LES-Based Assessment of Rotation-Sensitized Turbulence Models for Prediction of Heat Transfer in Internal Cooling Channels of Turbine Blades

Author(s):  
Domenico Borello ◽  
Franco Rispoli ◽  
Ermanno Properzi ◽  
Alessandro Salvagni

A comprehensive model for the prediction of flows in rotating internal cooling channel application is here presented and assessed. The flow field was modelled by using a rotation-sensitized version of the well known k-ε-ζ-f elliptic relaxation model. Flow field features in selected planes are discussed to show the changes in velocity field due to the rotation. The discussion is focused on the increase of turbulence close to the ribbed (trailing) surface when rotation is present. In this case the increase of the wall normal pressure gradient leads to an early reattachment of the large recirculation bubble downstream from the rib and to an anticipated development of the boundary layer. Furthermore, Coriolis force enhances the secondary motion. Both phenomena increase mixing and are expected to also increase heat transfer efficiency of the heated surface. This is confirmed by the results of the temperature field. Comparisons with the available experimental results confirm the quality of the prediction.

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 1178-1207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Fazli ◽  
Mehrdad Raisee

PurposeThis paper aims to predict turbulent flow and heat transfer through different channels with periodic dimple/protrusion walls. More specifically, the performance of various low-Rek-ε turbulence models in prediction of local heat transfer coefficient is evaluated.Design/methodology/approachThree low-Re numberk-εturbulence models (the zonalk-ε, the lineark-εand the nonlineark-ε) are used. Computations are performed for three geometries, namely, a channel with a single dimpled wall, a channel with double dimpled walls and a channel with a single dimple/protrusion wall. The predictions are obtained using an in house finite volume code.FindingsThe numerical predictions indicate that the nonlineark-εmodel predicts a larger recirculation bubble inside the dimple with stronger impingement and upwash flow than the zonal and lineark-εmodels. The heat transfer results show that the zonalk-εmodel returns weak thermal predictions in all test cases in comparison to other turbulence models. Use of the lineark-εmodel leads to improvement in heat transfer predictions inside the dimples and their back rim. However, the most accurate thermal predictions are obtained via the nonlineark-εmodel. As expected, the replacement of the algebraic length-scale correction term with the differential version improves the heat transfer predictions of both linear and nonlineark-εmodels.Originality/valueThe most reliable turbulence model of the current study (i.e. nonlineark-εmodel) may be used for design and optimization of various thermal systems using dimples for heat transfer enhancement (e.g. heat exchangers and internal cooling system of gas turbine blades).


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3954
Author(s):  
Liang Xu ◽  
Qicheng Ruan ◽  
Qingyun Shen ◽  
Lei Xi ◽  
Jianmin Gao ◽  
...  

Traditional cooling structures in gas turbines greatly improve the high temperature resistance of turbine blades; however, few cooling structures concern both heat transfer and mechanical performances. A lattice structure (LS) can solve this issue because of its advantages of being lightweight and having high porosity and strength. Although the topology of LS is complex, it can be manufactured with metal 3D printing technology in the future. In this study, an integral optimization model concerning both heat transfer and mechanical performances was presented to design the LS cooling channel with a variable aspect ratio in gas turbine blades. Firstly, some internal cooling channels with the thin walls were built up and a simple raw of five LS cores was taken as an insert or a turbulator in these cooling channels. Secondly, relations between geometric variables (height (H), diameter (D) and inclination angle(ω)) and objectives/functions of this research, including the first-order natural frequency (freq1), equivalent elastic modulus (E), relative density (ρ¯) and Nusselt number (Nu), were established for a pyramid-type lattice structure (PLS) and Kagome-type lattice structure (KLS). Finally, the ISIGHT platform was introduced to construct the frame of the integral optimization model. Two selected optimization problems (Op-I and Op-II) were solved based on the third-order response model with an accuracy of more than 0.97, and optimization results were analyzed. The results showed that the change of Nu and freq1 had the highest overall sensitivity Op-I and Op-II, respectively, and the change of D and H had the highest single sensitivity for Nu and freq1, respectively. Compared to the initial LS, the LS of Op-I increased Nu and E by 24.1% and 29.8%, respectively, and decreased ρ¯ by 71%; the LS of Op-II increased Nu and E by 30.8% and 45.2%, respectively, and slightly increased ρ¯; the LS of both Op-I and Op-II decreased freq1 by 27.9% and 19.3%, respectively. These results suggested that the heat transfer, load bearing and lightweight performances of the LS were greatly improved by the optimization model (except for the lightweight performance for the optimal LS of Op-II, which became slightly worse), while it failed to improve vibration performance of the optimal LS.


Author(s):  
James Hammond ◽  
Francesco Montomoli ◽  
Marco Pietropaoli ◽  
Richard D. Sandberg ◽  
Vittorio Michelassi

Abstract This work shows the application of Gene Expression Programming to augment RANS turbulence closure modelling for flows through complex geometry, designed for additive manufacturing. Specifically, for the design of optimised internal cooling channels in turbine blades. One of the challenges in internal cooling design is the heat transfer accuracy of the RANS formulation in comparison to higher fidelity methods, which are still not used in design on account of their computational cost. However, high fidelity data can be extremely valuable for improving current lower fidelity models and this work shows the application of data driven approaches to develop turbulence closures for an internally ribbed duct. Different approaches are compared and the results of the improved model are illustrated; first on the same geometry, and then for an unseen predictive case. The work shows the potential of using data driven models for accurate heat transfer predictions even in non-conventional configurations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (14) ◽  
pp. 2900
Author(s):  
Qi Jing ◽  
Yonghui Xie ◽  
Di Zhang

The trailing edge regions of high-temperature gas turbine blades are subjected to extremely high thermal loads and are affected by the external wake flow during operation, thus creating great challenges in internal cooling design. With the development of cooling technology, the dimple and protrusion have attracted wide attention for its excellent performance in heat transfer enhancement and flow resistance reduction. Based on the typical internal cooling structure of the turbine blade trailing edge, trapezoidal cooling channels with lateral extraction slots are modeled in this paper. Five channel outlet configurations, i.e., no second passage (OC1), radially inward flow second passage (OC2), radially outward flow second passage (OC3), top region outflow (OC4), both sides extractions (OC5), and three dimple/protrusion arrangements (all dimple, all protrusion, dimple–protrusion staggered arrangement) are considered. Numerical investigations are carried out, within the Re range of 10,000–100,000, to analyze the flow structures, heat transfer distributions, average heat transfer and friction characteristics and overall thermal performances in detail. The results show that the OC4 and OC5 cases have high heat transfer levels in general, while the heat transfer deterioration occurs in the OC1, OC2, and OC3 cases. For different dimple/protrusion arrangements, the protrusion case produces the best overall thermal performance. In conclusion, for the design of trailing edge cooling structures with lateral slots, the outlet configurations of top region outflow and both sides extractions, and the all protrusion arrangement, are recommended.


Author(s):  
Arash Saidi ◽  
Bengt Sundén

Internal cooling channels are commonly used to reduce the thermal loads on the gas turbine blades to improve overall efficiency. In this study a numerical investigation has been carried out to provide a validated and consistent method to deal with the prediction of the fluid flow and the heat transfer of such channels with square cross sections. The rotation modified Navier-Stokes and energy equations together with a low-Re number version of the k-ε turbulence model are solved with appropriate boundary conditions. The solution procedure is based on a numerical method using a collocated grid, and the pressure-velocity coupling is handled by the SIMPLEC algorithm. The computations are performed with the assumption of fully developed periodic conditions. The calculations are carried out for smooth ducts with and without rotation and effects of rotation on the heat transfer are described. Similar numerical calculations have carried out for channels with rib-roughened walls. The obtained results are compared with available experimental data and empirical correlations for the heat transfer rate and the friction factor. Some details of the flow and heat transfer fields are also presented.


Author(s):  
Shinjan Ghosh ◽  
Jayanta S. Kapat

Abstract Gas Turbine blade cooling is an important topic of research, as a high turbine inlet temperature (TIT) essentially means an increase in efficiency of gas turbine cycles. Internal cooling channels in gas turbine blades are key to the cooling and prevention of thermal failure of the material. Serpentine channels are a common feature in internal blade cooling. Optimization methods are often employed in the design of blade internal cooling channels to improve heat-transfer and reduce pressure drop. Topology optimization uses a variable porosity approach to manipulate flow geometries by adding or removing material. Such a method has been employed in the current work to modify the geometric configuration of a serpentine channel to improve total heat transferred and reduce the pressure drop. An in-house OpenFOAM solver has been used to create non-traditional geometries from two generic designs. Geometry-1 is a 2-D serpentine passage with an inlet and 4 bleeding holes as outlets for ejection into the trailing edge. Geometry-2 is a 3-D serpentine passage with an aspect ratio of 3:1 and consists of two 180-degree bends. The inlet velocity for both the geometries was used as 20 m/s. The governing equations employ a “Brinkman porosity parameter” to account for the porous cells in the flow domain. Results have shown a change in shape of the channel walls to enhance heat-transfer in the passage. Additive manufacturing can be employed to make such unconventional shapes.


Author(s):  
Bernhard Bonhoff ◽  
Uwe Tomm ◽  
Bruce V. Johnson

A computational study was performed for the flow and heat transfer in coolant passages with two legs connected with a U-bend and with dimensionless flow conditions typical of those in the internal cooling passages of turbine blades. The first model had smooth surfaces on all walls. The second model had opposing ribs staggered and angled at 45° to the main flow direction on two walls of the legs, corresponding to the coolant passage surfaces adjacent to the pressure and suction surfaces of a turbine airfoil. For the ribbed model, the ratio of rib height to duct hydraulic diameter equaled 0.1, and the ratio of rib spacing to rib height equaled 10. Comparisons of calculations with previous measurements are made for a Reynolds number of 25,000. With these conditions, the predicted heat transfer is known to be strongly influenced by the turbulence and wall models. The k-e model, the low Reynolds number RNG k-e and the differential Reynolds-stress model (RSM) were used for the smooth wall model calculation. Based on the results with the smooth walls, the calculations for the ribbed walls were performed using the RSM and k-e turbulence models. The high secondary flow induced by the ribs leads to an increased heat transfer in both legs. However, the heat transfer was nearly unchanged between the smooth wall model and the ribbed model within the bend region. The agreement between the predicted segment-averaged and previously-measured Nusselt numbers was good for both cases.


2017 ◽  
Vol 140 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tong-Miin Liou ◽  
Shyy Woei Chang ◽  
Yi-An Lan ◽  
Shu-Po Chan

Detailed Nusselt number (Nu) distributions over the leading (LE) and trailing (TE) endwalls and the pressure drop coefficients (f) of a rotating transverse-ribbed two-pass parallelogram channel were measured. The impacts of Reynolds (Re), rotation (Ro), and buoyancy (Bu) numbers upon local and regionally averaged Nu over the endwall of two ribbed legs and the turn are explored for Re = 5000–20,000, Ro = 0–0.3, and Bu = 0.0015–0.122. The present work aims to study the combined buoyancy and Coriolis effects on thermal performances as the first attempt. A set of selected experimental data illustrates the isolated and interdependent Ro and Bu influences upon Nu with the impacts of Re and Ro on f disclosed. Moreover, thermal performance factors (TPF) for the tested channel are evaluated and compared with those collected from the channels with different cross-sectional shapes and endwall configurations to enlighten the relative heat transfer efficiency under rotating condition. Empirical Nu and f correlations are acquired to govern the entire Nu and f data generated. These correlations allow one to evaluate both isolated and combined Re, Ro and/or Bu impacts upon the thermal performances of the present rotating channel for internal cooling of gas turbine blades.


2021 ◽  
pp. 111-116
Author(s):  
И.К. Андрианов ◽  
М.С. Гринкруг

Работа посвящена исследованию проблемы управления тепловым состоянием оболочечных лопаток судовых турбин, находящихся в условиях высокотемпературного нагружения. В работе рассматривались вопросы сочетания внешней тепловой защиты с помощью теплоизоляционного покрытия и внутреннего охлаждения. Математическая модель теплопереноса строилась на основании дифференциальных уравнений теплопроводности Фурье, условия теплоотдачи в каналах охлаждения. Проведена оценка влияния состава покрытия не изменение формы оболочки дефлектора с целью интенсификации охлаждения при неизменных параметрах скорости и температуры хладагента на входе в канал. Решение системы нелинейных уравнений теплопереноса проведено с помощью метода конечных разностей. Проведен численный эксперимент при реализации равномерного температурного поля на поверхности тела лопатки. Предложенная математическая модель позволяет рассчитать геометрию дефлекторов охлаждаемых лопаток судовых газовых турбин. Применение модели и результатов расчетов позволит рационализировать процесс охлаждения лопаток турбин, выбирая оптимальные сочетания внешней тепловой защиты и расхода хладагента. The work is devoted to the study of the problem of controlling the thermal state of the shell blades of marine turbines under high-temperature loading conditions. The paper deals with the combination of external thermal protection with the help of thermal insulation coating and internal cooling. The mathematical model of heat transfer was built on the basis of the Fourier differential equations of thermal conductivity, the conditions of heat transfer in cooling channels. The influence of the coating composition on the change in the shape of the deflector shell was evaluated in order to intensify cooling at constant parameters of the speed and temperature of the refrigerant at the inlet to the channel. The solution of the system of nonlinear heat transfer equations is carried out using the finite difference method. A numerical experiment is performed for the realization of a uniform temperature field on the surface of the blade body. The proposed mathematical model allows us to calculate the geometry of the deflectors of the cooled blades of marine gas turbines. The application of the model and the results of the calculations will allow to rationalize the cooling process of the turbine blades, choosing the optimal combination of external thermal protection and refrigerant consumption.


Author(s):  
Yaping Ju ◽  
Yi Feng ◽  
Chuhua Zhang

Abstract Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes model-based conjugate heat transfer method is popularly used in simulations and designs of internally cooled gas turbine blades. One of the important factors influencing its prediction accuracy is the choice of turbulence models for different fluid regions because the blade passage flow and internal cooling have considerably different flow features. However, most studies adopted the same turbulence models in passage flow and internal cooling. Another important issue is the comprehensive evaluation of the losses caused by flow and heat transfer for both fluid and solid regions. In this study, a RANS-based CHT solver for subsonic/transonic flows was developed based on OpenFOAM and validated and used to explore suitable RANS turbulence model combinations for internally cooled gas turbine blades. Entropy generation, able to weigh the losses caused by flow friction and heat transfer, was used in the analyses of two internally cooled vanes to reveal the loss mechanisms. Findings indicate that the combination of the k-? SST-?-Re? transition model for passage flow and the standard k-e model for internal cooling agreed best with measurement data. The relative error of vane dimensionless temperature was less than 3%. The variations of entropy generation with different internal cooling inlet velocities and temperatures indicate that reducing entropy generation was contradictory with enhancing heat transfer performance. This study, providing a reliable computing tool and a comprehensive performance parameter, has an important application value for the design of internally cooled gas turbine blades.


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