Computational Studies for Turbomachinery Simulation (Kenote Paper)

Three-dimensional numerical simulation of turbulent flow and of convective heat transfer are becoming integral to the complex procedure of gas turbine blade design. The application to heat transfer presents new problems in flow prediction by Reynolds averaged methods. Many fundamental and practical developments are needed before full three-dimensional computational analysis becomes reliable. This article reviews some of our work in this area. Fundamental studies of turbine flow by Direct Numerical Simulation are also surveyed. Reynolds numbers encountered in parts of the turbine are such that DNS is practicable. Our initial simulations were of a flat plate geometry, addressing the topic of wake-induced transition. More recently flow flow in a linear, low pressure turbine cascade has been simulated, examining wake-induced transition, wake distortion, vortex formation and turbulence distortions.