Aerothermal predictions with transition models for high-pressure turbine blades

Abstract

Turbine aerothermal analysis is a key issue of the entire engine design as higher performance and longer component life must always be reached. For this purpose, a substantial effort is dedicated to aerothermal methods at Snecma-Moteur. This paper deals with the problem of heat transfer prediction on uncooled turbine blades. The main parameter investigated is the transition process, but consideration is also given to the turbulence model, effect of free stream turbulence on laminar boundary layer and mesh refinement. All the models are implemented in a three-dimensional Navier-Stokes code. Quasi-three-dimensional computations are used to evaluate all models, and then fully three-dimensional computations are performed. Aerothermal predictions are compared with static pressure and heat transfer measurements from the IACA and TATEF Brite-EuRam programmes carried out in the test facilities of DERA, Pyestock and the von Karman Institute.