Large Eddy Simulation of Bypass Transition in Vane Passage with Freestream Turbulence

High Reynolds flow over a nozzle guide-vane with elevated inflow turbulence was simulated using wall-resolved large eddy stimulation (LES). The simulations were undertaken at an exit Reynolds number of 0.5x10(6) and inflow turbulence levels of .7% and 7.9% and for uniform heat-flux boundary conditions corresponding to the measurements of (Varty, J. W., and Ames, E., 2016, ASME Paper No. IMECE2016-67029). The predicted heat transfer distribution over the vane is in excellent agreement with measurements. At higher freestream turbulence, le simulations accurately capture the laminar heat transfer augmentation on the pressure surface and the transition to turbulence on the suction surface. The bypass transition on the action surface is preceded by boundary layer streaks formed under the external forcing of freestream disturbances which breakdown to turbulence through inner mode secondary instabilities. Underneath the locally formed turbulent spot, heat transfer coefficient spikes and generally follows the same pattern the turbulent spot. The details of the flow and temperature fields on the suction side are characterized and first and second order statistics are documented. The turbulent Prandtl number in le boundary layer is generally in the range of 0.7-1, but decays rapidly near the wall.