Endwall Heat Transfer Distributions Research Articles

The Influence of Turbulence and Reynolds Number on Endwall Heat Transfer in a Vane Cascade

Abstract Endwall heat transfer measurements have been acquired in a vane cascade over a range of turbulence conditions and Reynolds numbers using an array of small commercial infrared (IR) cameras. The linear cascade was tested over five inlet turbulence conditions ranging from low turbulence (0.7%) to high turbulence (17.4%) and three exit chord Reynolds numbers ranging from 500,000 to 2,000,000. The small commercial IR cameras made by Therm-App have a resolution of 384 by 288 pixels and were connected to individual smartphones to record the images. The cascade was modified with small zinc selenide windows to provide IR access for the cameras. The five cameras were calibrated against a constant temperature test plate and the output images were adjusted for the fisheye effect and thermal droop at the edges. The large-scale low-speed cascade, used in the endwall heat transfer study, was configured in a four-vane three full passage arrangement. The vane design includes a large leading and aft loading. This same cascade has been used in the acquisition of vane surface heat transfer distributions, vane suction surface heat transfer visualizations, and vane surface film cooling distributions. This paper includes comparisons with two large eddy simulation calculations, which were conducted prior to the acquisition of the heat transfer data. The influence of the secondary flows on the endwall heat transfer distributions, including the leading edge horseshoe vortex system, is particularly visible at lower turbulence levels and lower Reynolds numbers. However, at higher turbulence levels, the influence of secondary flows is less visible but the influence of Reynolds number and turbulence on transition can be discerned.

Effects of Wakes on Blade Endwall Heat Transfer in High Turbulence Intensity

Abstract Detailed heat transfer measurements are necessary to protect the blades under harsh and complex flow conditions. Therefore, this study investigated the heat transfer characteristics on the blade endwall under flow conditions that simulate high turbulence intensity of the main flow and the generation of wakes by the trailing edge of the vane. The endwall heat transfer was measured using the naphthalene sublimation method. A turbulence generating grid was installed in a linear cascade to simulate the main flow with high turbulence intensity and a wake generator with a rod bundle was used to simulate the wakes generated by the trailing edge of the vane. In the case of high turbulence intensity without wakes, the main flow with high turbulence intensity (turbulence intensity, T.I = 7.5%) had little impact on the effect of the horseshoe vortex and passage vortex on the heat transfer characteristics. However, increasing turbulence caused the endwall heat transfer to decrease near the pressure side of the blade and increase near the suction side of the blade. On the other hand, the wakes resulted in heat transfer characteristics similar to high turbulence intensity but decreased heat transfer by horseshoe vortex and passage vortex. The endwall heat transfer distributions were similar regardless of the turbulence intensity (T.I = 1.2% and 7.5%) in the cases with wakes (rod passing Strouhal number, S = 0.3). The flow condition of S = 0.3 has a more significant influence on the endwall heat transfer than that of T.I = 7.5%.

Experimental Investigation of Turbine Leakage Flows on the Three-Dimensional Flow Field and Endwall Heat Transfer

Within a European research project, the tip endwall region of low pressure turbine guide vanes with leakage ejection was investigated at DLR in Göttingen. For this purpose a new cascade wind tunnel with three large profiles in the test section and a contoured endwall was designed and built, representing 50% height of a real low pressure turbine stator and simulating the casing flow field of shrouded vanes. The effect of tip leakage flow was simulated by blowing air through a small leakage gap in the endwall just upstream of the vane leading edges. Engine relevant turbulence intensities were adjusted by an active turbulence generator mounted in the test section inlet plane. The experiments were performed with tangential and perpendicular leakage ejection and varying leakage mass flow rates up to 2%. Aerodynamic and thermodynamic measurement techniques were employed. Pressure distribution measurements provided information about the endwall and vane surface pressure field and its variation with leakage flow. Additionally streamline patterns (local shear stress directions) on the walls were detected by oil flow visualization. Downstream traverses with five-hole pyramid type probes allow a survey of the secondary flow behavior in the cascade exit plane. The flow field in the near endwall area downstream of the leakage gap and around the vane leading edges was investigated using a 2D particle image velocimetry system. In order to determine endwall heat transfer distributions, the wall temperatures were measured by an infrared camera system, while heat fluxes at the surfaces were generated with electric operating heating foils. It turned out from the experiments that distinct changes in the secondary flow behavior and endwall heat transfer occur mainly when the leakage mass flow rate is increased from 1% to 2%. Leakage ejection perpendicular to the main flow direction amplifies the secondary flow, in particular the horseshoe vortex, whereas tangential leakage ejection causes a significant reduction of this vortex system. For high leakage mass flow rates the boundary layer flow at the endwall is strongly affected and seems to be highly turbulent, resulting in entirely different heat transfer distributions.

Effects of Catalytic and Dry Low NOx Combustor Turbulence on Endwall Heat Transfer Distributions

Endwall heat transfer distributions taken in a large-scale low speed linear cascade facility are documented for mock catalytic and dry low NOx (DLN) combustion systems. Inlet turbulence levels range from about 1.0% for the mock catalytic combustor condition to 14% for the mock dry low NOx combustor system. Stanton number contours are presented at both turbulence conditions for Reynolds numbers based on true chord length and exit conditions ranging from 500,000 to 2,000,000. Catalytic combustor endwall heat transfer shows the influence of the complex three-dimensional flow field, while the effects of individual vortex systems are less evident for the mock dry low NOx cases. Turbulence scales have been documented for both cases. Inlet boundary layers are relatively thin for both the mock catalytic and DLN combustor cases. Inlet boundary layer parameters are presented across the inlet passage for the three Reynolds numbers and both the mock catalytic and DLN combustor inlet cases. Both midspan and 95% span pressure contours are included. This research provides a well-documented database taken across a range of Reynolds numbers and turbulence conditions for assessment of endwall heat transfer predictive capabilities.

Effects of Aeroderivative Combustor Turbulence on Endwall Heat Transfer Distributions Acquired in a Linear Vane Cascade

Vane endwall heat transfer distributions are documented for a mock aeroderivative combustion system and for a low turbulence condition in a large-scale low speed linear cascade facility. Inlet turbulence levels range from below 0.7% for the low turbulence condition to 14% for the mock combustor system. Stanton number contours are presented at both turbulence conditions for Reynolds numbers based on true chord length and exit conditions ranging from 500,000 to 2,000,000. Low turbulence endwall heat transfer shows the influence of the complex three-dimensional flow field, while the effects of individual vortex systems are less evident for the high turbulence cases. Turbulent scale has been documented for the high turbulence case. Inlet boundary layers are relatively thin for the low turbulence case, while inlet flow approximates a nonequilibrium or high turbulence channel flow for the mock combustor case. Inlet boundary layer parameters are presented across the inlet passage for the three Reynolds numbers and both the low turbulence and mock combustor inlet cases. Both midspan and 95% span pressure contours are included. This research provides a well-documented database taken across a range of Reynolds numbers and turbulence conditions for assessment of endwall heat transfer predictive capabilities.