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An unsteady numerical analysis of a generic non-axisymmetric turbine endwall in a 1½ stage turbine test rig

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 January 2016

D. Dunn ,
T.W. von Backström  and
G. Snedden
D. Dunn*
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Stellenbosch, Pretoria, South Africa
T.W. von Backström
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Stellenbosch, Pretoria, South Africa
G. Snedden
Affiliation:
CSIR, Pretoria, South Africa
*
ddunn@csir.co.za
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Abstract

As concern for the environment increases, so does the desire to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. One avenue being investigated in the aerospace industry is the reduction in losses in a gas turbine engine through endwall contouring, which has shown some promise in improving efficiency. The current investigation was aimed at investigating the unsteady effects downstream of a rotor with a non-axisymmetric endwall contour originally designed for a cascade.

Previous investigations (numerical and experimental) have shown that the endwall contour improved the turbine efficiency by reducing the cross passage secondary flows. The contour however had a detrimental effect on the tip flow. The current investigation found that there were negligible unsteady differences between the annular and contoured rotor, with the average comparing well to the steady state results. It was also found that the effects at the tip were due to the experimental blades untwisting during operation.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 119 , Issue 1211 , January 2015 , pp. 109 - 119
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2015

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