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This paper investigates the flow past two variants of root section profile cascades for a last stage rotor considering three-dimensional flow structures in the near-wall region. Analyses were drawn based on RANS numerical simulations of both variants and on the experimental data obtained by the 3D traversing in the exit flow field of one of the variants. Extent of 3D structures at two different regimes and its influence on aerodynamic characteristics of the blade cascades was assessed. The distributions of Mach number along the profiles were compared with 2D optical measurements and its distortion due to the presence of the sidewall was explored. The interaction between main vortical structures was described and its influence on the loading of the blades, mechanical energy losses and exit flow angle was discussed. The results showed that for a front loaded blade the vortical structures appeared earlier and at a larger extent than for an aft loaded variant. However, due to different Mach number distribution, contribution of end wall flow to the energy losses was lower in the case of the aft loaded variant. The influence of the near wall flow on the loading was found to be rather weak while the deviation of the exit flow angle appeared to be comparable for both of the variants.

Blade flutter problems will become more serious in the near future for large power generating turbines as unavoidable consequences of the increasing share of power generated by renewable energy sources. The Institute of Thermomechanics of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IT CAS) was awarded a grant to initiate a blade flutter research program. The main thrust of the IT CAS role in this program is to pursue advancements in experimental technique applications and to establish a reliable experimental database of blade mutual aerodynamic interactions during the blade flutter onset for the sonic and transonic flow regimes in particular. A new sophisticated test section for transonic blade flutter research was designed and being manufactured to fulfill such requirements. Experience gained while working with the NASA Transonic Flutter Cascade facility resulted in new innovative features included in the new design. The new facility will be delivered to the High-Speed Laboratory in Novy Knin by the end of September 2020.

This study presents the comparison of aerodynamic performances of two successive designs of the root profiles for the ultra-long rotor blade equipped with a straight fir-tree dovetail. Since aerodynamic and strength requirements laid upon the root section design are contradictory, it is necessary to aerodynamically optimize the design within the limits given by the foremost strength requirements. The most limiting criterion of the static strength is the size of the blade cross-section, which is determined by the number of blades in a rotor and also by the shape and size of a blade dovetail. The aerodynamic design requires mainly the zero incidence angle at the inlet of a profile and in the ideal case ensures that the load does not exceed a limit load condition. Moreover, the typical root profile cascades are transonic with supersonic exit Mach number, therefore, the shape of a suction side and a trailing edge has to respect transonic expansion of a working gas. In this paper, the two variants of root section profile cascades are compared and the aerodynamic qualities of both variants are verified using CFD simulation and two mutually independent experimental methods of measurements (optical and pneumatic).

The contribution deals with the experimental and numerical investigation of compressible flow through the tip-section turbine blade cascade with the blade 54″ long. Experimental investigations by means of optical (interferometry and schlieren method) and pneumatic measurements provide more information about the behaviour and nature of basic phenomena occurring in the profile cascade flow field.

Focus of this paper is aerodynamic investigation of tie-boss stabilization devices for extremely long rotor blades. This investigation covered measurements on multiple blade cascades and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of the flow past these cascades. Conclusions were drawn from results of the measurements and CFD and from the knowledge of prior investigation of the used blade cascade. Main focus of this paper is to describe influence of a tie-boss stabilization device on flow field in interblade channel. Tie-boss with more massive shape proved to cause lesser losses, while tie-boss with a tailored trailing edge showed lesser influence on flow turning.

This paper is concerned with experimental and numerical research on 3D flow past prismatic turbine cascade SE1050 (known in QNET network as open test case SE1050). The primary goal was to assess the influence of the inlet velocity profile on the flow structures in the interblade channel and on the flow field parameters at the cascade exit and to compare these findings to results of numerical simulations. Investigations of 3D flow past the cascade with non-uniform inlet velocity profile were carried out both experimentally and numerically at subsonic (M2is = 0.8) and at transonic (M2is = 1.2) regime at design angle of incidence. Experimental data was obtained using a traversing device with a five-hole conical probe. Numerically, the 3D flow was simulated by open source code OpenFOAM and in-house code. Analyses of experimental data and CFD simulations have revealed the development of distinctive vortex structures resulting from non-uniform inlet velocity profile. Origin of these structures results in increased loss of kinetic energy and spanwise shift of kinetic energy loss coefficient distribution. Differences found between the subsonic and the transonic case confirm earlier findings available in the literature. Results of CFD and experiments agree reasonably well.

The paper reports on interferometric measurements of flow over a NACA0015 airfoil model during flutter limit cycle oscillations. The airfoil model is fixed on an elastic support allowing motion with two degrees of freedom — pitch and plunge. The structural mass and stiffness matrices can be tuned to certain extent, so that the eigenfrequencies of the two modes approach as needed. The model is equipped with dynamic pressure probes and sensors measuring the airfoil vertical position. The flow field around the airfoil was measured by Mach-Zehnder interferometer and registered using a high-speed camera synchronously with the mechanical vibration and pressure measurements. The Mach number of the incident airflow was gradually increased and the response of the aeroelastic system to initial impulse measured, until the flutter instability onset occurred. Flutter boundaries were evaluated for various additional masses attached (i.e., for various plunging mode eigenfrequencies), and post-critical behavior of the system investigated. The interferograms recorded by the high-speed camera were postprocessed, yielding pressure distribution around the airfoil during its vibration and an estimate of the total aerodynamic force and energy transfer from the airflow to the structure.Copyright © 2014 by ASME

The aerodynamics of root sections appears to be a crucial problem in the design and operation of the last stages of large output steam turbines. The reasons are transonic flow, high flow turning, and difficulties with keeping their design aerodynamic conditions during operation. Investigations were performed on planar blade cascades representing root sections of 1085mm and 1220mm long rotor blades. The basic conception of the two root sections differs. The aerodynamic loading of the 1220mm blade root section is lowered in order to ensure that the design parameters are kept during turbine stage operation. We present the results of optical and pneumatic measurements i.e. dependencies of the kinetic energy loss coefficient and exit flow angle on the exit isoentropic Mach number and the angle of incidence, as well as images of the flow fields. The experimental data is analyzed in order to assess and document the difference between the two root section designs.

This paper presents the experimental results of aerodynamic research performed on a blade cascade representing the midsection of 1220 mm long rotor blades of the last stage of a large output steam turbine. The operational regime of the blade cascade is characterized by supersonic exit velocity. Isentropic exit Mach number M2is = 1.323. The experimental data analysis concerns pneumatic measurements to calculate the total pressure and the kinetic energy loss coefficients, and to evaluate them mainly with respect to the aperiodicity of the flow field. The flow structure is also studied on the basis of results obtained by means of optical methods, such as schlieren and interferometric methods.Copyright © 2010 by ASME

This paper deals with an analysis of the flow through a high cambered compressor blade cascade. The profiles of the blade cascade have been designed to be of MCA-type. The geometric and aerodynamic parameters of the cascade are presented here. The aerodynamic research was performed in a transonic wind tunnel. Optical methods were applied to obtain information on the flow structures taking place in the interblade channels when operating in a range of subsonic and transonic velocities and at various angles of incidence. The internal shock waves and the flow separation in the rear part of the cascade channel were observed and studied. Their influence on the loss coefficient and exit flow angle at subsonic and low transonic region was assessed. The thickness of the sidewall boundary layer in the interblade channel was measured in order to investigate the development of the axial velocity density ratio (AVDR), which plays an important role in the interpretation of the results.Copyright © 2010 by ASME

This paper reports on the results of high-speed aerodynamic research on a blade cascade. The blade cascade represents the tip section of the last stage rotor blades of a large output steam turbine. The aerodynamic characteristics of the blade cascade are presented together with flow field photographs in a range of transonic and supersonic velocities. Pictures of the flow field were obtained by means of interferometry and the schlieren method. The pressure distribution over the profiles was also evaluated using interferometry. Finally, the data for evaluating the losses and other integral characteristics of the flow exiting from the cascade were measured pneumatically with the use of a traversing device. The results are analyzed and discussed.

Aerodynamic investigations were performed on planar blade cascades representing two alternative root sections of rotor blades 54″ in length with straight fir-tree root. Each of the variants was designed for different number of blades in the rotor. This paper presents the results of measurements showing the dependency of the kinetic energy loss coefficient and the exit flow angle on the exit isoentropic Mach number and the angle of incidence. Images of the flow fields are also presented. The experimental data is analyzed to assess and document the difference between the two root section designs. Results show that requirement of straight fir tree root leading to high design incidence angles significantly limit operation range. Also in case of root sections with high exit Mach numbers a limit load conditions are an issue. In order to utilize available pressure drop blade cascade throat/pitch ratios should be kept as high as possible which favorites variant with lower number of blades and higher outlet metal angle (relative to axial direction).