The Effects of Unsteadiness and Compressibility on the Interaction Between Hub Leakage and Mainstream Flows in HP Turbines

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Popovic´ ◽  
H. P. Hodson ◽  
E. Janke ◽  
T. Wolf
Keyword(s):  
Mach Number ◽  
Relative Motion ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Linear Cascade ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Present Test ◽  
Blade Row ◽  
Time Average ◽  
Unsteady Effects

This paper investigates the effects of compressibility and unsteadiness due to the relative blade row motion and their importance in the interaction between hub leakage (purge) and mainstream flows. First, the challenges associated with the blade redesign for low-speed testing are described. The effects of Mach number are then addressed by analyzing the experiments in the low-speed linear cascade equipped with the secondary airflow system and computations performed on the low- and high-speed blade profiles. These results indicate that the compressibility does not significantly affect the interaction between the leakage and mainstream flows despite a number of compromises made during the design of the low-speed blade. This was due to the fact that the leakage-mainstream interaction takes place upstream of the blade throat where the local Mach numbers are still relatively low. The analysis is then extended to the equivalent full-stage unsteady computations. The periodic unsteadiness resulting from the relative motion of the upstream vanes appreciably affected the way in which the leakage flow is injected and the rotor flowfield in general. However, the time-average flowfield was still found to be dominated by the rotor blade’s potential field. For the present test arrangement, the unsteady effects were not very detrimental, and caused less than a 10% increase in the losses due to the leakage injection relative to the steady calculations.

The Effects of Unsteadiness and Compressibility on the Interaction Between Hub Leakage and Mainstream Flows in High-Pressure Turbines

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Popović ◽  
Howard P. Hodson ◽  
Erik Janke ◽  
Torsten Wolf
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Average Flow ◽  
Linear Cascade ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Present Test ◽  
Blade Row ◽  
Time Average ◽  
Unsteady Effects

This paper investigates the effects of compressibility and unsteadiness due to the relative blade row motion and their importance in the interaction between hub leakage (purge) and mainstream flows. First, the challenges associated with the blade redesign for low-speed testing are described. The effects of Mach number are then addressed by analyzing the experiments in the low-speed linear cascade equipped with the secondary airflow system and computations performed on the low- and high-speed blade profiles. These results indicate that the compressibility does not significantly affect the interaction between the leakage and mainstream flows despite a number of compromises made during the design of the low-speed blade. This was due to the fact that the leakage–mainstream interaction takes place upstream of the blade throat where the local Mach numbers are still relatively low. The analysis is then extended to the equivalent full-stage unsteady computations. The periodic unsteadiness resulting from the relative motion of the upstream vanes appreciably affected the way in which the leakage flow is injected and the rotor flow field in general. However, the time-average flow field was still found to be dominated by the rotor blade's potential field. For the present test arrangement, the unsteady effects were not very detrimental and caused less than a 10% increase in the losses due to the leakage injection relative to the steady calculations.

Separation and Transition Control on an Aft-Loaded Ultra-High-Lift LP Turbine Blade at Low Reynolds Numbers: High-Speed Validation

2006 ◽  
Vol 129 (2) ◽  
pp. 340-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Vera ◽  
Xue Feng Zhang ◽  
Howard Hodson ◽  
Neil Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Mach Number ◽  
Surface Finish ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Low Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Transition Mechanism ◽  
Low Reynolds

This paper presents the second part of an investigation of the combined effects of unsteadiness and surface roughness on an aft-loaded ultra-high-lift low-pressure turbine (LPT) profile at low Reynolds numbers. The investigation has been performed using low- and high-speed cascade facilities. The low- and high-speed profiles have been designed to have the same normalized isentropic Mach number distribution. The low-speed results have been presented in the first part (Zhang, Vera, Hodson, and Harvey, 2006, ASME J. Turbomach., 128, pp. 517–527). The current paper examines the effect of different surface finishes on an aft-loaded ultra-high-lift LPT profile at Mach and Reynolds numbers representative of LPT engine conditions. The surface roughness values are presented along with the profile losses under steady and unsteady inflow conditions. The results show that the use of a rough surface finish can be used to reduce the profile loss. In addition, the results show that the same quantitative values of losses are obtained at high- and low-speed flow conditions. The latter proves the validity of the low-speed approach for ultra-high-lift profiles for the case of an exit Mach number of the order of 0.64. Hot-wire measurements were carried out to explain the effect of the surface finish on the wake-induced transition mechanism.

scholarly journals On Scaling Method to Investigate High-Speed Over-Tip-Leakage Flow at Low-Speed Condition

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongmei Jiang ◽  
Li He ◽  
Qiang Zhang ◽  
Lipo Wang
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Tip Leakage Flow ◽  
Scaling Method ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Tip Leakage ◽  
Speed Condition

Modern high-pressure turbine blades operate at high-speed conditions. The over-tip-leakage (OTL) flow can be high-subsonic or even transonic. From the consideration of problem simplification and cost reduction, the OTL flow has been studied extensively in low-speed experiments. It has been assumed a redesigned low-speed blade profile with a matched blade loading should be sufficient to scale the high-speed OTL flow down to the low-speed condition. In this paper, the validity of this conventional scaling approach is computationally examined. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methodology was first validated by experimental data conducted in both high- and low-speed conditions. Detailed analyses on the OTL flows at high- and low-speed conditions indicate that, only matching the loading distribution with a redesigned blade cannot ensure the match of the aerodynamic performance at the low-speed condition with that at the high-speed condition. Specifically, the discrepancy in the peak tip leakage mass flux can be as high as 22%, and the total pressure loss at the low-speed condition is 6% higher than the high-speed case. An improved scaling method is proposed hereof. As an additional dimension variable, the tip clearance can also be “scaled” down from the high-speed to low-speed case to match the cross-tip pressure gradient between pressure and suction surfaces. The similarity in terms of the overall aerodynamic loss and local leakage flow distribution can be improved by adjusting the tip clearance, either uniformly or locally.

Numerical Study of the Flow Past a Turbine Blade Tip: Effect of Relative Motion Between Blade and Shroud

2013 ◽  
Vol 136 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumanta Acharya ◽  
Louis Moreaux
Keyword(s):  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Relative Motion ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Static Case ◽  
Blade Tip ◽  
Geometric Effects ◽  
Blade Tips

Turbine blade tips are often the most susceptible to material failure due to the high-speed leakage flow and associated large thermal loadings. In this paper, the effect of the blade rotation and relative motion between the blade tip and shroud is studied numerically. Three different simulations have been undertaken: (1) a static case where the blade and the shroud are stationary (used as the reference case) (2) a linearly moving blade (or shroud) and (3) a rotating blade. Comparisons between cases 1 and 2 identify the effects of relative motion, while comparison between cases 2 and 3 delineate the effects of rotational Coriolis and centrifugal forces. Geometric effects were also studied through different combinations of tip gaps and squealer depths with the relative motion and rotational effects included. The calculations were done using a commercial flow solver, Fluent, using a block body-fitted mesh, Reynolds-averaged transport equations and a turbulence model. Results confirm the significant effects of the relative motion between the blade tip and shroud, and indicate that the assumption of pressure-driven leakage flows for blade tips is inappropriate. While rotational forces also play a role, the magnitude of their effects are relatively small compared to the relative motion effects. Geometric effects are also important with the lower tip clearance reducing leakage flow and allowing the tip coolant to migrate towards the SS with relative motion.

scholarly journals On Scaling Method to Investigate High-Speed Over-Tip-Leakage Flow at Low-Speed Condition

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongmei Jiang ◽  
Li He ◽  
Qiang Zhang ◽  
Lipo Wang
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Tip Leakage Flow ◽  
Scaling Method ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Aerodynamic Loss ◽  
Tip Leakage ◽  
Speed Condition

Modern High Pressure Turbine (HPT) blades operate at high speed conditions. The Over-Tip-Leakage (OTL) flow, which plays a major role in the overall loss generation for HPT, can be high-subsonic or even transonic. In practice from the consideration of problem simplification and cost reduction, the OTL flow has been studied extensively in low speed experiments. It has been assumed a redesigned low speed blade profile with a matched blade loading should be sufficient to scale the high speed OTL flow down to the low speed condition. In this paper, the validity of this conventional scaling approach is computationally examined. The CFD methodology was firstly validated by experimental data conducted in both high and low speed conditions. Detailed analyses on the OTL flows at high and low speed conditions indicate that, only matching the loading distribution with a redesigned blade cannot ensure the match of the aerodynamic performance at the low speed condition with that at the high-speed condition. Specifically, the discrepancy in the peak tip leakage mass flux can be as high as 22.2%, and the total pressure loss at the low speed condition is 10.7% higher than the high speed case. An improved scaling method is proposed hereof. As an additional dimension variable, the tip clearance can also be “scaled” down from the high speed to low speed case to match the cross-tip pressure gradient between pressure and suction surfaces. The similarity in terms of the overall aerodynamic loss and local leakage flow distribution can be improved by adjusting the tip clearance, either uniformly or locally. The limitations of this proposed method are also addressed in this paper.

Some Low Speed Problems of High Speed Aircraft

1962 ◽  
Vol 66 (616) ◽  
pp. 211-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Spence ◽  
D. Lean
Keyword(s):  
Mach Number ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Supersonic Speed ◽  
Jet Propulsion ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
The Past ◽  
Flight Range ◽  
The Future ◽  
Mach Numbers ◽  
Leading Edges

The high speed aircraft whose low speed aerodynamic problems are discussed in this part of the paper belong to the future rather than to the past or present. Küchemann has shown how jet propulsion and the use of a new set of aerodynamics appropriate to supersonic speed lead one from the classical aircraft to new shapes suitable for achieving a required flight range. These shapes include wing-body arrangements with wing sweepback angles of 55° or 60° suitable for a Mach number of about 1·2, and slender, neartriangular wings with sharp leading edges suitable for Mach numbers of around 2 or more, depending on the ratio of span to length.

Separation and Transition Control on an Aft-Loaded Ultra-High-Lift LP Turbine Blade at Low Reynolds Numbers: High-Speed Validation

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Vera ◽  
Xue Feng Zhang ◽  
Howard Hodson ◽  
Neil Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Mach Number ◽  
Surface Finish ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Low Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Transition Mechanism ◽  
Low Reynolds

This paper presents the second part of an investigation of the combined effects of unsteadiness and surface roughness on an aft-loaded ultra high lift low pressure turbine (LPT) profile at low Reynolds numbers. The investigation has been performed using low-speed and high-speed cascade facilities. The low speed and the high speed profiles have been designed to have the same normalized isentropic Mach number distribution. The low speed results have been presented in Part 1 of this paper. The current paper examines the effect of different surface finishes on an aft-loaded ultra-high-lift LPT profile at Mach and Reynolds numbers representative of LPT engine conditions. The surface roughness values are presented along with the profile losses under steady and unsteady inflow conditions. The results show that the use of a rough surface finish might reduce the profile loss. In addition, the results show that the same quantitative values of losses are obtained at high and low speed flow conditions. The latter proves the validity of the low speed approach for ultra high lift profiles for the case of an exit Mach number of the order of 0.64. Hot wire measurements were carried out to explain the effect of the surface finish on the wake induced transition mechanism.

The Influence of Compressor Aerodynamics on Pressure Probes: Part I — In Rig Calibrations

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Coldrick ◽  
P. C. Ivey ◽  
R. G. Wells
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Good Accuracy ◽  
Steady State Flow ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Current Design ◽  
Compressor Aerodynamics ◽  
Unsteady Effects

Steady state flow measurements as obtained by multi hole pneumatic pressure probes are relevant to the current design process. These probes are calibrated in a uniform flow in a wind tunnel prior to their application in the test compressor. It is known that the probes do not behave in the same way in the test compressor as in the wind tunnel, one of the factors is that the flow in the compressor is fluctuating and this is thought to influence the probe’s operation. This two part paper investigates the influence of unsteady effects on probe operation. Part one covers an experimental investigation in which two pneumatic probes were calibrated firstly in a wind tunnel, then in low and high speed compressors. The probe that was used for the low speed compressor was scaled up from its high speed counterpart due to the increased size of the machine. The calibration graphs obtained by yawing the probe in the wind tunnel were reproduced with good accuracy when the same process was performed in the compressors. Whereas for the low speed compressor, the probe Reynolds number was the same as in the wind tunnel, the high speed compressor operated at a much larger Reynolds number.

Numerical Study of the Flow Past a Turbine Blade Tip: Effect of Relative Motion Between Blade and Shroud

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumanta Acharya ◽  
Louis Moreaux
Keyword(s):  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Relative Motion ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Static Case ◽  
Blade Tip ◽  
Geometric Effects ◽  
Blade Tips

Turbine blade tips are often the most susceptible to material failure due to the high-speed leakage flow and associated large thermal loadings. In this paper, the effect of the blade rotation and relative motion between the blade tip and shroud is studied numerically. Three different simulations have been undertaken: (1) a static case where the blade and the shroud are stationary (used as the reference case) (2) a linearly moving blade (or shroud), and (3) a rotating blade. Comparisons between cases 1 and 2 identify the effects of relative motion, while comparison between cases 2 and 3 delineate the effects of rotational Coriolis and centrifugal forces. Geometric effects were also studied through different combinations of tip gaps and squealer depths with the relative motion and rotational effects included. The calculations were done using a commercial flow solver, Fluent, using a block body-fitted mesh, Reynolds-averaged transport equations and a turbulence model. Results confirm the significant effects of the relative motion between the blade tip and shroud, and indicate that the assumption of pressure-driven leakage flows for blade tips is inappropriate. While rotational forces also play a role, the magnitude of their effects are relatively small compared to the relative motion effects. Geometric effects are also important with the lower tip clearance reducing leakage flow and allowing the tip coolant to migrate towards the SS with relative motion.

scholarly journals Commencement and Development Processes of Flow Unsteadiness at Tip Clearance Region of a Low Speed Axial Compressor Rotor Blade Row

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 288
Author(s):  
Marhamat Zeinali ◽  
Sarallah Abbasi ◽  
Abolfazl Hajizadeh Aghdam
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Tip Leakage Flow ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Tip Leakage ◽  
Blade Row ◽  
Development Processes ◽  
Flow Frequency

Commencement and development processes of unsteadiness, caused by blade row tip leakage flow in a low speed axial compressor, are investigated and results are presented in this paper. Analyses are based on results obtained through numerical simulation of unsteady three dimensional viscous flows. Discretization of the Navier-Stokes’s equations has been carried out based on upwind second-order scheme and k-ω-SST turbulence modeling was used for estimation of eddy viscosity.Three different circumstances, including design point and two near stall conditions are considered for investigation and discussion. Tip leakage flow frequency spectrums were examined through surveying instantaneous static pressure signals imposed on the blades surfaces. Focusing on time dependent flow structure results signified existence of some pressure peaks at near stall conditions. These regions, which are created as a result of interaction between main inflow and tip leakage flow, lead to occurrence of self-induced unsteadiness. However, at design condition, flow is more affected by the main inflow instead of the tip leakage flow. By occurrence of self-induced unsteadiness, which occurs at near stall condition, tip leakage vortex flow starts to fluctuate at a frequency about the blade passing frequency. Further decrease in the flow rate up to a specified value showed no significant variations in the leakage flow frequency, but, on the other hand, magnified amplitudes of this unsteadiness.

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