Session: Poster Session

Paper Number: 162902

Comparison of Predicted and Measured Combustor-Relevant Flow Fields 

Understanding how computational predictions of complex flow fields, such as those in a gas turbine combustor, compare to experimental measurements is important for advancing the development of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Specifically, understanding how steady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) and Large Eddy Simulation (LES) models predict the flow fields of such features as dilution and effusion jets is useful for insight into the flow fields of combustors and combustor-turbine interactions. This poster presents computational and experimental comparisons of a non-combusting flow field with a focus on near-wall dilution and effusion flows. The non-combusting flow field includes an approaching freestream turbulence intensity of 0.5%. Steady RANS and LES models were compared to experimental results from large-scale wind tunnel experiments. The experimental data, previously reported, included particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements to characterize the flow field. Several RANS models were evaluated and compared as part of this study, and the computational results showed the realizable k-ε model provided the best RANS agreement to the experimental results. In the vicinity of the dilution jet, the realizable k-ε model predicted the effusion flow entrainment away from the liner wall into the main gas path as validated by the experimental data. The main differences between the realizable k-ε and experimental results were the underprediction of the flow field turbulence intensity and the dilution jet penetration depth. The LES model provided better agreement to the experimental results when compared to all RANS models. The primary differences between the LES and experimental data included slightly underpredicted jet penetration depth and turbulence intensity.

Presenting Author: Chad B. Schaeffer The Pennsylvania State University

Presenting Author Biography: Chad Schaeffer is a Ph.D. candidate at The Pennsylvania State University in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. His current research at the Steady Thermal Aero Research Turbine (START) Lab includes applying CFD to design a combustor profile simulator that is capable of generating modern combustor realistic spatial profiles of pressure and temperature with elevated turbulence levels to be used with the experimental turbine rig.

Authors:

Chad B. Schaeffer The Pennsylvania State University
Michael D. Barringer The Pennsylvania State University
Stephen P. Lynch The Pennsylvania State University
Karen A. Thole The Pennsylvania State University