Turbine blade heat transfer prediction in flow transition using k-ω two-equation model

The proper design of a turbine blade has an important effect on engine performance and efficiency. The thermal design of a turbine blade is also greatly influenced by the flow transition phenomena of the boundary layer. Transition in turbine flowfields is a complex process and is influenced by the Reynolds number, pressure gradient, geometry, and freestream turbulence, etc. In this study, a k-ω turbulence model is used to investigate the flow transition as well as problems concerned with heat transfer. The model predicts well the transition point and the associated transitional heat transfer coefficients for flat plate flows. With a suitable surface curvature correction to closure coefficients of the model, reasonable heat transfer predictions in flow transition are simulated for turbine blade flows.