This paper presents the thermal and fluid dynamic analysis of the gas turbine transition piece, applying the Finite Volume Method (FVM) through the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The study is carried out to examine the flow field and distribution of temperatures of the combustion gases along the transition piece and exit mouth, getting profiles and contours of velocity and temperature. This study is important to know the paths of flow and distribution of temperatures of the hot streaks through the transition piece, which impact on cooling system in stator and rotor. Also, these flow field and distribution of temperature have an effect in performance and life of the vanes and blades in the first stage of the turbine, principally by the difference of heat load. The study was carried out in a steady state three-dimensional model to avoid the geometric simplifications, using code FLUENT® version 6.3.26 where the k-ε turbulence model was applied and different boundary conditions in the inlet of the transition piece were considered. To obtain the results, a structured grid about 5.1 millions of cells with second-order upwind scheme and coupled solver was applied. The results show the effect of the velocity and temperature along the transition piece and exit mouth due to the change of the curved section. In the exit mouth of the transition piece is identified a dimensionless peak temperature for about 1.019 in a point near to 68% of the radial edge, while in the circumferential direction the peak temperature is about 1.027 in a point near to 50% of the circumferential edge with symmetry profiles.
Numerical Evaluation of a HVAC System Based on a High-Performance Heat Transfer Fluid