Effect of Tip Configurations on Aerodynamic Performance of Variable Geometry Linear Turbine Cascade

Abstract

Abstract The variable geometry turbine (VGT) has been widely used in different fields due to its higher efficiency and lower fuel consumption at part-load. However, the flow field in a VGT is characterized by the leakage flow through the radial clearance of rotational vane compared with a general fixed vane turbine. Numerical simulations are conducted on a linear turbine cascade to reduce the leakage flow based on passive control method. The aerodynamic performances and flow fields are compared for four kinds of tip configuration firstly. Then, the effect of variable geometry on the linear turbine cascade aerodynamic performance is investigated for five installation angles ranging from –5 to 5 deg. In addition, the development patterns and trends of the tip leakage vortex and the passage vortex are analyzed. The results show that the squealer tip and the rotating axis have a significant impact on suppressing leakage flow. The leakage flow rate has a tendency to decrease, and the total pressure coefficient is gradually increased when installation angle ranges from –5 to 5 deg. The interactions between tip leakage vortex and passage vortex leads to the different trends on leakage flow at various installation angles and axial sections.