Large eddy simulations of periodic wake effects on boundary-layer transition of low-pressure turbine cascades

The periodic wake effect is one of the most important sources of unsteady disturbance in turbines. Its influence on the boundary layer transition process of the downstream blade suction surface is an important factor determining the turbine loss and aerodynamic performance, and also an effective potential approach of turbine loss control. In this paper, the high-load low-pressure turbine (LPT) cascade is taken as the research object, and the large eddy simulation based on the inhouse coed Multiblock Parallel Large-eddy Simulation is used to study the periodic influence of upstream wake. The unsteady transition process of the boundary layer on the suction surface of the turbine cascade and the spatial–temporal evolution of the vortex are discussed in detail. It is shown that there are three modes of boundary layer transition on the suction surface of the LPT cascade under the effect of wake, occurring alternately during the wake passing period. Each mode of transition has different characteristics in vortex structures, as well as boundary-layer separation and reattachment, thereby makes different losses. Although the transition mechanism and evolution process of the three modes are different, the calming regions exist in all three modes, which is important for the control of the boundary layer. This study gives an important reference for reducing the flow loss in high-load turbines by means of periodic wakes.