Numerical Study of Entropy Wave Evolution within a HPT Stage

Abstract

Component reciprocal interaction and aero-thermal coupling are critical aspects in modern turbomachinery design. Combustors and highpressure turbine (HPT) interaction is extremely critical due to the compact and lightweight system design. In this context, computational and experimental analyses are thus necessary to study the interaction of the high temperature gas coming from combustor systems and entering the turbine in order to avoid engine mis-operations and to lower the indirect core noise generation. This paper presents a numerical study of pulsating temperature distortion (entropy wave) evolution within a high pressure turbine stage. Four different clocking positions between the 11 temperature spots and the 22 stators have been studied. The numerical results, obtained by URANS computations (TRAF code) and by a dedicated post-processing based on Fourier coefficients, have been compared with experimental measurements coming from the Laboratorio di Fluidodinamica delle Macchine (LFM) of the Politecnico di Milano (Italy) where the HP stage rig is located. The excellent agreement between numerical results and experimental acquisitions confirms the accuracy of the numerical approach. Such results also suggest recommendations for the thermal design of the rows and are the main prerequisite for the study of the indirect core noise generation.