Three-Dimensional Film-Cooled Vane CFD Simulations and Preliminary Comparison to Experiments

Abstract

Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are conducted using the Wilcox k-ω turbulence model within a code called LEO on a threedimensional fully film-cooled modern turbine inlet vane called the High Impact Technologies (HIT) Research Turbine Vane (RTV). External flows at operating conditions around the vane and their interaction with film cooling flows from the vane leading edge, pressure side (PS), suction side (SS), trailing edge, and hub and tip endwalls are modeled. The film cooling is modeled using a local source term in the governing equations for the added mass flux at the appropriate locations in the fluid domain along the vane surface. Cooled and uncooled isothermal vane simulations are conducted. Predictions of stream-wise distributions of heat flux and net heat flux reduction (NHFR) at two span locations are provided and compared to vane-only-configuration heat flux data recently obtained in the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Turbine Research Facility (TRF) short-duration blowdown facility. Details on proper matching of experimental boundary conditions for the CFD simulations are also given in order to provide a validation case for the maturing CFD code. Uncooled and cooled experimental data show appropriate relative trends, as do the uncooled and cooled predictions. However, comparing heat flux data to predictions shows disparities that require further investigation of the cooling modeling technique and appropriate assumptions going into the model.