Flow Separation on the

Suction Surface of a Pak-B

Low Pressure Turbine Blade

David Erwert
Dr. Kenneth Van Treuren
Baylor University ECS Scholars Day
January 27, 2007
 Overview
Gas Turbine Flow Separation
Development of the Baylor Facility
Scope and Results of the Present Project
Recommendations
The Gas Turbine Engine
Compressor Low Pressure
Fan Turbine

High Pressure
Turbine

Combustor
Turbine Flow
Pak B Blade Profile
Low Pressure Turbine Separation
Commercial Aircraft
Operating at High
Altitudes (43,000 ft)

UAVs (65,000 ft)

New Generation
Business Jets
(50,000+ ft)
Separated Flow = Lower Efficiency
Lower efficiency means burning more fuel

V laxial
Re =

Turbine Failure
Baylor University Wind Tunnel
Modified Baylor Wind Tunnel
Simulating Turbine Flow
 Matching the Pak B Profile
Pak B Blade vs. Tunnel Profile at 50,000 Re

3
cp

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Po Ps % Suction Surface Length

Cp = Pak B Blade Baylor Tunnel Profile
1
V 2
2
Simulator Improvements
Verification of Flow Separation
Tunnel Calibration Re=100k 1% Tu Region of
Separation
5
4.5
4
3.5
3
Cp

2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
% Suction Surface Length

Pak B Airfoil Experimental Tunnel Baseline

 Experiments
Passive Flow Control Methods
-Triangular Vortex Generators
-Bumps
-Dimples (round and square)
Tested at 50%, 55%, 60% SSL
Triangular Vortex Generators

Flow Direction
 Implementation of Passive
Techniques
Vortex Generators Re=100k 1% Tu

5.00
4.50
4.00
3.50
3.00
Cp

2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.50
0.00
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
% Suction Surface Length

Experimental Tunnel Baseline Vortex Generators Orientation 1

Bumps
Dimples
 Wider Application
Wind Turbines

Wind Turbine Blade Profile

 Conclusions
Flow separation on Low Pressure Turbines is a
real problem
Loss of efficiency
More fuel required
High cost of fuel

Passive Flow Control Techniques are

Successful in Eliminating Regions of Separation
Should eliminate losses
Could be machined onto new blades
 Future Needs
Determination of downstream momentum deficit
Better Pak-B Correlation, possibly shorten the
plate
Investigate Heat transfer of plate with and
without flow control
Any Questions?