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Numerical simulation of flow field between gas

turbine blades, GE F9 model

Conference Paper January 2012

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.2795.4000

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 4th Conference on Thermal Power Plants (Gas, Combined Cycle, and Steam) December 18-19, 2012, Tehran, Iran

Numerical simulation of flow field between gas turbine blades,

GE F9 model
Amir Hozhabr*, Ali R. Tahavvor**, and Salva Samimi***
*B.Sc. Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran;
amir.hozhabr@hotmail.com
**Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University,
Shiraz, Iran; ath@iaushiraz.net
***Instructor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran;
salva_samimi@yahoo.com

Abstract: In this paper flow field between the first-stage of gas
turbine blades, GE F9 model is simulated and analysed using
Computational Fluid Dynamics. Two-dimensional model is
considered and by applying appropriate boundary conditions
for both steady and unsteady state cases are solved. Due to
complexity of flow field Reynolds Stress Model is used as a
turbulence model. Finally, flow pattern is achieved and shows
that pressure in the stationary blades (Nozzles) and the moving
blades is reduced and velocity increases in the nozzles and
decreases in the blades. It is be noted that complete grid study
is done to achieve grid-independent solution.
Keywords: Gas Turbine, GE F9 model, Stationary blades
1. Introduction
The design and manufacture of gas turbines, which in
various fields including power generation in power plants
and aerospace industries are used, is very important.
Therefore, companies and experts have tried to design it
better and do more useful toward manufacture gas
turbines. In this regard, awareness of how fluid flow
between the blades, to optimize the geometry and design
of gas turbine blade profiles is essential. Kumar and
Prasad research on combined of CFD and network
methods as a way to solve complex flow for fluid flow
and heat transfer model are discussed [1]. Laskowski and
Felten research first stage gas turbine blades by means of
computational fluid dynamics simulations, and the effect
of cooling fluid on the blades of the next stage of the
study [2]. John D Denton's research focuses on the
limitations of computational fluid dynamics and
numerical analysis of errors that may be considered and
studied [3]. Saqib Hameed and Manarvi Research study
predicts the location of damage in gas turbine blades by
the finite element method for computational fluid
dynamics is discussed, as a reference for non-destructive
testing used [4]. Research in the coefficient of lift and
drag turbine GE gas turbine are compared to both
experimental and computational. Plaster mold using
reverse engineering for physical modelling is used to
empirically test. The results were compared and the
differences are slight [5].
2. Problem Definition
GE F9 gas turbine model is studied which consists of
three stages blades. The criterion here is only the first
stage blades, which includes the blade is stationary and
movable. At the turbine inlet, the hot combustion gases in
the combustion chamber through transition piece to meet
stationary blades and pass through them with increasing
fluid velocity, and creates the proper angle to the moving
blades, the force necessary to mobilize, and ultimately
cause the blades to rotate the turbine shaft becomes.
Using numerical simulation techniques to study fluid
flow and changes in fluid dynamics can be stationary
blades (nozzles) and movable blades.
2.1 Geometry
Geometry generated using the actual models has been
done. So that, made template of blades and scanned them.
As the turbine blades is considered combination of
impulse and reaction, so at this cross sectional two-
dimensional model of the blade, which is a reaction
selected and is measured. According to measurements
performed on real model, both nozzle distances from each
other are equal to five blades movable. Thus for the
proper use of periodic boundary, geometry with two
nozzles and five blades are produced. Fig. 1 View of the
section cut shows the nozzle and blade.

ISBN: 978-1-4673-4844-7 IEEE

 4th Conference on Thermal Power Plants (Gas, Combined Cycle, and Steam)

3.1 Reynolds Stress Transport Equations

The exact transport equations for the transport of the
Reynolds stresses, , may be Written as Equation
(1) [7].

+
=

Loc l i D iv tiv Ci j Conv ction

+

+ +

DT,i j l nt Diff ion

Fig. 1: Cut view of the nozzles and blades


+

DL,i j Mol c l Diff ion St od ction
2.2 Mesh Generation (1)
Due to asymmetric geometry is generated and the

blades are curved, so the triangular mesh (Tgrid) is used.
+
+ +

To be independent of the grid (grid steady), the variation B oy ncy od cton
St in
of pressure coefficient for the blades have been studied in
TABLE I is shown, based on this table, mesh row 6 is



selected.
+


Di i tion od ction y Sy t Rot tion

NO Interval count Interval Pressure

size coefficient
Nozzle 100 0.01 -70.784 +
1 Blade 60 0.01 U -D fin d So c
Nozzle 120 0.009 -34.054
2 Blade 65 0.009
Nozzle 135 0.008 -33.742 4. Numerical Modeling
3 Blade 70 0.008 There are different solutions methods in CFD, that
Nozzle 200 0.005 -36.900 finite volume method is used here. This method is
4 Blade 125 0.005 integral, to the expression of the initial differential
Nozzle 250 0.004 -35.560 physical equations take integrated, then a numerical
5 Blade 150 0.004 method to solve and can be easier studied the scope and
Nozzle 280 0.004 -36.605 complex geometry [8].
6 Blade 150 0.004
Nozzle 280 0.003 -37.500
4.1 Boundary Conditions
7 Blade 150 0.003 Boundary conditions applied, as is the inlet pressure
TABLE I: Grid steady for Pressure coefficient and outlet pressure. To determine the turbine inlet, due to
the loss of during the cycle Design point, and also to
measure atmospheric conditions in the shiraz city are as
3. Turbulence and Governing Equations follows[9]:
The ultimate aim of all models of turbulent flow,
Reynolds stress measurements
in different parts of the flow is calculated. Most
models of turbulence in incompressible flow governing
equations are used in calculating the turbulent quantities Inlet turbine:
because only the supersonic velocities with Mach number
greater than 5, the quantities are turbulence of ( )
compressibility effects. The lower velocity can be T=
calculated turbulence quantities such as Reynolds stress = 350
model of turbulence equations governing incompressible
flows can be used [6]. To find the pressure at the outlet boundary, initially out
flow boundary condition, for that away region is fully
developed flows, were considered. Considering the next

ISBN: 978-1-4673-4844-7 IEEE

 4th Conference on Thermal Power Plants (Gas, Combined Cycle, and Steam)

stage of blades, the outlet pressure was corrected. So the

pressure outlet considered 4.5 bar (gauge). The turbine
rotating speed is 3000 rpm and radius of the turbine shaft
to cross-cut blades is 1.16m. According to
thermodynamic tables of specific heat capacity at
constant pressure for air and methane and their mixtures
are shown in TABLE 2 [10].

Air Methane Mixtures

TABLE 2: Specific heat capacity at constant pressure

To obtain the fluid velocity, Mach number and the fluid

pressure at the turbine inlet of the Equation (2) used [11,
12].
-
-
o M (2) Fig. 2: Contours of Static Pressure (Pascal), RSM model steady state

4.2 Models
In this study, the flow between the gas turbine blades
in both steady state and transient to be studied that the
standard turbulence model and Reynolds stress,
RSM in the steady state as well as standard model
is used in unsteady mode.
4.2.1 Reynolds Stress Model (RSM)
The Reynolds stress model (RSM) is the most
elaborate turbulence model that FLUENT provides.
Abandoning the isotropic eddy-viscosity hypothesis, the
RSM closes the Reynolds-averaged Navier-stokes
equations by solving transport equations for the Reynolds
stresses, together with an equation for the dissipation rate.
This means that five additional transport equations are
required in 2D flows and seven additional transport
equations must be solved in 3D [7, 8].
4.2.2 Standard Model
The simplest "complete models'' of turbulence are two-
equation models in which the solution of two separate Fig. 3: Contours of Mach number, RSM model steady state
transport equations allows the turbulent velocity and
length scales to be independently determined. The
standard model in FLUENT falls within this class
of turbulence model and has become the workhorse of
practical engineering [7, 8].

5. Result and Discussions

The results show that, with the passage of fluid from
the nozzle, its pressure decreases. The fluid pressure
decreases in the blades too. In nozzle, the fluid velocity
increases, which ultimately Mach number is also
increasing. In blades of the decreased velocity and Mach
number decreases. Fluid velocity in the nozzle to the high
kinetic energy increases. Figures 2 and 3 show contours
of pressure and Mach number respectively for steady Fig. 4: Static Pressure, RSM model steady state
state. The diagrams pressure and Mach number are shown
in figures 4 and 5 respectively along the flow for steady
state.

ISBN: 978-1-4673-4844-7 IEEE

 4th Conference on Thermal Power Plants (Gas, Combined Cycle, and Steam)

Fig. 5: Mach number, RSM model steady state

Results in unsteady conditions, was studied after

0.019721 second that figures 6 and 7 show contours of
pressure and Mach number respectively. The diagrams
pressure and Mach number are shown in figures 8 and 9
and Fig.10 is path line of flow. Unsteady state flow Fig. 7: Contours of Mach number, model unsteady
pattern in this time interval is similar to the steady-state.

Fig. 8: Static Pressure, model unsteady

Fig. 6: Contours of Static Pressure (Pascal), model unsteady

Fig. 9: Mach number, model unsteady

ISBN: 978-1-4673-4844-7 IEEE

 4th Conference on Thermal Power Plants (Gas, Combined Cycle, and Steam)
Fig. 10: path line of flow
6. Conclusions
After reviewing the results and compare them with
Gas Turbine Handbook [13, 14] was observed that the
flow pattern is very similar to the model described in the
Handbook [13, 14]. According to the results obtained, the
fluid pressure is low along the path, the pressure loss in
the Nozzle; most of the pressure loss is in the blades.
Increased fluid velocity in Nozzle and the Mach number
at the Nozzle outlet is between 0.9 to 1, this value is
appropriate for the Nozzle, but after exit fluid from the
Nozzle, up to 0.8 Mach number decreases. In other
words, if the distance between the blades and the Nozzle
is less, the fluid inlet velocity to the blades is more. Mach
number on the blades is reduced, but it is more than the
inlet Nozzles. Flow lines, shows the path of fluid
particles. Can be realized that what regional fluid particle
enter and where to exit.
List of Symbols
Ambient pressure
Ambient temperature
Pressure
T Temperature
Mass flow rate
Specific heat capacity at constant pressure
o Stagnation (or total) pressure
Static pressure
M Mach number
Ratio of specific heats
ISBN: 978-1-4673-4844-7 IEEE
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References
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network approach for a simulated turbine blade coolin y t ,
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[3] John D Denton, Some limitations of turbo machinery CFD, in
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