Numerical Investigation of Conjugate Heat Transfer and Flow Characteristics on Shrouds in a Gas Engine HP Compressor Blades

Abstract

This investigation is on the numerical simulation of Conjugate Heat Transfer and efficient compression of air density from the upstream to the HP compressor section of a Gas Engine Rotor for various configurations of geometry and position of shrouds considering Ti-6Al-4V as blade material. The shrouds provide high contact region for the Conduction and Structural Integrity as it is more aerodynamic and feasible when compared to unshrouded blades, hence calling for the optimum positioning of shrouds. Three positions of shrouds at tip, 3/4th and mid way along the blade height of Axial HP compressor vanes are considered with flat and tapered geometry for the analysis. The distribution of Static Pressure, Turbulence Intensity and their impacts on temperature distribution, local and overall heat transfer coefficient were studied for various design configurations using Computational Fluid Dynamics and an efficient model out of the above mentioned configurations was identified which provides comparatively high density of air, high Overall Heat Transfer Co-efficient and hence, efficient Compressor Cooling.