Detlef Korte

Nonreflecting Boundary Conditions for Aeroelastic Analysis in Time and Frequency Domain 3D RANS Solvers

This paper describes the implementation of a set of nonreflecting boundary conditions of increasing approximation quality for time-accurate and time-linearized 3D RANS solvers in the time and frequency domain. The implementations are based on the computation of eigenfunctions, either analytically or numerically, of the linearized Euler or Navier-Stokes equations for increasingly complex background flows. This results in a hierarchy of nonreflecting boundary conditions based on 1D characteristics, 2D circumferential mode decomposition, and 3D circumferential and radial mode decomposition, including viscous effects in the latter, for the frequency domain solver. By applying a Fourier transform in time at the boundaries the frequency domain implementations can be employed in the time domain solver as well. The limitations of each approximation are discussed and it is shown that increasing the precision of the boundary treatment the nonreflecting property of the boundary conditions is preserved for more complex flows without incurring an excessive increase in computing time.Results of a flutter analysis of a low pressure turbine blade obtained by time and frequency domain simulations are validated against each other and against reference results obtained with a 3D Euler frequency domain solver. The comparison of the results for different boundary conditions reveals the importance of using high quality boundary conditions.Copyright

Unsteady Work Processes Within a Low Pressure Turbine Vane Passage

A two-stage low pressure turbine is tested within the co-operation project between the Institute of Aircraft Propulsion Systems (ILA) and MTU Aero Engines GmbH. With experimental data taken in the altitude test facility this study aims to analyze the origin and effect of unsteady pressure fluctuations causing unsteady work in the second stator vane. Measurements at aerodynamic design conditions cover steady and unsteady surface pressure data on the mid span streamline position. Unsteady pressure fluctuations are identified close to the throat plane area, which are influenced by both upstream and downstream events such as wake and potential field interaction. Upstream moving static pressure waves can be identified. To support the experimental results, URANS CFD predictions of the whole turbine configuration were performed. The numerical approach is suitable to reproduce the observed phenomena and allows a deeper investigation. The observed pressure pulsations influence the local unsteady work done to and by the fluid. An evaluation of particle paths in the second stator vane indicates an isentropic energy transfer from free stream to wake fluid. Due to this unsteady energy exchange the momentum deficit of the wake gets reduced, resulting in a potential benefit on the mixing loss.Copyright