Linear Vane Cascade Research Articles

Sensitivity of the endwall flow in a linear vane cascade to blade fillet geometry

Based on the blade chord and inlet velocity, the current computational study uses a linear vane cascade with a large filleted blade-endwall junction with a 2.01 x 105 Reynolds number. Three fillets with related profiles are explored. To evaluate the upshots of geometric differences in a fillet attached to the endwall flow-field, the height and endwall-width of the fillets are changed. The RANS k-ω turbulent model is used in the computations, and the results are compared to experimental results from a similar cascade without the fillet. The computed results of the secondary flow-field in the endwall region along the cascade are compared for baseline (no fillet) and filleted passages. As a result of diminished leading-edge and passage vortices, the fillets lower pitchwise pressure gradients, flow separation, axial vorticity, and overall pressure losses when compared to the baseline. The pros of fillets on endwall secondary flows are however unaffected by fillet's geometric changes.

Upstream Endwall Film-Cooing in a Vane Cascade with Cylindrical Shape Holes

To overcome the disadvantages of cylindrical holes in film cooling, complex geometries of the fan-shaped diffused holes are employed in cascade investigations. The present experiment employs a new design of a diffused hole for film cooling that is formed by diffusing a cylindrical hole smoothly and only in the forward direction. The aerothermal performances in a linear vane cascade are compared between an array of simple cylindrical holes and an array of diffused-cylindrical holes by employing them in the cascade upstream endwall. The objectives are to increase the aerothermal performance of the cylindrical holes in the gas-turbine passage film cooling. The measurements of the temperature, velocity, flow angle, and total-pressure losses are obtained at the inlet Reynolds number of , as well as the coolant-to-mainstream density ratio of 1.0 and temperature ratios between 0.94 and 1.0. Four inlet blowing ratios of film-cooling flow are tested. The results show less coolant migration into the boundary layer and passage vortex for the diffused holes than for the cylindrical holes. The passage vortex becomes weaker, and the overall total-pressure losses at the passage exit are lower for the diffused holes. The local and average adiabatic film-cooling effectivenesses along the endwall are always higher for the diffused holes.

Numerical Predictions of Turbine Cascade Secondary Flows and Heat Transfer With Inflow Turbulence

Abstract Turbine passage secondary flows are studied for a large rounded leading edge airfoil geometry considered in the experimental investigation of Varty et al. (“Vane Suction Surface Heat Transfer in Regions of Secondary Flows: The Influence of Turbulence Level, Reynolds Number, and the Endwall Boundary Condition,” ASME J. Turbomach., 140(2), p. 021010) using high resolution large eddy simulation. The complex nature of secondary flow formation and evolution are affected by the approach boundary layer characteristics, components of pressure gradients tangent and normal to the passage flow, surface curvature, and inflow turbulence. This paper presents a detailed description of the secondary flows and heat transfer in a linear vane cascade at exit chord Reynolds number of 5 × 105 at low and high inflow turbulence. Initial flow turning at the leading edge of the inlet boundary layer leads to a pair of counter-rotating flow circulation in each half of the cross plane that drives the evolution of the pressure side and suction side of the near-wall vortices such as the horseshoe and leading edge corner vortex. The passage vortex for the current large leading edge vane is formed by the amplification of the initially formed circulation closer to the pressure side (PPC) which strengthens and merges with other vortex systems while moving towards the suction side. The predicted suction surface heat transfer shows good agreement with the measurements and properly captures the augmented heat transfer due to the formation and lateral spreading of the secondary flows towards the vane midspan downstream of the vane passage. Effects of various components of the secondary flows on the endwall and vane heat transfer are discussed in detail.

The Effect of Hot Streaks on a High Pressure Turbine Vane Cascade with Showerhead Film Cooling

Hot streak migration in a linear vane cascade with showerhead film cooling was experimentally and numerically investigated at isentropic exit Mach number of Ma2is = 0.40, with an inlet turbulence intensity level of Tu1 = 9%. Two tangential positions of the hot streak center were taken into account: 0% of pitch (hot streak is aligned with the vane leading edge) and 45% of pitch. After demonstrating that computations correctly predict hot streak attenuation through the vane passage with no showerhead blowing, the numerical method was used to investigate hot streak interaction with showerhead film cooling, at blowing ratio of BR = 3.0, corresponding to a coolant-to-mainstream mass flow ratio of MFR = 1.15%. The effects of mixing and coolant interaction on the hot streak reduction were interpreted under the light of the superposition principle, whose accuracy was within 12% on the leading edge region, in the central section of the vane span.

Combustor Dilution Hole Placement and Its Effect on the Turbine Inlet Flowfield

Dilution jets in a gas turbine combustor are used to oxidize remaining fuel from the main flame zone in the combustor and to homogenize the temperature field upstream of the turbine section through highly turbulent mixing. The high-momentum injection generates high levels of turbulence and very effective turbulent mixing. However, mean flow distortions and large-scale turbulence can persist into the turbine section. In this study, a dilution hole configuration was scaled from a rich-burn–quench–lean-burn combustor and used in conjunction with a linear vane cascade in a large-scale, low-speed wind tunnel. Mean and turbulent flowfield data were obtained at the vane leading edge with the use of high-speed particle image velocimetry to help quantify the effect of the dilution jets in the turbine section. The dilution hole pattern was shifted (clocked) for two positions such that a large dilution jet was located directly upstream of a vane or in between vanes. Time-averaged results show that the large dilution jets have a significant impact on the magnitude and orientation of the flow entering the turbine. Turbulence levels of 40% or greater were observed approaching the vane leading edge, with integral length scales of approximately 40% of the dilution jet diameter. Incidence angle and turbulence level were dependent on the position of the dilution jets relative to the vane.

Studying a linear vane cascade at low values of reynolds number

Experimental and calculated values of losses in a linear vane cascade in subsonic and supersonic modes of operation at low values of Reynolds number are presented. It is shown that the profile losses increase in this case especially intensely at a decreased level of corrected velocity at the outlet λ2is. The influence of low Reynolds numbers on the profile losses becomes low at subsonic values of λ2is.

A Comparison of Cylindrical and Fan-Shaped Film-Cooling Holes on a Vane Endwall at Low and High Freestream Turbulence Levels

Fan-shaped film-cooling holes have been shown to provide superior cooling performance to cylindrical holes along flat plates and turbine airfoils over a large range of different conditions. Benefits of fan-shaped holes include less required cooling air for the same performance, increased part lifetime, and fewer required holes. The major drawback, however, is increased manufacturing cost and manufacturing difficulty, particularly for the vane platform region. To this point, there have only been extremely limited comparisons between cylindrical and shaped holes on a turbine endwall at either low or high freestream turbulence conditions. This study presents film-cooling effectiveness measurements on an endwall surface in a large-scale, low-speed, two-passage, linear vane cascade. Results showed that film-cooling effectiveness decreased with increasing blowing rate for the cylindrical holes, indicating jet liftoff. However, the fan-shaped passage showed increased film-cooling effectiveness with increasing blowing ratio. Overall, fan-shaped holes increased film-cooling effectiveness by an average of 75% over cylindrical holes for constant cooling flow.

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.

An Experimental Investigation of Endwall Heat Transfer and Aerodynamics in a Linear Vane Cascade

The purpose of this experimental investigation was to produce a data base of end-wall heat transfer data under conditions that simulate those in the passage of the first-stage stator in advanced turbine engines. The data base is intended to be sufficiently complete to provide verification data for refined computational models, and to provide a basis for advanced core engine endwall cooling designs. A linear, two-dimensional cascade was used to generate the data base. The test plan provided data to examine the effects of exit Mach number, exit Reynolds number, inlet boundary layer thickness, gas-to-wall temperature ratio, inlet pressure gradients, and inlet temperature gradients. The data generated consist of inlet, intrapassage, and exit aerodynamic data plus intrapassage endwall heat flux, adiabatic wall temperature measurements, and inlet turbulence data.