges allow for multiple heat transfer measurements in a small geometric area such as immediately downstream of a row of cooling holes on an airfoil. Two high-density designs are utilized: Type A consists of 9 gauges laid out within a 5 mm by 2.6 mm (0.20 inch by 0.10 inch) area on the pressure surface of an airfoil, and Type B consists of 7 gauges located at points of predicted interest on the suction surface. Both individual and high-density heat flux gauges are installed on the blades of a transonic turbine experiment for the second build of the High-Pressure Turbine Innovative Cooling program (HPTIC2). Run in a short duration facility, the single-stage high-pressure turbine operated at design-corrected conditions (matching corrected speed, flow function, and pressure ratio) with forward and aft purge flow and film-cooled blades. Gauges are placed at repeated locations across different cooling schemes in a rainbow rotor configuration. Airfoil film-cooling schemes include round, fan, and advanced shaped cooling holes in addition to uncooled airfoils. Both the pressure and suction surfaces of the airfoils are instrumented at multiple wetted distance locations and percent spans from roughly 10% to 90%. Results from these tests are presented as both time-average values and time-accurate ensemble averages in order to capture unsteady motion and heat transfer distribution created by strong secondary flows and cooling flows.


Author(s):  
Prasert Prapamonthon ◽  
Bo Yin ◽  
Guowei Yang ◽  
Mohan Zhang

Abstract To obtain high power and thermal efficiency, the 1st stage nozzle guide vanes of a high-pressure turbine need to operate under serious circumstances from burned gas coming out of combustors. This leads to vane suffering from effects of high thermal load, high pressure and turbulence, including flow-separated transition. Therefore, it is necessary to improve vane cooling performance under complex flow and heat transfer phenomena caused by the integration of these effects. In fact, these effects on a high-pressure turbine vane are controlled by several factors such as turbine inlet temperature, pressure ratio, turbulence intensity and length scale, vane curvature and surface roughness. Furthermore, if the vane is cooled by film cooling, hole configuration and blowing ratio are important factors too. These factors can change the aerothermal conditions of the vane operation. The present work aims to numerically predict sensitivity of cooling performances of the 1st stage nozzle guide vane under aerodynamic and thermal variations caused by three parameters i.e. pressure ratio, coolant inlet temperature and height of vane surface roughness using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) approach. Numerical results show that the coolant inlet temperature and the vane surface roughness parameters have significant effects on the vane temperature, thereby affecting the vane cooling performances significantly and sensitively.


Author(s):  
Harjit S. Hura ◽  
Scott Carson ◽  
Rob Saeidi ◽  
Hyoun-Woo Shin ◽  
Paul Giel

This paper describes the engine and rig design, and test results of an ultra-highly loaded single stage high pressure turbine. In service aviation single stage HPTs typically operate at a total-to-total pressure ratio of less than 4.0. At higher pressure ratios or energy extraction the nozzle and blade both have regions of supersonic flow and shock structures which, if not mitigated, can result in a large loss in efficiency both in the turbine itself and due to interaction with the downstream component which may be a turbine center frame or a low pressure turbine. Extending the viability of the single stage HPT to higher pressure ratios is attractive as it enables a compact engine with less weight, and lower initial and maintenance costs as compared to a two stage HPT. The present work was performed as part of the NASA UEET (Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology) program from 2002 through 2005. The goal of the program was to design and rig test a cooled single stage HPT with a pressure ratio of 5.5 with an efficiency at least two points higher than the state of the art. Preliminary design tools and a design of experiments approach were used to design the flow path. Stage loading and through-flow were set at appropriate levels based on prior experience on high pressure ratio single stage turbines. Appropriate choices of blade aspect ratio, count, and reaction were made based on comparison with similar HPT designs. A low shock blading design approach was used to minimize the shock strength in the blade during design iterations. CFD calculations were made to assess performance. The HPT aerodynamics and cooling design was replicated and tested in a high speed rig at design point and off-design conditions. The turbine met or exceeded the expected performance level based on both steady state and radial/circumferential traverse data. High frequency dynamic total pressure measurements were made to understand the presence of unsteadiness that persists in the exhaust of a transonic turbine.


2013 ◽  
Vol 136 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian R. Green ◽  
Randall M. Mathison ◽  
Michael G. Dunn

The detailed mechanisms of purge flow interaction with the hot-gas flow path were investigated using both unsteady computationally fluid dynamics (CFD) and measurements for a turbine operating at design corrected conditions. This turbine consisted of a single-stage high-pressure turbine and the downstream, low-pressure turbine nozzle row with an aerodynamic design equivalent to actual engine hardware and typical of a commercial, high-pressure ratio, transonic turbine. The high-pressure vane airfoils and inner and outer end walls incorporated state-of-the-art film cooling, and purge flow was introduced into the cavity located between the high-pressure vane and disk. The flow field above and below the blade angel wing was characterized by both temperature and pressure measurements. Predictions of the time-dependent flow field were obtained using a three-dimensional, Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes CFD code and a computational model incorporating the three blade rows and the purge flow cavity. The predictions were performed to evaluate the accuracy obtained by a design style application of the code, and no adjustment of boundary conditions was made to better match the experimental data. Part I of this paper compared the predictions to the measurements in and around the purge flow cavity and demonstrated good correlation. Part II of this paper concentrates on the analytical results, looking at the primary gas path ingestion mechanism into the cavity as well as the effects of the rotor purge on the upstream vane and downstream rotor aerodynamics and thermodynamics. Ingestion into the cavity is driven by high static pressure regions downstream of the vane, high-velocity flow coming off the pressure side of the vane, and the blade bow waves. The introduction of the purge flow is seen to have an effect on the static pressure of the vane trailing edge in the lower 5% of span. In addition, the purge flow is weak enough that upon exiting the cavity, it is swept into the mainstream flow and provides no additional cooling benefits on the platform of the rotating blade.


Author(s):  
Byungchan Lee ◽  
Dohoy Jung ◽  
Dennis Assanis ◽  
Zoran Filipi

Diesel engines are gaining in popularity, penetrating even the luxury and sports vehicle segments that have traditionally been strongly favored gasoline engines as the performance and refinement of diesel engines have improved significantly in recent years. The introduction of sophisticated technologies such as common rail injection (CRI), advanced boosting systems such as variable geometry and multi-stage turbocharging, and exhaust gas after-treatment systems have renewed the interest in Diesel engines. Among the technical advancements of diesel engines, the multi-stage turbocharging is the key to achieve such high power density that is suitable for the luxury and sports vehicle applications. Single-stage turbocharging is limited to roughly 2.5 bar of boost pressure. In order to raise the boost pressure up to levels of 4 bar or so, another turbocharger must be connected in series further multiplying the pressure ratio. The dual-stage turbocharging, however, adds system complexity, and the matching of two turbochargers becomes very costly if it is to be done experimentally. This study presents a simulation-based methodology for dual-stage turbocharger matching through an iterative procedure predicting optimal configurations of compressors and turbines. A physics-based zero-dimensional Diesel engine system simulation with a dual-stage turbocharger is implemented in SIMULINK environment, allowing easy evaluation of different configurations and subsequent analysis of engine system performance. The simulation program is augmented with a turbocharger matching program and a turbomachinery scaling routine. The configurations considered in the study include a dual-stage turbocharging system with a bypass valve added to the high pressure turbine, and a system with a wastegate valve added to a low-pressure turbine. The systematic simulation study allows detailed analysis of the impact of each of the configurations on matching, boost characteristics and transient response. The configuration with the bypass valve across high pressure turbine showed better results in terms of both steady state engine torque and transient behavior.


2013 ◽  
Vol 136 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul F. Beard ◽  
Andy D. Smith ◽  
Thomas Povey

This paper presents an experimental and computational study of the effect of inlet swirl on the efficiency of a transonic turbine stage. The efficiency penalty is approximately 1%, but it is argued that this could be recovered by correct design. There are attendant changes in capacity, work function, and stage total-to-total pressure ratio, which are discussed in detail. Experiments were performed using the unshrouded MT1 high-pressure turbine installed in the Oxford Turbine Research Facility (OTRF) (formerly at QinetiQ Farnborough): an engine scale, short duration, rotating transonic facility, in which M, Re, Tgas/Twall, and N/T01 are matched to engine conditions. The research was conducted under the EU Turbine Aero-Thermal External Flows (TATEF II) program. Turbine efficiency was experimentally determined to within bias and precision uncertainties of approximately ±1.4% and ±0.2%, respectively, to 95% confidence. The stage mass flow rate was metered upstream of the turbine nozzle, and the turbine power was measured directly using an accurate strain-gauge based torque measurement system. The turbine efficiency was measured experimentally for a condition with uniform inlet flow and a condition with pronounced inlet swirl. Full stage computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was performed using the Rolls-Royce Hydra solver. Steady and unsteady solutions were conducted for both the uniform inlet baseline case and a case with inlet swirl. The simulations are largely in agreement with the experimental results. A discussion of discrepancies is given.


Author(s):  
Brian D. Keith ◽  
Dipan K. Basu ◽  
Charles Stevens

The Controlled Pressure Ratio Engine (COPE) is a fourth generation variable cycle engine combining the attributes of a high temperature turbojet (high dry specific thrust and low Max power SFC) with those of a turbofan (low specific thrust and low part power SFC). Variation in turbine flow function is achieved by the Controlled Area Turbine (CAT) Nozzle concept, which utilizes an innovative cam driven scheme to achieve desired flow function changes while minimizing loss in aerodynamic performance. The single stage high pressure turbine is coupled with a two stage vaneless counter-rotating low pressure turbine. The COPE Turbine System Aero/Heat Transfer Design Validation Program, jointly conducted by GE Aircraft Engines and Allison Advanced Development Company under the direction of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, has succeeded in demonstrating advanced turbine technologies that will be utilized on the XTE76, XTE77, and Joint Strike Fighter engines. The various phases of this program evaluated variable area nozzle performance, high pressure turbine performance under the influence of varying flow function, and dual spool testing of the vaneless, counter-rotating low pressure turbine. Evaluation of the three phases demonstrated the aerodynamic capability of these turbine technologies, meeting pre-test predictions in overall and component efficiencies.


Author(s):  
Rodrigo R. Erdmenger ◽  
Vittorio Michelassi

The impact of leading edge sweep in an attempt to reduce shock losses and extend the stall margin on axial compressors has been extensively studied, however only a few studies have looked at understanding the impact of leading edge contouring on the performance of centrifugal compressors. The present work studies the impact of forward and aft sweep on the main and splitter blade leading edge of a generic high flow coefficient and high pressure ratio centrifugal compressor design and the impact on its overall peak efficiency, pressure ratio and operating range. The usage of aft sweep on the main blade led to an increase of the pressure ratio and efficiency, however it also led to a reduction of the stable operating range of the impeller analyzed. The forward sweep cases analyzed where the tip leading edge was displaced axially forward showed a slight increase in pressure ratio, and a significant increase on operating range. The impact of leading edge sweep on the sensitivity of the impeller performance to tip clearance was also studied. The impeller efficiency was found to be less sensitive to an increase of tip clearance for both aft and forward sweep cases studied. The forward sweep cases studied also showed a reduced sensitivity from operating range to tip clearance. The studies conducted on the splitter leading edge profile indicate that aft sweep may help to increase the operating range of the impeller analyzed by up to 16% while maintaining similar pressure ratio and efficiency characteristics of the impeller. The improvement of operating range obtained with the leading edge forward sweep and splitter aft sweep was caused by a reduction of the interaction of the tip vortex of the main blade with the splitter tip, and a reduction of the blockage caused by this interaction.


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