scholarly journals Reducing Secondary Flow Losses in Low-Pressure Turbines: The “Snaked” Blade

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Matteo Giovannini ◽  
Filippo Rubechini ◽  
Michele Marconcini ◽  
Andrea Arnone ◽  
Francesco Bertini
Keyword(s):  
Detailed Comparison ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Wall Region ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Pressure Loss Coefficient ◽  
Flow Losses ◽  
Parametric Description ◽  
Stator Blade ◽  
The Impact

This paper presents an innovative design for reducing the impact of secondary flows on the aerodynamics of low-pressure turbine (LPT) stages. Starting from a state-of-the-art LPT stage, a local reshaping of the stator blade was introduced in the end-wall region in order to oppose the flow turning deviation. This resulted in an optimal stator shape, able to provide a more uniform exit flow angle. The detailed comparison between the baseline stator and the redesigned one allowed for pointing out that the rotor row performance increased thanks to the more uniform inlet flow, while the stator losses were not significantly affected. Moreover, it was possible to derive some design rules and to devise a general blade shape, named ‘snaked’, able to ensure such results. This generalization translated in an effective parametric description of the ‘snaked’ shape, in which few parameters are sufficient to describe the optimal shape modification starting from a conventional design. The “snaked” blade concept and its design have been patented by Avio Aero. The stator redesign was then applied to a whole LPT module in order to evaluate the potential benefit of the ‘snaked’ design on the overall turbine performance. Finally, the design was validated by means of an experimental campaign concerning the stator blade. The spanwise distributions of the flow angle and pressure loss coefficient at the stator exit proved the effectiveness of the redesign in providing a more uniform flow to the successive row, while preserving the original stator losses.

Reducing Secondary Flow Losses in Low-Pressure Turbines With Blade Fences: Part I — Design in an Engine-Like Environment

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filippo Rubechini ◽  
Matteo Giovannini ◽  
Andrea Arnone ◽  
Daniele Simoni ◽  
Francesco Bertini
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Flow ◽  
Passive Control ◽  
Optimization Procedure ◽  
Detailed Comparison ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Flow Losses ◽  
Stator Vane ◽  
The One ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This paper deals with the design of passive control devices for reducing the impact of secondary flows on the aerodynamics of low-pressure turbine (LPT) stages. A novel kind of device is introduced which consists of shelf-like fences to be added to the blade surface. Such a device is intended to hinder the development of secondary flows, thus reducing losses and flow turning deviation with respect to the straight blade. The first part of this work is devoted to the design of the blade fences, whereas the second part addresses the experimental validation of the device. The blade fences are designed on a LPT stator vane, in an engine-like environment. As secondary flows generated by one blade row produce their major effects on the downstream one, and hence on the stage performance, the assessment is performed on a stator-rotor configuration. Steady calculations are considered for the design, then the optimal geometry is verified via unsteady calculations to include the effects of the actual interaction. The geometry and layout of the blade fences are effectively handled by means of a parametric approach, which enables the fast generation of several configurations. An optimization procedure, based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) is exploited to drive the fences design. The analysis of the relative merit of each solution is carried out using a state-of-the-art CFD approach. Finally, a detailed comparison between the original blade and the one equipped with fences is presented, and the physical mechanisms responsible for the mitigation of secondary flow losses are discussed in detail.

Reducing Secondary Flow Losses in Low-Pressure Turbines With Blade Fences: Part II — Experimental Validation on Linear Cascades

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Giovannini ◽  
Filippo Rubechini ◽  
Giorgio Amato ◽  
Andrea Arnone ◽  
Daniele Simoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Passive Control ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Speed Test ◽  
Flow Losses ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Beneficial Impact ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This paper deals with the design of passive control devices for reducing the impact of secondary flows on the aerodynamics of low-pressure turbine (LPT) stages. A novel kind of device is introduced which consists of shelf-like fences to be added to the blade surface. Such a device is intended to contrast the development of secondary flows, thus reducing losses and flow turning deviation with respect to the straight blade. In this second part, an experimental campaign on a linear cascade is presented which is aimed at proving the beneficial impact of the blade fences. Experiments were carried out on a low-speed test-rig, equipped with a large scale blade representative of the stators of the engine-like environment considered in part I. Measurements are mainly focused on the stator losses and on the flow field at the stator exit. The performance of the blade fences was evaluated by comparing the straight cascade and the fenced ones. The measurements highlighted the impact of the blade fences on the development of the secondary flows, affecting both the stator losses and the non-uniformity of the flow field over the exit plane, which, in the actual stage environment, impacts the operation of the downstream blade row. Moreover, the comparison between CFD and experiments proved the accuracy of the CFD setup, thus suggesting its reliability in predicting the stage performance in the engine-like configuration.

Secondary Flows in LPT Cascades: Numerical and Experimental Investigation of the Impact of the Inner Part of the Boundary Layer

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Giovannini ◽  
Filippo Rubechini ◽  
Michele Marconcini ◽  
Daniele Simoni ◽  
Vianney Yepmo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Pressure Losses ◽  
Current Design ◽  
Inlet Conditions ◽  
Correct Understanding ◽  
The Impact

Due to the low level of profile losses already reached in the design of modern low-pressure turbines for turbofan applications, a renewed interest is devoted to the other sources of loss, and namely to the secondary losses. At the same time, the importance of secondary losses has been reinforced by the current design trend towards high-lift profiles. A great attention, therefore, is dedicated to reliable and effective prediction methods as well as on the correct understanding of the mechanisms that drive the secondary flows. In this context, a systematic numerical and experimental campaign was carried out focusing on the impact of different inlet boundary layer (BL) profiles and considering a state-of-the-art low-pressure turbine cascade. Starting from a computational environment representative of a design standard, detailed RANS analyses were carried out in order to establish dependable guidelines for the computational setup. As a major result, such analyses also underlined the importance of the shape of the inlet BL very close to the endwall, hence suggesting tight requirements for the characterization of the experimental environment. The impact of the inlet BL profile on the secondary flow development was experimentally investigated by varying the profile shape very close to the endwall as well as on the external part with respect to a reference condition. The effects on the cascade performance were evaluated focusing on the intensity of the over-under-turning as well as on the associated losses (intensity and penetration) by measuring the span-wise distributions of flow angle and total pressure losses at the cascade exit plane. For all the inlet conditions, comparisons between CFD and experimental results are discussed. Besides providing guidelines for a proper numerical and experimental setup, the present paper underlines the importance of a detailed characterization of the inlet BL for an accurate assessment of the secondary flows. From a broader perspective, when aiming at reproducing (numerically or experimentally) a real engine environment, this suggests that an in-depth matching of the inlet profiles is crucial for reliable estimates of the secondary losses.

Secondary Flows in Low-Pressure Turbines Cascades: Numerical and Experimental Investigation of the Impact of the Inner Part of the Boundary Layer

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Giovannini ◽  
Filippo Rubechini ◽  
Michele Marconcini ◽  
Daniele Simoni ◽  
Vianney Yepmo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Pressure Losses ◽  
Inlet Conditions ◽  
External Part ◽  
The Impact

Due to the low level of profile losses reached in low-pressure turbines (LPT) for turbofan applications, a renewed interest is devoted to other sources of loss, e.g., secondary losses. At the same time, the adoption of high-lift profiles has reinforced the importance of these losses. A great attention, therefore, is dedicated to reliable prediction methods and to the understanding of the mechanisms that drive the secondary flows. In this context, a numerical and experimental campaign on a state-of-the-art LPT cascade was carried out focusing on the impact of different inlet boundary layer (BL) profiles. First of all, detailed Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) analyzes were carried out in order to establish dependable guidelines for the computational setup. Such analyzes also underlined the importance of the shape of the inlet BL very close to the endwall, suggesting tight requirements for the characterization of the experimental environment. The impact of the inlet BL on the secondary flow was experimentally investigated by varying the inlet profile very close to the endwall as well as on the external part of the BL. The effects on the cascade performance were evaluated by measuring the span-wise distributions of flow angle and total pressure losses. For all the inlet conditions, comparisons between Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and experimental results are discussed. Besides providing guidelines for a proper numerical and experimental setup, the present paper underlines the importance of a detailed characterization of the inlet BL for an accurate assessment of the secondary flows.

Control of Shroud Leakage Loss by Reducing Circumferential Mixing

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Budimir Rosic ◽  
John D. Denton
Keyword(s):  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Tangential Velocity ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Main Stream ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Blade Row ◽  
Stator Blade ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Mixing Losses

Shroud leakage flow undergoes little change in the tangential velocity as it passes over the shroud. Mixing due to the difference in tangential velocity between the main stream flow and the leakage flow creates a significant proportion of the total loss associated with shroud leakage flow. The unturned leakage flow also causes negative incidence and intensifies the secondary flows in the downstream blade row. This paper describes the experimental results of a concept to turn the rotor shroud leakage flow in the direction of the main blade passage flow in order to reduce the aerodynamic mixing losses. A three-stage air model turbine with low aspect ratio blading was used in this study. A series of different stationary turning vane geometries placed into the rotor shroud exit cavity downstream of each rotor blade row was tested. A significant improvement in flow angle and loss in the downstream stator blade rows was measured together with an increase in turbine brake efficiency of 0.4 %.

Aerodynamic Performance of a Very High Lift Low Pressure Turbine Blade With Emphasis on Separation Prediction

2004 ◽  
Vol 126 (3) ◽  
pp. 406-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Re´gis Houtermans ◽  
Thomas Coton ◽  
Tony Arts
Keyword(s):  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Separated Flow ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Flow Mode ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Very High

The present paper is based on an experimental study of a front-loaded very high lift, low pressure turbine blade designed at the VKI. The experiments have been carried out in a low-speed wind tunnel over a wide operating range of incidence and Reynolds number. The aim of the study is to characterize the flow through the cascade in terms of losses, mean outlet flow angle, and secondary flows. At low inlet freestream turbulence intensity, a laminar separation bubble is present, and a prediction model for a separated flow mode of transition has been developed.

Shorten the Intermediate Turbine Duct Length by Applying an Integrated Concept

2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Marn ◽  
E. Göttlich ◽  
D. Cadrecha ◽  
H. P. Pirker
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Base Line ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Intermediate Turbine Duct ◽  
Integrated Concept ◽  
Inlet Conditions ◽  
Base Design

The demand of further increased bypass ratio of aero engines will lead to low pressure turbines with larger diameters, which rotate at lower speed. Therefore, it is necessary to guide the flow leaving the high pressure turbine to the low pressure turbine at larger diameters minimizing the losses and providing an adequate flow at the low pressure (LP)-turbine inlet. Due to costs and weight, this intermediate turbine duct has to be as short as possible. This would lead to an aggressive (high diffusion) s-shaped duct geometry. It is possible to shorten the duct simply by reducing the length but the risk of separation is rising and losses increase. Another approach to shorten the duct and thus the engine length is to apply a so called integrated concept. These are novel concepts where the struts, mounted in the transition duct, replace the usually following LP-vane row. This configuration should replace the first LP-vane row from a front bearing engine architecture where the vane needs a big area to hold bearing services. That means the rotor is located directly downstream of the strut. This means that the struts have to provide the downstream blade row with undisturbed inflow with suitable flow angle and Mach number. Therefore, the (lifting) strut has a distinct three-dimensional design in the more downstream part, while in the more upstream part, it has to be cylindrical to be able to lead through supply lines. In spite of the longer chord compared with the base design, this struts have a thickness to chord ratio of 18%. To apply this concept, a compromise must be found between the number of struts (weight), vibration, noise, and occurring flow disturbances due to the secondary flows and losses. The struts and the outer duct wall have been designed by Industria de Turbopropulsores. The inner duct was kept the same as for the base line configuration (designed by Motoren und Turbinen Union). The aim of the design was to have similar duct outflow conditions (exit flow angle and radial mass flow distribution) as the base design with which it is compared in this paper. This base design consists of a single transonic high pressure (HP)-turbine stage, an aggressive s-shaped intermediate turbine duct, and a LP-vane row. Both designs used the same HP-turbine and were run in the continuously operating Transonic Test Turbine Facility at Graz University of Technology under the same engine representative inlet conditions. The flow field upstream and downstream the LP-vane and the strut, respectively, has been investigated by means of five hole probes. A rough estimation of the overall duct loss is given as well as the upper and lower weight reduction limit for the integrated concept.

An Experimental Investigation of Secondary Flows and Loss Development Downstream of a Highly Loaded Low Pressure Turbine Outlet Guide Vane Cascade

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Hja¨rne ◽  
Valery Chernoray ◽  
Jonas Larsson ◽  
Lennart Lo¨fdahl
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Investigation ◽  
Guide Vane ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Vortical Structures ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Passage Vortex ◽  
Flow Field Characteristics ◽  
Highly Loaded

This paper presents a detailed experimental investigation of the evolution of secondary flow field characteristics and losses at several measurement planes downstream of a highly loaded low pressure turbine/outlet guide vane (LPT/OGV). The experiments were carried out in a linear cascade at Chalmers in Sweden. Several realistic upstream incidences and turbulence intensities have been investigated for one Reynolds number. Downstream characteristics have been measured with a 5-hole pneumatic probe. This allows for the determination of the mean vortical structures, their development and their interactions. The passage vortex and the blade shed vorticity are clearly visible at different downstream positions. Their intensity is shown to be strongly dependent on the inlet flow angle. The turbulence level seems to play a role on both the mixing within, and between the structures. The measurements also show that the losses along the blade span are dependent on the development of these structures.

On the Interactions of a Rotor Blade Tip Flow With Axial Casing Grooves in an Axial Compressor Near the Best Efficiency Point

2018 ◽  
Vol 141 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huang Chen ◽  
Yuanchao Li ◽  
Joseph Katz
Keyword(s):  
Rotor Blade ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Maximum Efficiency ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Tip Leakage Flow ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Tip Leakage ◽  
Blade Tip ◽  
The Impact

Experiments in a refractive index-matched axial turbomachine facility show that semicircular skewed axial casing grooves (ACGs) reduce the stall flowrate by 40% but cause a 2.4% decrease in the maximum efficiency. Aiming to elucidate mechanism that might cause the reduced efficiency, stereo-PIV measurements examine the impact of the ACGs on the flow structure and turbulence in the tip region near the best efficiency point (BEP), and compare them to those occurring without grooves and at low flowrates. Results show that the periodic inflow into the groove peaks when the rotor blade pressure side (PS) overlaps with the downstream end of the groove, but diminishes when this end faces the suction side (SS). Entrainment of the PS boundary layer and its vorticity generates a vortical loop at the entrance to the groove, and a “discontinuity” in the tip leakage vortex (TLV) trajectory. During exposure to the SS, the backward tip leakage flow separates at the entrance to the groove, generating a counter-rotating circumferential “corner vortex,” which the TLV entrains into the passage at high flowrates. Interactions among these structures enlarge the TLV and create a broad area with secondary flows and elevated turbulence near the groove's downstream corner. A growing shear layer with weaker turbulence also originates from the upstream corner. The groove also increases the flow angle upstream of the blade tip and varies it periodically. Accordingly, the circulation shed from the blade tip and strength of leakage flow increase near the blade leading edge (LE).

The Control of Shroud Leakage Loss by Reducing Circumferential Mixing

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Budimir Rosic ◽  
John D. Denton
Keyword(s):  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Tangential Velocity ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Main Stream ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Blade Row ◽  
Stator Blade ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Mixing Losses

Shroud leakage flow undergoes little change in the tangential velocity as it passes over the shroud. Mixing due to the difference in tangential velocity between the main stream flow and the leakage flow creates a significant proportion of the total loss associated with shroud leakage flow. The unturned leakage flow also causes negative incidence and intensifies the secondary flows in the downstream blade row. This paper describes the experimental results of a concept to turn the rotor shroud leakage flow in the direction of the main blade passage flow in order to reduce the aerodynamic mixing losses. A three-stage air model turbine with low aspect ratio blading was used in this study. A series of different stationary turning vane geometries placed into the rotor shroud exit cavity downstream of each rotor blade row was tested. A significant improvement in flow angle and loss in the downstream stator blade rows was measured together with an increase in turbine brake efficiency of 0.4%.

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