On the topology of vortex structures and heat transfer of a gas turbine blade internal tip with different arrangement of delta-winglet vortex generators

Abstract

Abstract This paper aims to provide a novel enhanced heat transfer method for the internal tip surface of a U bend channel of relevance for a gas turbine rotor blade. The DWVGs (delta-winglet vortex generators) pair is arranged at multiple locations on the tip surface. Two types of vortex generators are studied, including common-flow-up and common-flow-down configurations. The inlet channel Reynolds number varies from 10,000 to 50,000. The topological analysis method is used to determine the formation and evolution of the vortices and to better understand the mechanism of the heat transfer enhancement. Results of skin-friction lines, topological portrait, Nusselt number, friction factor, thermal performance are included. The results show that due to the interaction among the vortices surrounding the vortex generators, the DWVGs pair in common-flow-up configuration has a slight heat transfer improvement, and is not sensitive to the tip location. However, the DWVGs pair in common-flow-down configuration placed at the downstream of the tip surface improved the heat transfer significantly as the induced vortices between the turbulator pairs effectively reduce the thickness of the boundary layer. Compared with the smooth U bend channel, the optimal design shows that the heat transfer and overall thermal performance can be increased by up to 7.4% and 6.8%, respectively. This study elaborates the flow and heat transfer processes from the perspective of topology, which is helpful in the design of cooling procedures of turbine blades.