Prediction of turbine cascade flows with a quasi-three-dimensional rotor viscous code and the extension of the algebraic turbulence model.

Abstract

A quasi- three-dimensional rotor viscous code is used to predict high subsonic flow through an annular cascade of turbine blades. The well known Baldwin- Lomax turbulence model is used in the program. An attempt was made to implement a new turbulence model, based on renormalization group theory in the program. This was done to improve the prediction of the boundary layer transition on the blade surfaces . and subsequent wake development. The comparison of these two turbulence models with experimental data are presented. Pressure, velocity ratio, flow angle distributions and downstream wake predictions were studied using results from RVCQ3D (Rotor Viscous Code Quasi -Three -Dimensional) code. The computed results showed good agreement with experiment when comparing the blade surface local static pressure to inlet total pressure ratio at the midspan position of the annular turbine cascade. The computational approach used to implement the turbulence model is also described.