This paper presents a study of the performance of a high-lift profile for low pressure turbines at Reynolds numbers lower than in previous investigations. By following the results of Coull et al. (2008, “Velocity Distributions for Low Pressure Turbines,” ASME Paper No. GT2008-50589) on the design of high-lift airfoils, the profile is forward loaded. The separate and combined effects of roughness and wake passing are compared. On a front loaded blade, the effect of incidence becomes more important and the consequences in terms of cascade losses, is evaluated. The experimental investigation was carried out in the high speed wind tunnel of Whittle Laboratory, University of Cambridge. This is a closed-circuit continuous wind tunnel where the Reynolds number and Mach number can be fixed independently. The unsteadiness caused by wake passing in front of the blades is reproduced using a wake generator with rotating bars. The results confirm that the beneficial effect of unsteadiness on losses is present even at the lowest Reynolds number examined . This beneficial effect is reduced at positive incidence. With a front loaded airfoil and positive incidence, the transition occurs on the suction side close to the leading edge and this results in higher losses. This has been found valid for the entire Reynolds range investigated . Roughening the surface also had a beneficial effect on the losses but this effect vanishes at the lower Reynolds numbers, i.e., , where the surface becomes hydraulically smooth. The present study suggests that a blade with as-cast surface roughness has a lower loss than a polished one.
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July 2010
Research Papers
Effect of Roughness and Unsteadiness on the Performance of a New Low Pressure Turbine Blade at Low Reynolds Numbers
Francesco Montomoli,
Francesco Montomoli
Whittle Laboratory,
University of Cambridge
, Cambridge, CB3 0DY, UK
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Howard Hodson,
Howard Hodson
Whittle Laboratory,
University of Cambridge
, Cambridge, CB3 0DY, UK
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Frank Haselbach
Frank Haselbach
Rolls-Royce plc.
, Derby, DE24 8BJ, UK
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Francesco Montomoli
Whittle Laboratory,
University of Cambridge
, Cambridge, CB3 0DY, UK
Howard Hodson
Whittle Laboratory,
University of Cambridge
, Cambridge, CB3 0DY, UK
Frank Haselbach
Rolls-Royce plc.
, Derby, DE24 8BJ, UKJ. Turbomach. Jul 2010, 132(3): 031018 (9 pages)
Published Online: April 5, 2010
Article history
Received:
September 11, 2008
Revised:
February 15, 2009
Online:
April 5, 2010
Published:
April 5, 2010
Citation
Montomoli, F., Hodson, H., and Haselbach, F. (April 5, 2010). "Effect of Roughness and Unsteadiness on the Performance of a New Low Pressure Turbine Blade at Low Reynolds Numbers." ASME. J. Turbomach. July 2010; 132(3): 031018. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3148475
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