Effect of Coriolis and Centrifugal Forces on Turbulence and Heat Transfer at High Rotation and Buoyancy Numbers in a Rib-Roughened Internal Cooling Channel

Abstract

Prediction of three-dimensional flow field and heat transfer in a two pass rib-roughened square internal cooling channel of turbine blades with rounded staggered ribs rotating at high rotation and density ratios is the main focus of this study. Rotation, buoyancy, ribs, and geometry affect the flow within these channels. The full two-pass channel with bend and with rounded staggered ribs with fillets (e/Dh = 0.1 and P/e = 10) as tested by Wagner et. al [1992] is investigated. RSM is used in this study and enhanced wall treatment approach to resolve the near wall viscosity-affected region. RSM model was validated against available experimental data (which are primarily at low rotation and buoyancy numbers). The model was then used for cases with high rotational numbers (0.24, 0.475, 0.74 and 1) and high-density ratios (0.13, 0.23, and 0.3). Particular attention is given to how secondary flow, Reynolds stresses, turbulence intensity, and heat transfer are affected by coriolis and buoyancy/centrifugal forces caused by high levels of rotation and density ratios. A linear correlation for 4-side-average Nusselt number as a function of rotation number is derived.