CFD Aerodynamic Performance Validation of a Two-Stage High Pressure Turbine

Author(s):  
Murari Sridhar ◽  
Sathish Sunnam ◽  
Shraman Goswami ◽  
Jong S. Liu

In the continual effort to improve analysis and design techniques, Honeywell is investigating on the use of CFD to predict the aerodynamic performance of a high pressure turbine. The present study has a two fold objective. The first objective is to validate the commercially available CFD codes for aerodynamic performance prediction of a two-stage high pressure turbine at design and off-design points. The other objective is to establish guidelines to help the designer to successfully.set-up and execute the suitable CFD model analysis. The validation to model the stage interfaces is performed with three different types of approaches such as Mixing Plane approach, Frozen Rotor approach and NonLinear Harmonic approach. The film holes on the blade surface, hub and the shroud walls are modeled by using source term cooling and actual film hole modeling techniques for all the analysis. The validation is accomplished with the test results of a two-stage high pressure turbine, Energy Efficient Engine (E3). The aerodynamic performance data at a design point and typical off-design point are taken as test cases for the validation study. One dimensional performance parameters such as corrected mass flow rate, total pressure ratio, cycle efficiency along with two dimensional spanwise distribution of total pressure, total temperature which are obtained from CFD results are compared with test data. Flow field results are presented to understand the aerodynamic behavior.

Author(s):  
Sridhar Murari ◽  
Sathish Sunnam ◽  
Jong S. Liu

With the advent of fast computers and availability of less costly memory resources, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has emerged as a powerful tool for the design and analysis of flow and heat transfer of high pressure turbine stages. CFD gives an insight in to flow patterns that are difficult, expensive or impossible to study using experimental techniques. However, the application of CFD depends on its accuracy and reliability. This requires the CFD code to be validated with laboratory measurements to ensure its predictive capacity. In the continual effort to improve analysis and design techniques, Honeywell has been investigating in the use of CFD to predict the aerodynamic performance of a high pressure turbine. Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS), unsteady models like detached eddy simulation (DES), large eddy simulation (LES), and Scale Adaptive Simulation (SAS) are used to predict the aerodynamic performance of a high pressure turbine. Mixing plane approach is used to address the flow data transport across the stationary interface in RANS simulation. The film holes on blade surface and end walls for all the analysis are modeled by using actual film hole modeling technique. The validation is accomplished with the test results of a high pressure turbine, Energy Efficient Engine (E3). The aerodynamic performance data at design point, typical off-design points are taken as test cases for the validation study. One dimensional performance parameters such as corrected mass flow rate, total pressure ratio, cycle efficiency, and two dimensional spanwise distributions of total pressure, total temperature and flow angle that are obtained from CFD results are compared with test data. Streamlines and flow field results at different measurement planes are presented to understand the aerodynamic behavior.


Author(s):  
Harjit S. Hura ◽  
Scott Carson ◽  
Rob Saeidi ◽  
Hyoun-Woo Shin ◽  
Paul Giel

This paper describes the engine and rig design, and test results of an ultra-highly loaded single stage high pressure turbine. In service aviation single stage HPTs typically operate at a total-to-total pressure ratio of less than 4.0. At higher pressure ratios or energy extraction the nozzle and blade both have regions of supersonic flow and shock structures which, if not mitigated, can result in a large loss in efficiency both in the turbine itself and due to interaction with the downstream component which may be a turbine center frame or a low pressure turbine. Extending the viability of the single stage HPT to higher pressure ratios is attractive as it enables a compact engine with less weight, and lower initial and maintenance costs as compared to a two stage HPT. The present work was performed as part of the NASA UEET (Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology) program from 2002 through 2005. The goal of the program was to design and rig test a cooled single stage HPT with a pressure ratio of 5.5 with an efficiency at least two points higher than the state of the art. Preliminary design tools and a design of experiments approach were used to design the flow path. Stage loading and through-flow were set at appropriate levels based on prior experience on high pressure ratio single stage turbines. Appropriate choices of blade aspect ratio, count, and reaction were made based on comparison with similar HPT designs. A low shock blading design approach was used to minimize the shock strength in the blade during design iterations. CFD calculations were made to assess performance. The HPT aerodynamics and cooling design was replicated and tested in a high speed rig at design point and off-design conditions. The turbine met or exceeded the expected performance level based on both steady state and radial/circumferential traverse data. High frequency dynamic total pressure measurements were made to understand the presence of unsteadiness that persists in the exhaust of a transonic turbine.


Author(s):  
Cheng-Wei Fei ◽  
Wen-Zhong Tang ◽  
Guang-chen Bai ◽  
Zhi-Ying Chen

Around the engineering background of the probabilistic design of high-pressure turbine (HPT) blade-tip radial running clearance (BTRRC) which conduces to the high-performance and high-reliability of aeroengine, a distributed collaborative extremum response surface method (DCERSM) was proposed for the dynamic probabilistic analysis of turbomachinery. On the basis of investigating extremum response surface method (ERSM), the mathematical model of DCERSM was established. The DCERSM was applied to the dynamic probabilistic analysis of BTRRC. The results show that the blade-tip radial static clearance δ = 1.82 mm is advisable synthetically considering the reliability and efficiency of gas turbine. As revealed by the comparison of three methods (DCERSM, ERSM, and Monte Carlo method), the DCERSM reshapes the possibility of the probabilistic analysis for turbomachinery and improves the computational efficiency while preserving computational accuracy. The DCERSM offers a useful insight for BTRRC dynamic probabilistic analysis and optimization. The present study enrichs mechanical reliability analysis and design theory.


Author(s):  
Thomas E. Dyson ◽  
David B. Helmer ◽  
James A. Tallman

This paper presents sliding-mesh unsteady CFD simulations of high-pressure turbine sections of a modern aviation engine in an extension of previously presented work [1]. The simulation included both the first and second stages of a two-stage high-pressure turbine. Half-wheel domains were used, with source terms representing purge and film flows. The end-wall flow-path cavities were incorporated in the domain to a limited extent. The passage-to-passage variation in thermal predictions was compared for a 1D and 2D turbine inlet boundary condition. Substantial impact was observed on both first and second stage vanes despite the mixing from the first stage blade. Qualitative and quantitative differences in surface temperature distributions were observed due to different ratios between airfoil counts in the two domains.


Author(s):  
Brian R. Green ◽  
Randall M. Mathison ◽  
Michael G. Dunn

The effect of rotor purge flow on the unsteady aerodynamics of a high-pressure turbine stage operating at design corrected conditions has been investigated both experimentally and computationally. The experimental configuration consisted of a single-stage high-pressure turbine with a modern film-cooling configuration on the vane airfoil as well as the inner and outer end-wall surfaces. Purge flow was introduced into the cavity located between the high-pressure vane and the high-pressure disk. The high-pressure blades and the downstream low-pressure turbine nozzle row were not cooled. All hardware featured an aerodynamic design typical of a commercial high-pressure ratio turbine, and the flow path geometry was representative of the actual engine hardware. In addition to instrumentation in the main flow path, the stationary and rotating seals of the purge flow cavity were instrumented with high frequency response, flush-mounted pressure transducers and miniature thermocouples to measure flow field parameters above and below the angel wing. Predictions of the time-dependent flow field in the turbine flow path were obtained using FINE/Turbo, a three-dimensional, Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes CFD code that had the capability to perform both steady and unsteady analysis. The steady and unsteady flow fields throughout the turbine were predicted using a three blade-row computational model that incorporated the purge flow cavity between the high-pressure vane and disk. The predictions were performed in an effort to mimic the design process with no adjustment of boundary conditions to better match the experimental data. The time-accurate predictions were generated using the harmonic method. Part I of this paper concentrates on the comparison of the time-averaged and time-accurate predictions with measurements in and around the purge flow cavity. The degree of agreement between the measured and predicted parameters is described in detail, providing confidence in the predictions for flow field analysis that will be provided in Part II.


Author(s):  
Lucas Pawsey ◽  
David John Rajendran ◽  
Vassilios Pachidis

An unlocated shaft failure in the high pressure turbine spool of an engine may result in a complex orbiting motion along with rearward axial displacement of the high pressure turbine rotor sub-assembly. This is due to the action of resultant forces and limitations imposed by constraints such as the bearings and turbine casing. Such motion of the rotor following an unlocated shaft failure, results in the development of multiple contacts between the components of the rotor sub-assembly, the turbine casing, and the downstream stator casing. Typically, in the case of shrouded rotor blades, the tip region is in the form of a seal with radial protrusions called ‘fins’ between the rotor blade and the turbine casing. The contact between the rotor blade and the turbine casing will therefore result in excessive wear of the tip seal fins, resulting in changes in the geometry of the tip seal domain that affects the characteristics of the tip leakage vortex. The rotor sub-assembly with worn seals may also be axially displaced rearwards, and consequent to this displacement, changes in the geometry of the rotor blade may occur because of the contact between the rotor sub-assembly and the downstream stator casing. An integrated approach of structural analyses, secondary air system dynamics, and 3D CFD is adopted in the present study to quantify the effect of the tip seal damage and axial displacement on the aerodynamic performance of the turbine stage. The resultant geometry after wearing down of the fins in the tip seal, and rearward axial displacement of the rotor sub-assembly is obtained from LS-DYNA simulations. 3D RANS analyses are carried out to quantify the aerodynamic performance of the turbine with worn fins in the tip seal at three different axial displacement locations i.e. 0 mm, 10 mm and 15 mm. The turbine performance parameters are then compared with equivalent cases in which the fins in the tip seal are intact for the same turbine axial displacement locations. From this study it is noted that the wearing of tip seal fins results in reduced turbine torque, power output and efficiency, consequent to changes in the flow behaviour in the turbine passages. The reduction in turbine torque will result in the reduction of the terminal speed of the rotor during an unlocated shaft failure. Therefore, a design modification that can lead to rapid wearing of the fins in the tip seal after an unlocated shaft failure holds promise for the management of a potential over-speed event.


Author(s):  
Richard Celestina ◽  
Spencer Sperling ◽  
Louis Christensen ◽  
Randall Mathison ◽  
Hakan Aksoy ◽  
...  

Abstract This paper presents the development and implementation of a new generation of double-sided heat-flux gauges at The Ohio State University Gas Turbine Laboratory (GTL) along with heat transfer measurements for film-cooled airfoils in a single-stage high-pressure transonic turbine operating at design corrected conditions. Double-sided heat flux gauges are a critical part of turbine cooling studies, and the new generation improves upon the durability and stability of previous designs while also introducing high-density layouts that provide better spatial resolution. These new customizable high-density double-sided heat flux gauges allow for multiple heat transfer measurements in a small geometric area such as immediately downstream of a row of cooling holes on an airfoil. Two high-density designs are utilized: Type A consists of 9 gauges laid out within a 5 mm by 2.6 mm (0.20 inch by 0.10 inch) area on the pressure surface of an airfoil, and Type B consists of 7 gauges located at points of predicted interest on the suction surface. Both individual and high-density heat flux gauges are installed on the blades of a transonic turbine experiment for the second build of the High-Pressure Turbine Innovative Cooling program (HPTIC2). Run in a short duration facility, the single-stage high-pressure turbine operated at design-corrected conditions (matching corrected speed, flow function, and pressure ratio) with forward and aft purge flow and film-cooled blades. Gauges are placed at repeated locations across different cooling schemes in a rainbow rotor configuration. Airfoil film-cooling schemes include round, fan, and advanced shaped cooling holes in addition to uncooled airfoils. Both the pressure and suction surfaces of the airfoils are instrumented at multiple wetted distance locations and percent spans from roughly 10% to 90%. Results from these tests are presented as both time-average values and time-accurate ensemble averages in order to capture unsteady motion and heat transfer distribution created by strong secondary flows and cooling flows.


Author(s):  
Kenta Mizutori ◽  
Koji Fukudome ◽  
Makoto Yamamoto ◽  
Masaya Suzuki

Abstract We performed numerical simulation to understand deposition phenomena on high-pressure turbine vane. Several deposition models were compared and the OSU model showed good adaptation to any flow field and material, so it was implemented on UPACS. After the implementation, the simulations of deposition phenomenon in several cases of the flow field were conducted. From the results, particles adhere on the leading edge and the trailing edge side of the pressure surface. Also, the calculation of the total pressure loss coefficient was conducted after computing the flow field after deposition. The total pressure loss coefficient increased after deposition and it was revealed that the deposition deteriorates aerodynamic performance.


Author(s):  
Prasert Prapamonthon ◽  
Bo Yin ◽  
Guowei Yang ◽  
Mohan Zhang

Abstract To obtain high power and thermal efficiency, the 1st stage nozzle guide vanes of a high-pressure turbine need to operate under serious circumstances from burned gas coming out of combustors. This leads to vane suffering from effects of high thermal load, high pressure and turbulence, including flow-separated transition. Therefore, it is necessary to improve vane cooling performance under complex flow and heat transfer phenomena caused by the integration of these effects. In fact, these effects on a high-pressure turbine vane are controlled by several factors such as turbine inlet temperature, pressure ratio, turbulence intensity and length scale, vane curvature and surface roughness. Furthermore, if the vane is cooled by film cooling, hole configuration and blowing ratio are important factors too. These factors can change the aerothermal conditions of the vane operation. The present work aims to numerically predict sensitivity of cooling performances of the 1st stage nozzle guide vane under aerodynamic and thermal variations caused by three parameters i.e. pressure ratio, coolant inlet temperature and height of vane surface roughness using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) approach. Numerical results show that the coolant inlet temperature and the vane surface roughness parameters have significant effects on the vane temperature, thereby affecting the vane cooling performances significantly and sensitively.


Author(s):  
Gernot Eisenlohr ◽  
Hartmut Krain ◽  
Franz-Arno Richter ◽  
Valentin Tiede

In an industrial research project of German and Swiss Turbo Compressor manufacturers a high pressure ratio centrifugal impeller was designed and investigated. Performance measurements and extensive laser measurements (L2F) of the flow field upstream, along the blade passage and downstream of the impeller have been carried out. In addition to that, 3D calculations have been performed, mainly for the design point. Results have been presented by Krain et al., 1995 and 1998, Eisenlohr et al., 1998 and Hah et al.,1999. During the design period of this impeller a radial blade at the inlet region was mandatory to avoid a rub at the shroud due to stress reasons. The measurements and the 3D calculations performed later, however, showed a flow separation at the hub near the leading edge due to too high incidence. Additionally a rather large exit width and a high shroud curvature near the exit caused a flow separation near the exit, which is enlarged by the radially transported wake of the already addressed hub separation. Changes to the hub blade angle distribution to reduce the hub incidence and an adaptation of the shroud blade angle distribution for the same impeller mass-flow at the design point were investigated by means of 3D calculations first with the same contours at hub and shroud; this was followed by calculations with a major change of the shroud contour including an exit width change with a minor variation of the hub contour. These calculations showed encouraging results; some of them will be presented in conjunction with the geometry data of the original impeller design.


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