Large-eddy simulation of boundary layer separation and reattachment in low-pressure turbine cascade

Large fraction of the low-pressure turbine cascade boundary layer is laminar flow due to low Reynolds number. High-lift low-pressure turbine blade leads to increase the adverse pressure gradient at rear of the turbine cascade. Boundary layer separation is easy to happen as the layer has low level of momentum and energy under large adverse pressure gradient, and then transition and reattachment occurs in the boundary layer. Large-eddy simulation (LES) was used to study boundary layer separation and reattachment in the low-pressure turbine (LPT) cascade without considering upstream wakes and at Reynolds numbers (based on chord length and throat exit velocity) of 5×10⁵. The numerical results agree with experimental measurements in terms of the time averaged static pressure distribution around the blade and the suction side boundary layer separated and reattached points. In addition, Separation and reattachment locations of suction side boundary layer were investigated with different inlet flow angle and different Reynolds numbers. The effect of the previous two parameters on boundary layer separation of cascade is obtained.