Linear stability prediction of vortex structures on high pressure turbine blades

Abstract

Velocity profiles are extracted from time- and span-averaged direct numerical simulation data, describing the flow over a high-pressure turbine vane linear cascade near engine-scale conditions with reduced inlet disturbance levels. Based on these velocity profiles, local as well as non-local linear stability analysis of the boundary-layer over the suction side of the vane is carried out in order to characterise a linearly unstable region close to the trailing edge. The largest growth rates are found for oblique modes, but those are only slightly more unstable than 2D modes, which describe the locations and frequencies of most unstable modes very well. The frequencies of the most unstable linear modes predict with good accuracy the predominant frequencies found in the direct numerical simulations (DNS) close to the trailing edge.