Comparison of Pin Surface Heat Transfer in Arrays of Oblong and Cylindrical Pin Fins

2013 ◽  
Vol 136 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn L. Kirsch ◽  
Jason K. Ostanek ◽  
Karen A. Thole

Pin fin arrays are most commonly used to promote convective cooling within the internal passages of gas turbine airfoils. Contributing to the heat transfer are the surfaces of the channel walls as well as the pin itself. Generally the pin fin cross section is circular; however, certain applications benefit from using other shapes such as oblong pin fins. The current study focuses on characterizing the heat transfer distribution on the surface of oblong pin fins with a particular focus on pin spacing effects. Comparisons were made with circular cylindrical pin fins, where both oblong and circular cylindrical pins had a height-to-diameter ratio of unity, with both streamwise and spanwise spacing varying between two and three diameters. To determine the effect of relative pin placement, measurements were taken in the first of a single row and in the third row of a multirow array. Results showed that area-averaged heat transfer on the pin surface was between 30 and 35% lower for oblong pins in comparison to cylindrical. While heat transfer on the circular cylindrical pin experienced one minimum prior to boundary layer separation, heat transfer on the oblong pin fins experienced two minimums, where one is located before the boundary layer transitions to a turbulent boundary layer and the other prior to separation at the trailing edge.

Author(s):  
Kathryn L. Kirsch ◽  
Jason K. Ostanek ◽  
Karen A. Thole

Pin fin arrays are most commonly used to promote convective cooling within the internal passages of gas turbine airfoils. Contributing to the heat transfer are the surfaces of the channel walls as well as the pin itself. Generally the pin fin cross-section is circular; however, certain applications benefit from using other shapes such as oblong pin fins. The current study focuses on characterizing the heat transfer distribution on the surface of oblong pin fins with a particular focus on pin spacing effects. Comparisons were made with circular cylindrical pin fins, where both oblong and circular cylindrical pins had a height-to-diameter ratio of unity, with both streamwise and spanwise spacing varying between two and three diameters. To determine the effect of relative pin placement, measurements were taken in the first of a single row and in the third row of a multi-row array. Results showed that area-averaged heat transfer on the pin surface was between 30 and 35 percent lower for oblong pins in comparison to cylindrical. While heat transfer on the circular cylindrical pin experienced one minimum prior to boundary layer separation, heat transfer on the oblong pin-fins experienced two minimums, where one is located before the boundary layer transitions to a turbulent boundary layer and the other prior to separation at the trailing edge.


Author(s):  
Kathryn L. Kirsch ◽  
Karen A. Thole

Pin fin arrays are employed as an effective means for heat transfer enhancement in the internal passages of a gas turbine blade, specifically in the blade’s trailing edge. Various shapes of the pin itself have been used in such arrays. In this study, oblong pin fins are investigated whereby their long axis is perpendicular to the flow direction. Heat transfer measurements were taken at the pin mid-span with unheated endwalls to isolate the pin heat transfer. Results show important differences in the heat transfer patterns between a pin in the first row and a pin in the third row. In the third row, wider spanwise spacing allows for two peaks in heat transfer over the pin surface. Additionally, closer streamwise spacing leads to consistently higher heat transfer for the same spanwise spacing. Due to the blunt orientation of the pins, the peak in heat transfer occurs off the stagnation point.


2017 ◽  
Vol 140 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine K. Ferster ◽  
Kathryn L. Kirsch ◽  
Karen A. Thole

The demand for higher efficiency is ever present in the gas turbine field and can be achieved through many different approaches. While additively manufactured parts have only recently been introduced into the hot section of a gas turbine engine, the manufacturing technology shows promise for more widespread implementation since the process allows a designer to push the limits on capabilities of traditional machining and potentially impact turbine efficiencies. Pin fins are conventionally used in turbine airfoils to remove heat from locations in which high thermal and mechanical stresses are present. This study employs the benefits of additive manufacturing to make uniquely shaped pin fins, with the goal of increased performance over conventional cylindrical pin fin arrays. Triangular, star, and spherical shaped pin fins placed in microchannel test coupons were manufactured using direct metal laser sintering (DMLS). These coupons were experimentally investigated for pressure loss and heat transfer at a range of Reynolds numbers. Spacing, number of pin fins in the array, and pin fin geometry were variables that changed pressure loss and heat transfer in this study. Results indicate that the additively manufactured triangles and cylinders outperform conventional pin fin arrays, while stars and dimpled spheres did not.


Author(s):  
Katharine K. Ferster ◽  
Kathryn L. Kirsch ◽  
Karen A. Thole

The demand for higher efficiency is ever-present in the gas turbine field and can be achieved through many different approaches. While additively manufactured parts have only recently been introduced into the hot section of a gas turbine engine, the manufacturing technology shows promise for more widespread implementation since the process allows a designer to push the limits on capabilities of traditional machining and potentially impact turbine efficiencies. Pin fins are conventionally used in turbine airfoils to remove heat from locations in which high thermal and mechanical stresses are present. This study employs the benefits of additive manufacturing to make uniquely shaped pin fins, with the goal of increased performance over conventional cylindrical pin fin arrays. Triangular, star, and spherical shaped pin fins placed in microchannel test coupons were manufactured using Direct Metal Laser Sintering. These coupons were experimentally investigated for pressure loss and heat transfer at a range of Reynolds numbers. Spacing, number of pin fins in the array, and pin fin geometry were variables that changed pressure loss and heat transfer in this study. Results indicate that the additively manufactured triangles and cylinders outperform conventional pin fin arrays, while stars and dimpled spheres did not.


2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn L. Kirsch ◽  
Karen A. Thole

Pin fin arrays are employed as an effective means for heat transfer enhancement in the internal passages of a gas turbine blade, specifically in the blade's trailing edge. Various shapes of the pin itself have been used in such arrays. In this study, oblong pin fins are investigated whereby their long axis is perpendicular to the flow direction. Heat transfer measurements were taken at the pin midspan with unheated endwalls to isolate the pin heat transfer. Results show important differences in the heat transfer patterns between a pin in the first row and a pin in the third row. In the third row, wider spanwise spacing allows for two peaks in heat transfer over the pin surface. Additionally, closer streamwise spacing leads to consistently higher heat transfer for the same spanwise spacing. Due to the blunt orientation of the pins, the peak in heat transfer occurs off the stagnation point.


Author(s):  
Jason K. Ostanek ◽  
Karen A. Thole

Pin-fin arrays are commonly used as compact heat exchangers for cooling the trailing edge of gas turbine airfoils. While much research has been devoted to the heat transfer characteristics of various pin-fin configurations, little work has been done to investigate the flowfield in pin-fin arrays. Such information may allow for further optimization of pin-fin configurations. A new pin-fin facility at large scale has been constructed to allow optical access for the use of non-intrusive measurement techniques such as laser Doppler velocimetry and time-resolved, digital particle image velocimetry. Using these techniques, the flow through a single row of pin-fins having a height-to-diameter ratio of 2 and span-to-diameter ratio of 2.5 was investigated. Results show that the length of the wake region decreases with increasing Reynolds number. At higher Reynolds numbers, Ka´rma´n vortices developed closer to the pin-fins than for single, infinitely long cylinders. Transverse fluctuations correlated well with endwall heat transfer indicating that the Ka´rma´n vortices play a key role in energy transport.


2012 ◽  
Vol 134 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason K. Ostanek ◽  
Karen A. Thole

Pin-fin arrays are commonly used as compact heat exchangers for cooling the trailing edge of gas turbine airfoils. While much research has been devoted to the heat transfer characteristics of various pin-fin configurations, little work has been done to investigate the flowfield in pin-fin arrays. Such information may allow for further optimization of pin-fin configurations. A new pin-fin facility at large scale has been constructed to allow optical access for the use of nonintrusive measurement techniques such as laser Doppler velocimetry and time-resolved, digital particle image velocimetry. Using these techniques, the flow through a single row of pin fins having a height-to-diameter ratio of 2 and span-to-diameter ratio of 2.5 was investigated. Results showed that the length of the wake region decreased with increasing Reynolds number. At higher Reynolds numbers, Kármán vortices developed closer to the pin fins than for single, infinitely long cylinders. Transverse fluctuations correlated well with endwall heat transfer indicating that the Kármán vortices play a key role in energy transport.


Author(s):  
Kathryn L. Kirsch ◽  
Jason K. Ostanek ◽  
Karen A. Thole ◽  
Eleanor Kaufman

Arrays of variably-spaced pin fins are used as a conventional means to conduct and convect heat from internal turbine surfaces. The most common pin shape for this purpose is a circular cylinder. Literature has shown that beyond the first few rows of pin fins, the heat transfer augmentation in the array levels off and slightly decreases. This paper provides experimental results from two studies seeking to understand the effects of gaps in pin spacing (row removals) and alternative pin geometries placed in these gaps. The alternative pin geometries included large cylindrical pins and oblong pins with different aspect ratios. Results from the row removal study at high Reynolds number showed that when rows four through eight were removed, the flow returned to a fully-developed channel flow in the gap between pin rows. When larger alternative geometries replaced the fourth row, heat transfer increased further downstream into the array.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 2545-2565
Author(s):  
Safeer Hussain ◽  
Jian Liu ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
Bengt Ake Sunden

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to enhance the heat transfer and thermal performance in the trailing edge region of the vane with vortex generators (VGs). Design/methodology/approach This numerical study presents the enhancement of thermal performance in the trailing part of a gas turbine blade. In the trailing part, generally, pin fins are used either in staggered or in-line arrangements to enhance the heat transfer. In this study, based on the idea from heat exchangers, pin fins are combined with VGs. A pair of VGs is embedded in the boundary layer upstream of each pin fin in the first row of the pin fin array having an in-line configuration. The effects of the VG angle relative to the streamwise direction and streamwise distance between the pin fin and VGs are investigated at various Reynolds numbers. Findings The results indicated that the endwall heat transfer is enhanced with the addition of VGs and the heat transfer from the surfaces of the pin fins. The level of heat transfer enhancement compared to the case without VGs is more significant at high Reynolds number. The surfaces of the VGs also show a significant amount of heat transfer. Study of the angle of the attack suggested that a high angle of attack is more appropriate for pin fin cooling enhancement whereas an intermediate gap between the VGs and pin fins shows considerable improvement of thermal performance compared to the small and large gaps. The phenomenon of heat transfer augmentation with the VGs is demonstrated by the flow field. It shows that the enhancement of heat transfer is governed by the mixing of the flow as a result of the interaction of vortices generated by the VGs and pin fins. Originality/value VGs are used to disturb the thermal boundary layer. It shows that heat transfer is augmented as a result of the interaction of vortices associated with VGs and pin fins.


Author(s):  
Hao-Wei Wu ◽  
Hootan Zirakzadeh ◽  
Je-Chin Han ◽  
Luzeng Zhang ◽  
Hee-Koo Moon

A three-passage internal cooling test model with a 180° U-bend at the hub turn portion was used to perform the investigation. The flow is radially inward at the second passage, while it is radially outward at the third passage after the U-bend. Measurement was conducted at the second and the third passages. Aspect ratio of the second passage is 2:1 (AR=2), while the third passage is wedge-shaped with side wall slot ejections. The squared ribs with P/e = 8, e/Dh = 0.1, α = 45°, were configured on both leading and trailing surfaces along the second passage, and also the inner half of the third passage. Three rows of cylinder-shaped pin-fins with diameter of 3 mm were placed at both leading and trailing surfaces of the outer half of the third passage. The results showed that the rotating effects on radial inward flow and radial outward flow are consistent with previous studies. When there is no turning vane, heat transfer on the leading surface at hub turn region is increased by rotation, while it is decreased on the trailing surface. The presence of turning vane reduces the effect of rotation on hub turn portion. Ejection and pin-fin array enhance heat transfer at the third passage. Even though there is mass loss of cooling air along the third passage with side wall slot ejection, the heat transfer coefficient remains high until the end of the passage. Correlation between regional heat transfer coefficients and rotation numbers is presented for both cases of with and without turning vane.


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