A review of turbomachinery tip gap effects : Part 1: Cascades

This two part review covers experiments examining the effects of blade tip gaps encountered in turbomachines and the methods by which the synthesised data are currently used in turbomachine design and analysis. Data gained since the 1930's are subdivided for convenience into cascade (Part 1) and rotating machinery¹ (Part 2) data, with a further subdivision into diffusing, or compressor type flows and accelerating, or turbine type flows. The overall trend is that an increasing tip gap, whose effect can reach over most or all of the blade height, reduces turbomachine performance. There is some evidence among the compressor and compressor cascade data that an optimum gap exists when the opposing effects of secondary flows and tip leakage with rotor/wall relative movement tend to balance. Turbine data are, in general, more regular than the body of compressor data, possibly because of the enhanced effect of, usually, undefined boundary layers in diffusing flow in the latter. Comment is made in Part 2 on the predictive and design models reported in the literature     

透平机械叶尖间隙流场研究的进展

叶尖间隙流动对透平机械性能有很大影响。长期以来,叶尖间隙流动机理一直是透平机械领域研究的一个热点,同时也是一个尚未认识清楚的难点。把叶尖间隙内流动的研究进展分成两个部分:一部分是透平叶栅和透平转子内部叶尖间隙流场的研究进展,另一部分是压气机叶栅和压气机转子内部叶尖间隙流场的研究进展。对目前叶尖间隙研究集中的问题,如泄漏涡系结构,泄漏流动模型,泄漏涡旋涡强度的变化,泄漏涡和激波的相互作用等进行了简要的总结。文中还对透平机械叶尖间隙泄漏流动常用的数值计算方法进行了总结。认为今后应进一步对以下问题进行研究,其中包括研究高速透平机械叶尖泄漏涡旋涡强度变化问题,径流式叶轮机械叶尖间隙泄漏流动过程及泄漏涡发生发展规律问题,泄漏涡与激波相互作用产生阻塞区域的大小问题。      

Characterization of the tip clearance flow in an axial compressor using 3-D digital PIV

The accurate characterization and simulation of rotor tip clearance flows has received much attention in recent years due to their impact on compressor performance and stability. At NASA Glenn the first known three dimensional digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) measurements of the tip region of a low speed compressor rotor have been acquired to characterize the behavior of the rotor tip clearance flow. The measurements were acquired phase-locked to the rotor position so that changes in the tip clearance vortex position relative to the rotor blade can be seen. The DPIV technique allows the magnitude and relative contributions of both the asynchronous motions of a coherent structure and the temporal unsteadiness to be evaluated. Comparison of measurements taken at the peak efficiency and at near stall operating conditions characterizes the mean position of the clearance vortex and the changes in the unsteady behavior of the vortex with blade loading. Comparisons of the 3-D DPIV measurements at the compressor design point to a 3D steady N-S solution are also done to assess the fidelity of steady, single-passage simulations to model an unsteady flow field.     

Tip gap height effects on the aerodynamic performance of a cavity squealer tip in a turbine cascade in comparison with plane tip results: part 1—tip gap flow structure

Tip gap height effects on the flow structure over a cavity squealer tip have been investigated in a linear turbine cascade for power generation, in comparison with the corresponding plane tip results. Oil film flow visualizations are conducted on the tip surface and casing wall for tip gap height-to-chord ratios of h/c = 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0%. The squealer tip has a recessed cavity enclosed by a full length squealer with its rim height-to-chord ratio of 5.51%. The results show that most of in-coming fluid entering the tip gap inlet for the cavity squealer tip is entrapped by the suction-side squealer rim, and the cavity fluid is discharged into the blade flow passage over the suction-side squealer rim in the region from the mid-chord to the trailing edge. Regardless of h/c, the cavity squealer tip makes the leakage flow zone narrower than the plane tip, and is superior to the plane tip in reducing the tip leakage mass flow rate. A qualitative flow model describing full flow features over the cavity squealer tip is suggested. In this flow model, the tip gap exit area is classified into four different regions, and the tip gap height effects on the discharge characteristics in each region are discussed in detail.     

TOPOLOGY AND VORTEX STRUCTURES OF A CURVING TURBINE CASCADE WITH TIP CLEARANCE (Ⅱ)- TOPOLOGICAL FLOW PATTERN AND VORTEX STRUCTURE IN THE TRANSVERSE SECTION OF A BLADE CASCADE

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Measurements of the tip leakage vortex structures and turbulence in the meridional plane of an axial water-jet pump

Particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements at varying resolutions focus on the flow structures in the tip region of a water-jet pump rotor, including the tip-clearance flow and the rollup process of a tip leakage vortex (TLV). Unobstructed views of these regions are facilitated by matching the optical refractive index of the transparent pump with that of the fluid. High-magnification data reveal the flow non-uniformities and associated turbulence within the tip gap. Instantaneous data and statistics of spatial distributions and strength of vortices in the rotor passage reveal that the leakage flow emerges as a wall jet with a shear layer containing a train of vortex filaments extending from the tip of the blade. These vortices are entrained into the TLV, but do not have time to merge. TLV breakdown in the aft part of the blade passage further fragments these structures, increasing their number and reducing their size. Analogy is made between the circumferential development of the TLV in the blade passage and that of the starting jet vortex ring rollup. Subject to several assumptions, these flows display similar trends, including conditions for TLV separation from the shear layer feeding vorticity into it.     

Investigation of flow separation in a transonic-fan linear cascade using visualization methods

An extensive experimental study into the nature of the separated flows on the blade suction surface of modern transonic fans is described in this paper. The study was a subtask of a larger experimental effort focused on blade flutter excited by flow separation in the blade tip region. The tip sections of airfoils on transonic fan blades are designed for precompression and consequently they differ from sections on the rest of the blade. The blade tip section was modeled by a low aspect ratio blade and therefore most of the blade tested was exposed to the secondary flow effects. The aim of this work was to supply reliable data on flow separation on transonic fan blades for validation of future analytical studies. The experimental study focused on two visualization techniques: surface flow visualization using dye oils and schlieren (and shadowgraph) flow visualization. The following key observations were made during the study. For subsonic inlet flow, the flow on the suction surface of the blade was separated over a large portion of the blade, and the separated area increased with increasing inlet Mach number. For the supersonic inlet flow condition, the flow was attached from the leading edge up to the point where a bow shock from the upper neighboring blade imposed on the blade surface. Downstream, there was a separated flow region in which air flowed in the direction opposite the inlet flow. Finally, past the separated flow region, the flow reattached to the blade surface. For subsonic inlet flow, the low cascade solidity resulted in an increased area of separated flow. For supersonic flow conditions, the low solidity resulted in an improvement in flow over the suction surface.     

TOPOLOGY AND VORTEX STRUCTURES OF A CURVING TURBINE CASCADE WITH TIP CLEARANCE (Ⅰ)- EXPERIMENTAL MODEL AND TOPOLOGICAL FLOW PATTERNS ON BOTH ENDWALLS AND BLADE SURFACES

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Tip gap height effects on flow structure and heat/mass transfer over plane tip of a high-turning turbine rotor blade

The effects of tip gap height-to-chord ratio, h/c, on the flow structure and heat/mass transfer over the plane tip surface of a large-scale high-turning turbine rotor blade have been investigated for h/c = 1.0%, 2.0%, 3.0% and 4.0%. For near-wall tip gap flow visualizations, a high-resolution oil film method is employed, and the naphthalene sublimation technique is used for local heat/mass transfer rate measurements. From the tip surface visualizations, a pair of vortices named “tip gap vortices” is identified in the leading edge region within the tip gap. The overall tip gap flow is characterized not only by the tip gap vortices but also by the flow separation/re-attachment process along the pressure-side tip edge. Within the separation bubble, there exist complicated near-wall flows moving toward a mid-chord flow converging area. With increasing h/c, the tip gap vortices, the flow separation/re-attachment, and the converging flows within the separation bubble tend to be intensified. In general, higher thermal load is found along the loci of the tip gap vortices and along the re-attachment line, while lower thermal load is observed behind the tip gap vortex system and near the mid-chord flow converging area. Heat/mass transfer characteristics with the variation of h/c are discussed in detail in conjunction with the tip gap flow features. Based on the flow visualizations and heat/mass transfer data, new realistic tip gap flow models have been proposed for h/c = 1.0 and 4.0%.     

Over-tip leakage flow and loss in a turbine cascade equipped with suction-side partial squealers

Over-tip leakage flow and loss in a turbine cascade equipped with suction-side partial squealer rims have been investigated for the squealer rim height-to-span ratios (h_st/s) of 0.94%, 1.88%. 3.75%, and 5.63% in the case of a tip gap height-to-span ratio of h/s = 1.36%. The casing wall and tip surface visualizations for h_st/s = 3.75% show that most of the incoming tip leakage flow tends to accelerate through a convergent (nozzle-like) tip gap flow channel and penetrates into the neighboring blade flow passage even upstream of the mid-chord in the form of a wall jet, whereas the rest of it is entrapped by the suction-side squealer rim, flows backward, and is separated from the tip surface along a backward flow separation line. Therefore, the tip surface can be divided into a separation bubble and a backward flow area by the backward flow separation line. A qualitative tip gap flow model for the suction-side squealer tip is suggested in this study. For the present suction-side squealer tip, the total pressure loss coefficient mass-averaged throughout the present measurement plane decreases consistently with increasing h_st/s and is higher than that for the cavity squealer tip or the pressure-side squealer tip regardless of h_st/s.     

Purge flow and interface gap geometry influence on the aero-thermal performance of a rotor blade cascade

This paper is focused on the influence of the geometry of an interface seal gap on the aerodynamic and thermal performance of a rotor blade cascade. Tests are performed in a seven-blade cascade of a gas turbine high-pressure subsonic rotor at low Mach number (Ma_2is = 0.3). To simulate some of the effects of rotation on the seal flow exiting the gap on a linear cascade environment, a number of fins are installed inside the slot, providing the coolant flow with an injection angle in the tangential direction. Tests are carried out at variable blowing conditions and different gap widths. Moreover, the influence of a radial misalignment between stator and rotor platforms is also investigated for variable injection conditions. The 3D flow field is surveyed by traversing a 5-hole miniaturized pressure probe in a downstream plane. Secondary flows velocities, loss coefficient and vorticity distributions are presented for the most relevant test conditions. Film cooling effectiveness distributions on the platform are obtained by Thermochromic Liquid Crystals technique. Results show that engine purge flow injection conditions have to be reproduced in the wind tunnel as close as possible, in order to get the correct blade aero-thermal performance.     

平面叶栅气动试验研究进展与展望

平面叶栅气动试验传统上是验证压气机、涡轮的基元性能的主要手段, 近年来国内外研究人员利用平面叶栅开展了大量的流动测量试验, 以揭示叶栅内部复杂流动现象的本质和规律、探索减小叶栅内流动损失的方法. 本文从试验装置、测试技术和研究内容三个方面, 综述了近年来平面叶栅气动试验研究的进展情况. 首先介绍了平面叶栅试验装置的发展及提高平面叶栅试验段流场品质的措施; 其次介绍了叶栅气动试验采用的部分流场测试技术, 包括叶片表面压力场、叶片表面温度场、内流速度场及流场可视化等测试技术, 分析了这些测试技术的进展和存在的问题; 然后梳理了近年来平面叶栅试验研究的相关科学问题及进展, 包括跨音速叶栅中的激波研究, 叶顶间隙泄漏流动研究, 叶型优化研究, 多尺度非定常旋涡结构研究, 振动环境下叶栅流场研究等; 最后对平面叶栅气动试验研究方向进行了展望. 通过了解叶栅内复杂流动现象及本质, 为进一步探索和提高压气机、涡轮的气动性能提供技术支撑.      

TOPOLOGY AND VORTEX STRUCTURES OF A CURVING TURBINE CASCADE WITH TIP CLEARANCE (Ⅱ)- TOPOLOGICAL FLOW PATTERN AND VORTEX STRUCTURE IN THE TRANSVERSE SECTION OF A BLADE CASCADE

By means of ink trace visualization of the flows in conventional straight, positively curved and negatively curved cascades with tip clearance, and measurement of the aerodynamic parameters in transverse section, and by appling topology theory, the topological structures and vortex structure in the transverse section of a blade cascade were analyzed. Compared with conventional straight cascade, blade positive curving eliminates the separation line of the upper passage vortex, and leads the secondary vortex to change from close separation to open separation, while blade negative curving effects merely the positions of singular points and the intensities and scales of vortex. Foundation items: 973 Project of China; the Doctoral Foundation of Education Ministry of China (EDAF24403003) Biography: YANG Qing-hai (1969−)     

Experimental and numerical investigations of tip injection on tip clearance flow in an axial turbine cascade

This investigation presents detailed experimental measurements of an active tip-clearance control method based on tip injection in a high-turning axial turbine cascade. Besides that, numerical investigations are also conducted to study phenomena which are not easily measured in the experiments. It aims to study the influence of tip injection on tip clearance flow, with emphasis on the effects of injection locations. Detailed flow field measurements were made downstream of the cascade using a three-hole probe. Static pressure distributions were also measured on the blade surface at 50% and 97.5% span, respectively. The results suggest that tip injection can weaken tip clearance flow, reducing the tip clearance mass flow and its associated losses. Meanwhile, the heat transfer condition on the blade tip surface can be also improved significantly. It also can be found that injection chordwise location plays an important role in the redistribution of secondary flow within the cascade passage. When the same number of injection holes and injection mass flow are applied, holes located in the aft part of blade can perform much better than that in the front part.     

Parametric investigation of entire annular recess casing treatment on compressor stable operation

Application of casing treatment in compressor has been found to give substantial improvement in compressor stable operating range. An experimental investigation has been carried out with one variant of casing treatment, an entire annular recess (EAR) over the compressor rotor blades. Various tip clearances and two groups of annular recesses (without and with penetration of rotor blade tips into casing) were used. The results for 20 such configurations are presented in the proposed paper, analyzed with respect to relative tip clearance and recess relative volume influence on compressor stable operating range.     

A time marching method for unsteady two-dimensional flow in a blade passage

A time marching method for calculating non-uniform unsteady two-dimensional flow through a blade passage is presented. The various problems encountered in extending time marching techniques into this field are examined, and the method is applied to analyse unsteady wake flows through a compressor and turbine blade row.     

Tip leakage aerodynamics over stepped squealer tips in a turbine cascade

Tip gap flow physics and aerodynamic loss generations for two stepped squealer tips of a “Higher Pressure-side rim and Lower Suction-side rim” (HPLS) tip and a “Lower Pressure-side rim and Higher Suction-side rim” (LPHS) tip have been investigated in a turbine cascade. For a fixed tip gap height-to-chord ratio of h/c = 2.0%, oil film flow visualizations are performed on the casing wall as well as on the cavity floor, and three-dimensional flow fields downstream of the cascade are measured with a five-hole probe. For the HPLS tip, the leakage inflow over the pressure-side rim cannot reach the suction-side rim in the upstream region due to the presence of an inlet flow intrusion, and there exists a strong near-wall flow heading toward the trailing edge all over the cavity floor. On the other hand, the LPHS tip has a mid-chord leakage flow penetration into the blade flow passage, and also provides a downstream leakage flow penetration deeper than that for the HPLS tip. Its cavity floor can be divided into a backward flow region and a wide separation bubble. Aerodynamic loss for the HPLS tip, which is nearly identical to that for the cavity squealer tip, is lower than those for the LPHS and plane tips in a considerable degree.     

The challenge of stereo PIV measurements in the tip gap of a transonic compressor rotor with casing treatment

This contribution is aimed at summarizing the effort taken to apply stereoscopic PIV (SPIV) measurements in the tip clearance of a transonic compressor rotor equipped with a casing treatment. A light sheet probe was placed downstream of the stator and aligned to pass the light sheet through a stator passage into the blade tip clearance of the rotor. A setup with three cameras has been used in order to record the entire 2C velocity field and the smaller area of 3C field of view at the same time instance for comparison with earlier 2C PIV results. A homogeneous seeding distribution was achieved by means of a smoke generator. The main emphasis of the SPIV measurement was to establish a data set with high spatial resolution close to the compressor casing, where the aerodynamic effects of a CT are known to be strong. The paper will discuss some major aspects of the utilized PIV data processing and point out a variety of frequently underestimated error sources that influence the overall quality of the recovered data in spite of the fact that the individual PIV recordings seemed to be of very good quality. Thus, the authors will not focus on the PIV results and related interpretation of the flow field, but on the optimization and procedures applied during setup of the experiment and data processing, respectively.     

多级轴流压气机多叶排调节扩稳优化分析

整理和归纳出合适的流动损失和落后角模型,并将其与逐排基元叶片算法相结合,给出了计算多级轴流压气机特性工程方法;进一步将其与复合形优化方法相结合,对多级轴流压气机多叶排调节扩稳进行了优化模拟,并应用于某8级轴流压气机算例计算.结果表明,在部分转速工况下,采用带性能约束的优化调节在不明显降低性能的同时能够显著减小多级压气机不稳定点流量;在设计工况下,采用适当的变几何优化调节不仅能明显扩大压气机稳定工作范围,还能明显提高压气机绝热效率.     

THE AERODYNAMIC PROBLEM OF RADIALLY LONG BLADES IN TURBOMIACHINES

在现代各种透平机械¹⁾中,随着性能要求的提高,叶片在半径方向的长度有着迅速的增高.在具有这种长叶片的透平机械的设计中,我们必须准确地计算气体在半径方向的变化,然后方能得到正确的叶片形状.在本文第三节中,我们首先根据气体动力学的基本定律,推导出一些适用于透平机械内气体流动的基本方程.