Nozomi Tanaka

Numerical and experimental studies on separated boundary layers over ultra-high lift low-pressure turbine cascade airfoils with variable solidity: Effects of free-stream turbulence

This paper deals with LES investigation, along with measurements, on the interaction between inlet freestream turbulence and boundary layers with separation bubble over ultra-high lift low-pressure turbine airfoils. The cross section of the test airfoils is typical for highly-loaded LP turbines for civil aeroengines. The solidity of the cascade can be reduced by increasing the airfoil pitch by at least 25%, while maintaining the throat in the blade-to-blade passage. Reynolds number examined is 57,000, based on chord length and averaged exit velocity. Free-stream turbulence is about 0.85% (no grid condition) and 2.1% (with grid condition). Hot-wire probe measurements of the boundary layer are carried out to obtain time-averaged and time-resolved characteristics of the boundary layers under the influence of the freestream turbulence. A newly developed probe positioning tool, which is installed downstream of the cascade with minimal blockage, enables precise probe positioning along lines normal to the airfoil surface. Numerical analysis based on high-resolution LES (Large-Eddy Simulation) is executed to enhance the understanding of the flow field around the Ultra-High Lift and High Lift LP turbine airfoils. Emphasis is placed on the relationship of inherent instability of the shear layer of the separation bubble and the free-stream turbulence. Standard Smagorinsky model is employed for subgrid scale modeling. The flow solver used is an in-house code that was originally developed by one of the authors as FVM (Finite Volume Method)-based fully implicit and time-accurate Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes code. Homogeneous isotropic turbulence created with SNGR (Stochastic Noise Generation and Radiation) method using von Karman-Pao turbulent energy spectrum is applied in the present study for the emulation of inlet turbulence.Copyright

Studies on Two-Dimensional Contouring of High-Lift Turbine Airfoil Suction Surface as Separation-Control Device: Separation Suppression Under Steady-State Flow Conditions

The study the present authors have been working on is to develop a new method to increase aerodynamic loading of low-pressure turbine airfoils for modern aeroengines to a great extent, which is to achieve drastic reduction of their airfoil counts. For this purpose, this study proposes two-dimensional contouring of the airfoil suction surface as a device to suppress the separation bubble that causes large aerodynamic loss, especially at low Reynolds number condition. The main objective of this paper is to show how and to what extent the surface contouring without any other disturbances affects the suction surface boundary layer accompanying separation bubble. For comparison, rather conventional tripping wire technique is also employed as “local 2D surface contouring” to generate flow disturbances in order to suppress the separation bubble. All measurements are carried out under steady-state flow conditions with low freestream turbulence. It turns out from the detailed experiments and LES analysis that the newly proposed two-dimensional contouring of the airfoil surface can effectively suppress the separation bubble, resulting in significant improvement of cascade aerodynamic performance.Copyright

Detailed Studies on Separated Boundary Layers Over Low-Pressure Turbine Airfoils Under Several High Lift Conditions: Effect of Freesteam Turbulence

This paper deals with experimental investigation on the interaction between inlet freestream turbulence and boundary layers with separation bubble on a low-pressure turbine airfoil under several High Lift conditions. Solidity of the cascade can be reduced by increasing the airfoil pitch by 25%, while maintaining the throat in the blade-to-blade passage. Reynolds number examined is 57000, based on chord length and averaged exit velocity. Freestream turbulence intensity at the inlet is varied from 0.80% (no grid condition) to 2.1% by use of turbulence grid. Hot-wire probe measurements of the boundary layer on the suction surface for Low Pressure (LP) turbines rotor are carried out to obtain time-averaged and time-resolved characteristics of the boundary layers under the influence of the freestream turbulence. Frequency analysis extracts some important features of the unsteady behaviors of the boundary layer, including vortex formation and shedding. Numerical analysis based on high resolution Large Eddy Simulation is also executed to enhance the understanding on the flow field around the highly loaded turbine airfoils. Standard Smagorinsky model is employed as subgrid scale model. Emphasis of the simulation is placed on the relationship of inherent instability of the shear layer of the separation bubble and the freestream turbulence.Copyright

Studies on High-Lift LP Turbine Airfoils of Aero Engines (Understanding of Boundary Layer Transitional Behaviour on Time-Space Diagram under the High Lift and Ultra High Lift Conditions)

This paper details experimental studies on the flow field around a linear cascade of low-pressure turbine airfoils whose solidity is changeable. Highly loaded low-pressure turbine (LPT) blades are one of the key paths to successful future aero-engines, however these blades are usually accompanied with separation bubble, eventually leading to the increase in aerodynamic performance. The purpose of this study is therefore to clarify any favorable effects of incoming wakes upon the aerodynamic loss of high-lift or ultra high-lift rotor blade cascade through the measurements of wake-affected boundary layers including separation bubble under low Reynolds number conditions. Cylindrical bars on the timing belts work as wake generator to emulate upstream stator wakes that impact the rotor blade. Hot-wire probe measurement is conducted over the blade suction surface to understand to what extent and how the incoming wakes affect the boundary layers containing separation bubble. Time-dependent transitional behaviors due to the wake passing are examined through the detailed inspection of several composite maps of flow properties displayed on time-space diagrams.