This paper describes the application of an unstructured mesh, solution-adaptive, 3D Navier-Stokes solver to the numerical simulation of the flow in a complex, three pass, turbulated, serpentine coolant passage, typical of modern axial gas turbine practice. The predicted variation of heat transfer coefficient on the convex, pressure side of the passage is in encouraging agreement with measurements from a very similar geometry, particularly as regards spatial distribution. The absolute level of the predicted heat transfer coefficients is somewhat lower than in the measurements but this is consistent with the post-processing difficulty of defining the temperature difference used to form the coefficient. A strong inter-relationship was observed between the secondary flows in the coolant passage and the heat transfer distribution. The paper attempts to show that the benefits of unstructured meshing, solution-adaption and a general purpose flow solver combine to produce a very powerful analytical ability which now permits routine solution of complex geometries such as that described here.
Development of a General Purpose 3D DSMC Flow Solver on Unstructured Meshes