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Visualization of laminar–turbulent transition on rotating turbine blades

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Abstract

The detection of laminar–turbulent transition in aerodynamics is very important, however, it can be extremely challenging, especially for unsteady flows or moving surfaces. To understand and control transition effects and associated friction losses on aerodynamic components, optical methods have been developed as they potentially do not disturb transition processes. Temperature Decline Thermography (TDT) was recently introduced to visualize boundary layer phenomena on surfaces exposed to flow. The technique is based on transient infrared thermography with active heating, offering high spatial resolution and precise transition detection in stationary systems. However, to improve the efficiency of modern aircraft engines, transition detection on rotating blades is of particular importance. In this study, TDT was enhanced and qualified for use on rotating blades in gas turbines. For the first time, a proof of concept is provided for flow visualization on stationary vanes and rotating blades under realistic flow conditions. Despite the limited optical access in a turbine rig, it was possible to visualize the near-wall traces of boundary layer transitions, separation and vortex systems with high spatial resolution and low measurement uncertainty. The application of TDT in turbomachinery allows for a deeper understanding of flow phenomena and enables validation and support of numerical models for the development of highly efficient gas turbines.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery of the RWTH Aachen for the helpful cooperation and Matthew Bross for manuscript improvements. The research was partially funded by MTU Aero Engines AG and the AG Turbo cooperative project COOREFLEX-turbo (Funding Code: 03ET7040V).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MTU Aero Engines AG, Dachauer Str. 665, 80995, Munich, Germany

    Stefan von Hoesslin, Juergen Gruendmayer, Andreas Zeisberger, Martin S. Sommer, Jonathan Klimesch & Stephan Behre

  2. RWTH Aachen, Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery, Templergraben 55, 52062, Aachen, Germany

    Henri Brandies

  3. Institute of Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics, Universität der Bundeswehr, Werner-Heisenberg-Weg 39, 85577, Neubiberg, Germany

    Christian J. Kähler

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  1. Stefan von Hoesslin
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  2. Juergen Gruendmayer
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  3. Andreas Zeisberger
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  8. Christian J. Kähler
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Correspondence to Stefan von Hoesslin.

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von Hoesslin, S., Gruendmayer, J., Zeisberger, A. et al. Visualization of laminar–turbulent transition on rotating turbine blades. Exp Fluids 61, 149 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-020-02985-9

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