Investigation of the Performance of Turbulence Models With Respect to High Flow Curvature in Centrifugal Compressors

2015 ◽  
Vol 138 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shady Ali ◽  
Kevin J. Elliott ◽  
Eric Savory ◽  
Chao Zhang ◽  
Robert J. Martinuzzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Reynolds Stress Model ◽  
Field Analysis ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Production Term ◽  
Curvature Effects ◽  
Sst Model ◽  
Aero Engine ◽  
Compressor Impeller

The goal of this research is to evaluate the performance of three turbulence models with respect to flow with high curvature in a centrifugal compressor stage designed for an aero-engine. The effectiveness of the curvature correction terms in the two-equation turbulence models is the main focus of this study, as implemented in the curvature-corrected shear stress transport (SST-CC) model of Smirnov and Menter. The SST-CC model uses a production multiplier in the k and ω equations. SST-CC results were compared against the SST model and previous simulations by Bourgeois et al. (2011, “Assessment of Turbulence Model Predictions for an Aero-Engine Centrifugal Compressor,” ASME J. Turbomach., 133(1), pp. 1–15) using the Reynolds stress model (RSM–SSG) for stage performance characteristics, experimental velocity profiles at the impeller–diffuser interface, and velocity contours at the diffuser exit. The production multiplier was investigated in the compressor impeller. The comparisons showed that the SST-CC model better predicted the choke region in the pressure characteristic and efficiency characteristic, whereas the SST model better predicted the stall region. However, both models predicted a similar mean flow velocity field. Analysis of the production multiplier demonstrated that the term provided the expected effects near the walls of the convex and concave surfaces. However, away from the walls where turbulent production term was insignificant, the production multiplier showed abnormal predictions. The rotation effects were found to be weaker than the curvature effects near the impeller trailing edge of the current compressor.

Assessment of Turbulence Model Predictions for an Aero-Engine Centrifugal Compressor

2010 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason A. Bourgeois ◽  
Robert J. Martinuzzi ◽  
Eric Savory ◽  
Chao Zhang ◽  
Douglas A. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Turbulence Modeling ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Flow Fields ◽  
Reynolds Stress Model ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Tip Clearance Flow ◽  
Sst Model

The accurate prediction of mean flow fields with high degrees of curvature, adverse pressure gradients, and three-dimensional turbulent boundary layers typically present in centrifugal compressor stages is a significant challenge when applying Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes turbulence modeling techniques. The current study compares the steady-state mixing plane predictions using four turbulence models for a centrifugal compressor stage with a tandem impeller and a “fish-tail” style discrete passage diffuser. The models analyzed are the k-ε model (an industry standard for many years), the shear stress transport (SST) model, a proposed modification to the SST model denoted as the SST-reattachment modification (RM), and the Speziale, Sarkar, and Gatski Reynolds stress model (RSM-SSG). Comparisons with measured performance parameters—the stage total-to-static pressure and total-to-total temperature ratios—indicate more accurate performance predictions from the RSM-SSG and SST models as compared to the k-ε and SST-RM models. Details of the different predicted flow fields are presented. Estimates of blockage, aerodynamic slip factor, and impeller exit velocity profiles indicate significant physical differences in the predictions at the impeller-diffuser interface. Topological flow field differences are observed: the separated tip clearance flow is found to reattach with the SST, SST-RM, and RSM-SSG models, while it does not with the k-ε model, a larger shroud separation at the impeller exit seen with the SST and SST-RM models, and core flow differences are in the complex curved diffuser geometry. The results are discussed in terms of the production and dissipation of k predicted by the various models due to their intrinsic modeling assumptions. These comparisons will assist aerodynamic designers in choosing appropriate turbulence models, and may benefit future modeling research.

Improved Prediction of Turbomachinery Flows Using Near-Wall Reynolds-Stress Model

2001 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Gerolymos ◽  
J. Neubauer ◽  
V. C. Sharma ◽  
I. Vallet
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Turbulent Flows ◽  
Reynolds Stress ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Reynolds Stress Model ◽  
Stress Model ◽  
Reynolds Stresses ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Flow Equations ◽  
Near Wall

In this paper an assessment of the improvement in the prediction of complex turbomachinery flows using a new near-wall Reynolds-stress model is attempted. The turbulence closure used is a near-wall low-turbulence-Reynolds-number Reynolds-stress model, that is independent of the distance-from-the-wall and of the normal-to-the-wall direction. The model takes into account the Coriolis redistribution effect on the Reynolds-stresses. The five mean flow equations and the seven turbulence model equations are solved using an implicit coupled OΔx3 upwind-biased solver. Results are compared with experimental data for three turbomachinery configurations: the NTUA high subsonic annular cascade, the NASA_37 rotor, and the RWTH 1 1/2 stage turbine. A detailed analysis of the flowfield is given. It is seen that the new model that takes into account the Reynolds-stress anisotropy substantially improves the agreement with experimental data, particularily for flows with large separation, while being only 30 percent more expensive than the k−ε model (thanks to an efficient implicit implementation). It is believed that further work on advanced turbulence models will substantially enhance the predictive capability of complex turbulent flows in turbomachinery.

Modeling a Discrete Interaction Jets/Wall Flow. Effect of Curvature

2011 ◽  
Vol 274 ◽  
pp. 71-80
Author(s):  
Amar Berkache ◽  
Rabah Dizene
Keyword(s):  
Flat Plate ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Curvature Effects ◽  
Wall Boundary Layer ◽  
Sst Model ◽  
Wall Flow ◽  
Discrete Interaction ◽  
Wall Interaction

A numerical simulation is used to evaluate the curvature effects of the wall on features of the interaction between discrete jets and cross flow, and therefore on the efficiency of the cooling. The injection is realized in a turbulent limit layer through only one row of openings. Our study was especially based on the SST model that is efficient in the capture of the phenomena near and in the wall. Three turbulence models are used; the k-, the RSM and the SST on a flat plate crossed by throw in order to identify which of these models are more capable to capture the near wall interaction phenomena. Discrete jets are arranged across a surface exposed to a wall boundary layer of parallel compressible stream, as occurs in certain discrete-hole cooling systems for turbine blades. Comparisons of the results of this study are presented in the case of a flat plate crossed by throw inclined of 45° with a rate injection Ra=0.6. These results compared to experimental data proved the aptitude of the SST model, in relation to the other models in this case of problems. Applied for a NACA0012 profile, this model (SST) revealed us the distinct difference of features of the interaction in relation to the flat plate.

Performance Assessment of Turbulence Models for the Quantitative Prediction of Tip Leakage Flow in Turbomachines

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gong Hee Lee ◽  
Jong Il Park ◽  
Je Hyun Baek
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Data ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Reynolds Stress Model ◽  
Quantitative Prediction ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Compressor Cascade ◽  
Tip Leakage Flow ◽  
Production Term ◽  
Tip Leakage

It is experimentally well-known that high anisotropy of turbulent flow field, which results from the complex shear and rotation effect, is dominant inside tip leakage vortex (TLV). With all this fact, the greater part of the numerical studies to deal with TLV have used an isotropic eddy viscosity model (EVM), and their predictions showed some disagreement with the measurement data. The main objective of the present study is to show the superior ability of the Reynolds stress model (RSM), which can naturally consider the effect of system rotation on turbulence via the rotational production term, over the isotropic EVM for predicting appropriately the complex tip leakage flow in axial type of turbomachines. To achieve this aim, the results obtained from steady-state Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes simulations based on the Spalart-Allmaras model, Renormalization Group (RNG) k-ε model and RSM are compared with the experimental data for two test configurations: a linear compressor cascade and a forward-swept axial-flow fan. This comparative study of turbulence models suggests that the RSM should be used to predict reasonably the complex tip leakage flow, especially in a rotating environment.

scholarly journals Analysis of Separated Flows Inside an Annular Compressor Cascade Using a Low-Re-Number k-ϵ and an Algebraic Reynolds-Stress-Model

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürgen R. Lücke ◽  
Heinz E. Gallus
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Reynolds Stress ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Separated Flow ◽  
Reynolds Stress Model ◽  
Stress Model ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Compressor Cascade ◽  
Production Term ◽  
Algebraic Reynolds Stress Model

The flow field inside an annular compressor cascade is numerically investigated. The mean flow features are complex three-dimensional zones of turbulent separation at hub and shroud at high inflow angles. The flow field is investigated with an implicit three-dimensional Navier-Stokes code. To predict turbulent effects the flow solver includes two different variants of a Low-Re-number k-ϵ-model and an algebraic Reynolds-stress-model. Using the Low-Re-number model the structure of the regions of separated flow are fairly well predicted. However, intensity and size of these zones are too small compared with the experimental data. Better results are produced using the anisotropic algebraic Reynolds-stress-model combined with a stagnation point modification of the turbulent production term. Stucture and intensity of the vortex systems are simulated in more detail. Static pressure distributions and loss contours are in a very good agreement with the experiments.

Robust Implicit Multigrid Reynolds-Stress Model Computation of 3-D Turbomachinery Flows

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Gerolymos ◽  
I. Vallet
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Stress ◽  
Time Integration ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Reynolds Stress Model ◽  
Finite Volume Scheme ◽  
Stress Model ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Approximate Factorization ◽  
Flow Equations

The purpose of this paper is to present a numerical methodology for the computation of complex 3-D turbomachinery flows using advanced multiequation turbulence closures, including full 7-equation Reynolds-stress transport models. A general frame-work describing the turbulence models and possible future improvements is presented. The flow equations are discretized on structured multiblock grids, using an upwind biased (O[Δx3] MUSCL reconstruction) finite-volume scheme. Time-integration uses a local-dual-time-stepping implicit procedure, with internal subiterations. Computational efficiency is achieved by a specific approximate factorization of the implicit subiterations, designed to minimize the computational cost of the turbulence-transport-equations. Convergence is still accelerated using a mean-flow-multigrid full-approximation-scheme method, where multigrid is applied on the mean-flow-variables only. Speed-ups of a factor 3 are obtained using 3 levels of multigrid (fine + 2 coarser grids). Computational examples are presented using several Reynolds-stress model variants (and also a baseline k–ε model), for various turbomachinery configurations, and compared with available experimental measurements.

Flow Analysis of a High Flowrate Centrifugal Compressor Stage and Comparison With Test Rig Data

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Weber ◽  
Christian Morsbach ◽  
Edmund Kügeler ◽  
Christoph Rube ◽  
Matthias Wedeking
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Reynolds Stress Model ◽  
Stress Model ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Total Pressure Ratio

The flow field inside a single-stage centrifugal compressor characterized by a high flowrate of Φ = 0.15 and a design total pressure ratio of approximately 1.4 is analysed numerically. The stage geometry consists of a radially oriented inlet duct with uniform inflow without swirl, a 90 deg inlet bend in front of the impeller, the shrouded impeller itself followed by a large radial vaneless diffuser, a 180 deg U-turn, a radially oriented turning vane, a subsequent 90 deg bend, and as the last item a long axial exit duct. The impeller blades have large fillets at hub and tip and thick blunt trailing edges. Due to the rotating shroud, a labyrinth seal is placed above the impeller with 5 seal tips. The complete leakage region is also included in the CFD analysis. The blade numbers for the impeller and vane are 15 and 14, respectively. The test rig has recently been built at the Institute of Propulsion and Turbomachinery at RWTH Aachen University (Germany). The first part of the CFD work presented was carried out before the first experimental data were available. Using the k-ω turbulence model of Wilcox (1988), a number of principal steady RANS calculations were performed to investigate the following: Impact of near wall grid resolution and turbulence model wall boundary condition treatment, impact of impeller fillets, and the influence of leakage flow. This part is completed by a comparison of steady RANS simulations with the time-mean results of unsteady RANS analyses of one blade passage. For the calculations presented in the second part, experimental data are available at the inflow and outflow planes. At these planes overall mean values were deduced. Additionally, 3- and 5-hole probe data are available at spanwise traverse planes located at the zenith of the U-turn and in the exit plane. For part two a finer grid with y+ values of approximately unity for all solid walls was used. In addition to the Wilcox k-ω model and the Menter SST k-ω model, two higher level turbulence models — the explicit algebraic Reynolds stress model Hellsten EARSM k-ω and the differential Reynolds stress model SSG/LRR-ω — have been tested and compared with the experiments. The agreement in terms of overall performance (total pressure ratio, isentropic efficiency) is satisfactory for all turbulence models used, but there are some differences: the k-ω model is shown to be the most stable one towards stall. On the other hand, it is shown that details of the flow field in terms of the two spanwise traverses can be better represented by the more advanced turbulence models. All CFD simulations have been performed at 100% shaft speed.

Aerodynamic Comparison and Validation of RANS, URANS and SAS Simulations of Flat Plate Film-Cooling

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Voigt ◽  
Berthold Noll ◽  
Manfred Aigner
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Reynolds Stress ◽  
Film Cooling ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Reynolds Stress Model ◽  
Stress Model ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Commercial Code ◽  
Sst Model ◽  
Rans Models

The present paper deals with the detailed numerical simulation of film cooling including conjugate heat transfer. Five different turbulence models are used to simulate a film cooling configuration. The models include three steady and two unsteady models. The steady RANS models are the Shear stress transport (SST) model of Menter, the Reynolds stress model of Speziale, Sarkar and Gatski and a k-ε explicit algebraic Reynolds stress model. The unsteady models are a URANS formulation of the SST model and a scale-adaptive simulation (SAS). The solver used in this study is the commercial code ANSYS CFX 11.0. The results are compared to available experimental data. These data include velocity and turbulence intensity fields in several planes. It is shown that the steady RANS approach has difficulties with predicting the flow field due to the high 3-dimensional unsteadiness. The URANS and SAS simulations on the other hand show good agreement with the experimental data. The deviation from the experimental data in velocity values in the steady cases is about 20% whereas the error in the unsteady cases is below 10%.

scholarly journals The Development of the Mean Flow and Turbulence Structure in an Annular S-Shaped Duct

1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Britchford ◽  
J. F. Carrotte ◽  
S. J. Stevens ◽  
J. J. McGuirk
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Stress ◽  
Laser Doppler Anemometry ◽  
Reynolds Shear Stress ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Turbulence Structure ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Curvature Effects ◽  
The Mean

This paper describes an investigation of the mean and fluctuating flow field within an annular S-shaped duct which is representative of that used to connect the compressor spools of aircraft gas turbine engines. Data was obtained from a fully annular test facility using a 3-component Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA) system. The measurements indicate that development of the flow within the duct is complex and significantly influenced by the combined effects of streamwise pressure gradients and flow curvature. In addition CFD predictions of the flow, using both the k-ε and Reynolds stress transport equation turbulence models, are compared with the experimental data. Whereas curvature effects are not described properly by the k-ε model, such effects are captured more accurately by the Reynolds stress model leading to a better prediction of the Reynolds shear stress distribution. This, in turn, leads to a more accurate prediction of the mean velocity profiles, as reflected by the boundary layer shape parameters, particularly in the critical regions of the duct where flow separation is most likely to occur.

Measurements and Predictions of a Highly Turbulent Flowfield in a Turbine Vane Passage

2000 ◽  
Vol 122 (4) ◽  
pp. 666-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Radomsky ◽  
K. A. Thole
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Turbulent Flow ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Turbulent Kinetic Energy ◽  
Reynolds Stress ◽  
Complex Geometry ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Reynolds Stress Model ◽  
Stress Model ◽  
Mean Flow

As highly turbulent flow passes through downstream airfoil passages in a gas turbine engine, it is subjected to a complex geometry designed to accelerate and turn the flow. This acceleration and streamline curvature subject the turbulent flow to high mean flow strains. This paper presents both experimental measurements and computational predictions for highly turbulent flow as it progresses through a passage of a gas turbine stator vane. Three-component velocity fields at the vane midspan were measured for inlet turbulence levels of 0.6%, 10%, and 19.5%. The turbulent kinetic energy increased through the passage by 130% for the 10% inlet turbulence and, because the dissipation rate was higher for the 19.5% inlet turbulence, the turbulent kinetic energy increased by only 31%. With a mean flow acceleration of five through the passage, the exiting local turbulence levels were 3% and 6% for the respective 10% and 19.5% inlet turbulence levels. Computational RANS predictions were compared with the measurements using four different turbulence models including the k-ε, Renormalization Group (RNG) k-ε, realizable k-ε, and Reynolds stress model. The results indicate that the predictions using the Reynolds stress model most closely agreed with the measurements as compared with the other turbulence models with better agreement for the 10% case than the 19.5% case. [S0098-2202(00)00804-X]

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