Influence of Jet-Induced Transition on Separating Low-Pressure Turbine Boundary Layers

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 996-1006 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Reimann ◽  
M. Bloxham ◽  
K. L. Crapo ◽  
J. D. Pluim ◽  
J. P. Bons
2003 ◽  
Vol 125 (3) ◽  
pp. 455-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. B. Suzen ◽  
P. G. Huang ◽  
Lennart S. Hultgren ◽  
David E. Ashpis

A new transport equation for the intermittency factor was proposed to predict separated and transitional boundary layers under low-pressure turbine airfoil conditions. The intermittent behavior of the transitional flows is taken into account and incorporated into computations by modifying the eddy viscosity, μt, with the intermittency factor, γ. Turbulent quantities are predicted by using Menter’s two-equation turbulence model (SST). The intermittency factor is obtained from a transport equation model, which not only can reproduce the experimentally observed streamwise variation of the intermittency in the transition zone, but also can provide a realistic cross-stream variation of the intermittency profile. In this paper, the intermittency model is used to predict a recent separated and transitional boundary layer experiment under low pressure turbine airfoil conditions. The experiment provides detailed measurements of velocity, turbulent kinetic energy and intermittency profiles for a number of Reynolds numbers and freestream turbulent intensity conditions and is suitable for validation purposes. Detailed comparisons of computational results with experimental data are presented and good agreements between the experiments and predictions are obtained.


Author(s):  
Ken-Ichi Funazaki ◽  
Kazutoyo Yamada ◽  
Yasuhiro Chiba ◽  
Nozomi Tanaka

This paper deals with LES investigation, along with measurements, on the interaction between inlet freestream turbulence and boundary layers with separation bubble over ultra-high lift low-pressure turbine airfoils. The cross section of the test airfoils is typical for highly-loaded LP turbines for civil aeroengines. The solidity of the cascade can be reduced by increasing the airfoil pitch by at least 25%, while maintaining the throat in the blade-to-blade passage. Reynolds number examined is 57,000, based on chord length and averaged exit velocity. Free-stream turbulence is about 0.85% (no grid condition) and 2.1% (with grid condition). Hot-wire probe measurements of the boundary layer are carried out to obtain time-averaged and time-resolved characteristics of the boundary layers under the influence of the freestream turbulence. A newly developed probe positioning tool, which is installed downstream of the cascade with minimal blockage, enables precise probe positioning along lines normal to the airfoil surface. Numerical analysis based on high-resolution LES (Large-Eddy Simulation) is executed to enhance the understanding of the flow field around the Ultra-High Lift and High Lift LP turbine airfoils. Emphasis is placed on the relationship of inherent instability of the shear layer of the separation bubble and the free-stream turbulence. Standard Smagorinsky model is employed for subgrid scale modeling. The flow solver used is an in-house code that was originally developed by one of the authors as FVM (Finite Volume Method)-based fully implicit and time-accurate Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes code. Homogeneous isotropic turbulence created with SNGR (Stochastic Noise Generation and Radiation) method using von Karman-Pao turbulent energy spectrum is applied in the present study for the emulation of inlet turbulence.


2000 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph J. Volino ◽  
Lennart S. Hultgren

Detailed velocity measurements were made along a flat plate subject to the same dimensionless pressure gradient as the suction side of a modern low-pressure turbine airfoil. Reynolds numbers based on wetted plate length and nominal exit velocity were varied from 50,000 to 300,000, covering cruise to takeoff conditions. Low and high inlet free-stream turbulence intensities (0.2 and 7 percent) were set using passive grids. The location of boundary-layer separation does not depend strongly on the free-stream turbulence level or Reynolds number, as long as the boundary layer remains nonturbulent prior to separation. Strong acceleration prevents transition on the upstream part of the plate in all cases. Both free-stream turbulence and Reynolds number have strong effects on transition in the adverse pressure gradient region. Under low free-stream turbulence conditions, transition is induced by instability waves in the shear layer of the separation bubble. Reattachment generally occurs at the transition start. At Re=50,000 the separation bubble does not close before the trailing edge of the modeled airfoil. At higher Re, transition moves upstream, and the boundary layer reattaches. With high free-stream turbulence levels, transition appears to occur in a bypass mode, similar to that in attached boundary layers. Transition moves upstream, resulting in shorter separation regions. At Re above 200,000, transition begins before separation. Mean velocity, turbulence, and intermittency profiles are presented.


Author(s):  
Ralph J. Volino ◽  
Lennart S. Hultgren

Detailed velocity measurements were made along a flat plate subject to the same dimensionless pressure gradient as the suction side of a modern low-pressure turbine airfoil. Reynolds numbers based on wetted plate length and nominal exit velocity were varied from 50, 000 to 300, 000, covering cruise to takeoff conditions. Low and high inlet free-stream turbulence intensities (0.2% and 7%) were set using passive grids. The location of boundary-layer separation does not depend strongly on the free-stream turbulence level or Reynolds number, as long as the boundary layer remains non-turbulent prior to separation. Strong acceleration prevents transition on the upstream part of the plate in all cases. Both free-stream turbulence and Reynolds number have strong effects on transition in the adverse pressure gradient region. Under low free-stream turbulence conditions transition is induced by instability waves in the shear layer of the separation bubble. Reattachment generally occurs at the transition start. At Re = 50, 000 the separation bubble does not close before the trailing edge of the modeled airfoil. At higher Re, transition moves upstream, and the boundary layer reattaches. With high free-stream turbulence levels, transition appears to occur in a bypass mode, similar to that in attached boundary layers. Transition moves upstream, resulting in shorter separation regions. At Re above 200,000, transition begins before separation. Mean velocity, turbulence and intermittency profiles are presented.


Author(s):  
Tomohiko Jimbo ◽  
Debasish Biswas

In this work, unsteady viscous flow analysis around Low Pressure Turbine (LPT) cascade using a High-Order LES (Large Eddy Simulation) turbulence model is carried out to investigate basic physical process. In the aerospace industry, input shaft power for fan and compressor components of turbine engines is most commonly supplied by the LPT. Considering this fact, in the endeavor of developing engines of increased efficiency and decreased weight LPT is an important component worth paying attention. Therefore, a better understanding of low-Reynolds number flow transition and separation behavior is very much essential to such improvements. Blades in the LPT environment may be designed for higher loading if the effects of passing wakes on bypass transition are properly included in the design. Also, under the LPT working conditions, boundary layers along a large extent of blade surface can remain laminar, even in the presence of elevated free-stream turbulence levels. The laminar boundary layers are then particularly susceptible to flow separation over the aft portion of blade suction surfaces, causing blockage in flow passages and a significant reduction in turbine efficiency. Related to weight reduction, the blade spacing in LPT can be increased with a rise in per blade loading. Increased blade spacing however, is accompanied by more extensive boundary layer separation on the suction surface of each blade due to uncovered turning, resulting in a further reduction of efficiency and additional wake losses. In the present work, experimental work is numerically simulated. Features of the flow-fields are described and compared with the experimental data on baseline case and active flow separation control using Vortex Generator Jet (VGJ).


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