Numerical Investigation of Secondary Flow Vortex Core Structure in the Two-Pass Rectangular Channel With 45° Ribs

Abstract

The secondary flow which is generated by the angled rib is one of the key factors of heat transfer enhancement in gas turbine blade cooling channels. However, the current studies are all based on the velocity vector and streamline, which limit the research on the detailed micro-structure of secondary flow. In order to make further targeted optimization on the flow and heat transfer in the cooling channels of gas turbine blade, it is necessary to firstly investigate the generation, interaction, dissipation and the influence on heat transfer of secondary flow with the help of new topological method. This paper reports the numerical study of the secondary flow and the effect of secondary flow on heat transfer enhancement in rectangular two-pass channel with 45° ribs. Based on the vortex core technology, the structure of secondary flow can be clearly shown and studied. The results showed that the main flow secondary flow is thrown to the outer side wall after the corner due to the centrifugal force. Then it is weakened in the second pass and a new main flow secondary flow is generated at the same time near the opposite side wall in the second pass. The Nusselt number distribution has also been compared with the secondary flow vortex core distribution. The results shows that the heat transfer strength is weakened in the second pass due to the interaction between the old main flow secondary flow and the new one. These two secondary flows are in opposite rotation direction, which reduces the disturbance and mass transfer strength in the channel.