Hub Cavity Research Articles

Numerical Investigation of the Fluid Flow Characteristics in the Hub Plate Crown of a Centrifugal Pump

Due to the lack of understanding in the flow mechanism of the hub plate crown, the current calculation of the disc friction loss and the axial thrust in the centrifugal pump often uses empirical formulas. Research on the flow characteristics of the hub plate crown is of practical significance. The shroud and hub cavities are respectively studied with regard to tangential and radial velocities at the four different angular positions (0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°) at the four different operational points (0.6Qsp, 0.8Qsp, 1.0Qsp, and 1.2Qsp). Results indicate that at the same operational point, the smaller the volute chamber sectional area is, the higher the tangential velocity of the fluid core zone of the shroud cavity is. Radial leakage flow from the volute to the seal ring at the same operational point appears in 0° and 90° direction; when the flow is large, the tangential and radial velocities of the shroud and hub cavities with the same radius tend to be equal with axial symmetry. The axial leakage flow through the balance holes significantly affects the radial distribution of both tangential and radial velocities of fluid flow in the hub cavity. The numerical calculation results of fluid leakage through the clearance of back sealing ring are in good agreement with the test results. Accordingly, the magnitude of leakage is closely related to the fluid pressure and velocity distribution in the hub plate crown of the centrifugal pump. The analysis of the flow characteristics in the hub plate crown of the centrifugal pump could reveal the cause of the disc friction loss from the mechanism, providing a significant guidance for improving the accuracy of calculation and balancing the axial thrust in the centrifugal pump.

Experimental Investigation of Turbine Stage Flow Field and Performance at Varying Cavity Purge Rates and Operating Speeds

The aspect of hub cavity purge has been investigated in a high-pressure axial low-reaction turbine stage. The cavity purge is an important part of the secondary air system, used to isolate the cavities below the hub level from the hot main annulus flow. A full-scale cold-flow experimental rig featuring a rotating stage was used in the investigation, quantifying main annulus flow field impact with respect to purge flow rate as it was injected upstream of the rotor. Five operating speeds were investigated of which three with respect to purge flow, namely, a high loading design case, and two high-speed points encompassing the peak efficiency. At each of these operating speeds, the amount of purge flow was varied from 0% to 2%. Observing the effect of the purge rate on measurement plane averaged parameters, a minor flow angle decrease and Mach number increase is seen for the low speed case, while maintaining near constant values for the higher operating speeds. The prominent effect due to purge is seen in the efficiency, showing a linear sensitivity to purge of 1.3%-points for every 1% of added purge flow for the investigated speeds. While spatial average values of flow angle and Mach number are essentially unaffected by purge injection, important spanwise variations are observed and highlighted. The secondary flow structure is strengthened in the hub region, leading to a generally increased over-turning and lowered flow velocity. Meanwhile, the added volume flow through the rotor leads to higher outlet flow velocities visible at higher span, with associated decreased turning. A radial efficiency distribution is utilized, showing negative impact through span heights from 15% to 70%. Pitchwise variation of investigated flow parameters is significantly influenced by purge flow, making this a parameter to include for instance when evaluating benefits of stator clocking positions.

The noise generated by a landing gear wheel with hub and rim cavities

Wheels are one of the major noise sources of landing gears. Accurate numerical predictions of wheel noise can provide an insight into the physical mechanism of landing gear noise generation and can aid in the design of noise control devices. The major noise sources of a 33% scaled isolated landing gear wheel are investigated by simulating three different wheel configurations using high-order numerical simulations to compute the flow field and the FW-H equation to obtain the far-field acoustic pressures. The baseline configuration is a wheel with a hub cavity and two rim cavities. Two additional simulations are performed; one with the hub cavity covered (NHC) and the other with both the hub cavity and rim cavities covered (NHCRC). These simulations isolate the effects of the hub cavity and rim cavities on the overall wheel noise. The surface flow patterns are visualised by shear stress lines and show that the flow separations and attachments on the side of the wheel, in both the baseline and the configuration with only the hub cavity covered, are significantly reduced by covering both the hub and rim cavities. A frequency-domain FW-H equation is used to identify the noise source regions on the surface of the wheel. The tyre is the main low frequency noise source and shows a lift dipole and side force dipole pattern depending on the frequency. The hub cavity is identified as the dominant middle frequency noise source and radiates in a frequency range centered around the first and second depth modes of the cylindrical hub cavity. The rim cavities are the main high-frequency noise sources. With the hub cavity and rim cavities covered, the largest reduction in Overall Sound Pressure Level (OASPL) is achieved in the hub side direction. In the other directivities, there is also a reduction in the radiated sound.

On the aero acoustic and internal flows structure in a centrifugal compressor with hub side cavity operating at off design condition

This paper covers the characterization of the acoustic noise and the unsteady flow field of a high speed centrifugal compressor NASA CC3. In order to accurately predict the noise, all analyses are carried out through the use of Large Eddy Simulation and Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings model for noise prediction. The relative effect of hub cavity on flow characteristics and sound levels is investigated, for a compressor stage with a total pressure ratio equal to 4, working from surge to near choke condition. In comparison with the experimental results from literature, the predicted compressor performance and flow field are predicted well, some trends seen in experiments are captured. The hub cavity flow effect on the compressor aero acoustic generated noise is shown in the paper. The unsteady static pressure and sound pressure levels are compared not only at different location but also for design and off design operating points. The internal flow results inside the hub cavity are presented at surge, design and near choke points. The conclusion is that the cavity effect of the centrifugal compressor cannot be ignored in the numerical prediction of aerodynamic generated noise. The impeller back plate of the rotor experiences a strong pressure fluctuation, which is maxima at the impeller outer radius for all operating point, but higher pressure values at the surge point.

Modulation and Radial Migration of Turbine Hub Cavity Modes by the Rim Seal Purge Flow

In the present paper, the results of an experimental and numerical investigation of the hub cavity modes and their migration into the main annulus flow are presented. A one-and-a-half stage, unshrouded and highly loaded axial turbine configuration with three-dimensionally shaped blades and cylindrical end walls has been tested in an axial turbine facility. Both the blade design and the rim seal purge flow path are representative to modern high-pressure gas turbines. The unsteady flow field at the hub cavity exit region has been measured with the fast-response aerodynamic probe (FRAP) for two different rim seal purge flow rates. Furthermore, fast-response wall-mounted pressure transducers have been installed inside the cavity. Unsteady full-annular computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations have been employed in order to complement the experimental work. The time-resolved pressure measurements inside the hub cavity reveal clear cavity modes, which show a strong dependency on the injected amount of rim seal purge flow. The numerical predictions provide information on the origin of these modes and relate them to pronounced ingestion spots around the circumference. The unsteady probe measurements at the rim seal interface show that the signature of the hub cavity induced modes migrates into the main annulus flow up to 30% blade span. Based on that, an aerodynamic loss mechanism has been found, showing that the benefit in loss reduction by decreasing the rim seal purge flow rate is weakened by the presence of turbine hub cavity modes.

Aeroacoustic Simulation for NASA CC3 Centrifugal Compressor Operating at off Design Condition

This paper covers the characterization of the acoustic noise and the unsteady flow field of a high speed centrifugal compressor NASA CC3. In order to accurately predict the noise, all analyses are carried out through the use of Large Eddy Simulation and Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings model for noise prediction. The relative effect of hub cavity on flow characteristics and sound levels is investigated, for a compressor stage with a total pressure ratio equal to 4, working from surge to near choke condition. In comparison with the experimental results from literature, the predicted compressor performance and flow field are predicted well. The hub cavity flow effect on the compressor aeroacoustic generated noise is shown in the paper. The unsteady static pressure and sound pressure levels are compared not only at different location but also for design and off design operating points. The internal flow results inside the hub cavity are presented at surge, design and near choke points. The conclusion is that the cavity effect of the centrifugal compressor cannot be ignored in the numerical prediction of aerodynamic generated noise. The impeller back plate of the rotor experiences a strong pressure fluctuation, which is maxima at the impeller outer radius for all operating point, but higher pressure values at the surge point.

Influence of Internal Hub Profile on Joining Process of Shaft-hub-connection by Lateral Extrusion

Mori et al. (2013) identified the current commercial requirements for higher performance, higher productivity, lower cost and joining of dissimilar materials to lead to a strong demand for new joining and especially joining by forming processes. When joining a shaft-hub-connection by lateral extrusion of the shaft a combination of form- and friction locked join is established. The internal hub profile which defines the form-closed joint in circumferential direction significantly affects the forming process and hence connection properties. The internal hub profile is mainly characterized by the profile eccentricity e, the number of teeth n and type of profile. This study mainly deals with the experimental investigations concerning the influence of the internal hub profile parameters on the forming process and part properties. To identify a suitable internal hub profile characterized by low punch forces, minimal and homogeneous radial deformations and high hub cavity filling numerous joining by forming processes are carried out wherein the mentioned profile parameters are varied. To evaluate the influence of internal hub profile the punch force-stroke curves, the roundness deviation of the hub and the hub cavity filling are used.

Heat Transfer in Turbine Hub Cavities Adjacent to the Main Gas Path

Reliable means of predicting heat transfer in cavities adjacent to the main gas path are increasingly being sought by engineers involved in the design of gas turbines. In this paper, an interim summary of the results of a five-year research program sponsored by the European Union (EU) and several leading gas turbine manufacturers and universities will be presented. Extensive use is made of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element (FE) modeling techniques to understand the thermo-mechanical behavior of a turbine stator well cavity, including the interaction of cooling air supply with the main annulus gas. The objective of the study has been to provide a means of optimizing the design of such cavities for maintaining a safe environment for critical parts, such as disc rims and blade fixings, while maximizing the turbine efficiency and minimizing the fuel burn and emissions penalties associated with the secondary airflow system. The modeling methods employed have been validated against data gathered from a dedicated two-stage turbine rig running at engine representative conditions. Extensive measurements are available for a range of flow conditions and alternative cooling arrangements. The analysis method has been used to inform a design change, which is also to be tested. Comparisons are provided between the predictions and measurements of the turbine stator well component temperature.

The Effect of Coolant Injection on the Endwall Flow of a High Pressure Turbine

This paper presents a study of the effects of two types of hub coolant injection on the rotor of a high pressure gas turbine stage. The first involves the leakage flow from the hub cavity into the mainstream. The second involves a deliberate injection of coolant from a row of angled holes from the edge of the stator hub. The aim of this study is to improve the distribution of the injected coolant on the rotor hub wall. To achieve this, it is necessary to understand how the coolant and leakage flows interact with the rotor secondary flows. The first part of the paper shows that the hub leakage flow is entrained into the rotor hub secondary flow and the negative incidence of the leakage strengthens the secondary flow and increases its penetration depth. Three-dimensional unsteady calculations were found to agree with fast response pressure probe measurements at the rotor exit of a low speed test turbine. The second part of the paper shows that increasing the injected coolant swirl angle reduced the secondary flow penetration depth, improves the coolant distribution on the rotor hub, and improves stage efficiency. Most of the coolant however, was still found to be entrained into the rotor secondary flow.