Effects of Oscillations in the Mainstream on Film Cooling at Various Blowing Ratios

The objective of this study is to understand the effects of flow oscillations in the mainstream and film cooling jets on film cooling at various blowing ratios (0.5, 0.78, 1.0 and 1.5). These oscillations could be caused by the combustion instabilities. They are approximated in sinusoidal form for the current study. The effects of different frequencies (0, 2, 16, 32 Hz) on film cooling are investigated. Simulations are performed using URANS Realizable k-epsilon and LES Smagorinsky-Lilly turbulence models. The results indicate that if the frequencies of the mainstream and the jet flow are increased at a low average blowing ratio of M = 0.5, the adiabatic film cooling effectiveness is decreased and the heat transfer coefficient is increased due to increased disturbance in jet and main flow interaction with increasing frequency. It was observed that when the frequency of the mainstream and the cooling jet flow is increased at M = 0.5, the amplitude of the pressure difference between the mainstream and the plenum is increased resulting in increased amplitude of coolant flow rate oscillations leading to more jet lift off and more disturbance in the main flow and coolant interaction. Consequently, adiabatic film cooling effectiveness is decreased and heat transfer coefficient is increased. If the frequency of the mainstream is increased from 0 Hz to 2, 16, or 32 Hz at M = 0.5, the centerline effectiveness is decreased about 10%, 12%, or 47% and the spanwise-averaged Stanton number ratio is increased about 4%, 5%, or 9% respectively. If the frequencies of the main flow and the jet flow are increased at higher blowing ratios of M = 1.0 and 1.5, adiabatic effectiveness is increased and the spanwise-averaged heat transfer coefficient are decreased. Under steady flow conditions jet lift off is generated for these high blowing ratios. If the frequency of the mainstream and the jet flow is increased, the amplitude of coolant jet flow rate oscillation is increased for the same reason as mentioned above for M = 0.5. This leads to less jet lift off during the cycle resulting in more frequent coolant contact with the wall and consequently increased centerline effectiveness as frequency increases. In addition, the entrainment of hot gases underneath the jet doesn’t lead to higher mixing between the hot mainstream and the coolant and this results in decreased heat transfer coefficient. This is also indicated by the turbulent kinetic energy levels. Some representative results are: when the frequency of the main flow is increased from 0 Hz to 2, 16, or 32 Hz at M = 1.0, the centerline effectiveness is increased about 8%, 19%, or 320%. Also, if the oscillation frequency is increased from 2 Hz to 16, or 32 Hz at M = 1.0, the spanwise-averaged Stanton number ratio is decreased around 2%, to 5% respectively. It seems like the cut off point for low and high blowing ratio behavior of cooling jets is around M = 0.78.