Session: 15-01: Internal Cooling Design Optimization

Paper Number: 151383

Thermal Performance, Frictional Characteristics, and Energy Efficiency of Integrating Helical Diverters in Two-Pass Rotating Gas Turbine Blade Cooling Channels 

In gas turbines, enhancing the cooling process of the turbine blades is vital for allowing the turbine to operate with finer performance and extending the operational lifespan of the turbine. This study will introduce new passive cooling techniques in the two-pass rectangular rotating cooling channels to investigate the effects of integrating helical diverters within the cooling channels of gas turbine blades. Through a combination of experimental and computational analysis, this research will assess the impact of these diverters on heat transfer enhancement, frictional losses, and overall energy efficiency. The research findings will demonstrate how the helical diverters will improve heat transfer rates by stirring the flow and mixing different flow layers, thus facilitating more effective cooling. Nevertheless, the helical divertors are accompanied by increased frictional losses, translating into a rise in the air source's power consumption.

Additionally, the study explores how the helical diverters influence the Coriolis effect, a critical factor in rotating systems, revealing a reduction in Coriolis-induced flow deviations, thereby contributing to a more uniform temperature distribution across the blade. This research offers valuable insights into optimizing cooling strategies for gas turbines, balancing the trade-offs between enhanced cooling and energy efficiency. Rotational cases utilizing a Re number between 10000 and 50000. Model validation will be conducted to analyze fluid behavior within the cooling channels, utilizing experimental and numerical methods. This validation will establish the baseline for the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model, which will subsequently be used to investigate a unique cooling passive technique (the helical divertors) in different Re numbers, and Rational numbers.

Presenting Author: Areej Khalil University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Presenting Author Biography: Research Assistant

Authors:

Areej Khalil University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Mohamed Abousabae University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Ryo Amano University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Mayyadah Abuhasheh University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee