Large eddy simulation of free-stream turbulence effects on heat transfer to a high-pressure turbine cascade

Large eddy simulation of an uncooled, transonic, linear high-pressure turbine vane cascade has been pursued using a high-order numerical method with about 83 million grid points. Heat transfer and boundary layer development on the surface of the blade are investigated in the presence of inflow turbulence. Quantitative comparisons with the experiments of Arts et al. (Tech. Note 174, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium, 1990) show excellent agreement. The distortion of vortices from the inflow turbulence in the cascade passage leads to the formation of long streamwise streaky structures, leading to transition of suction-side boundary layer. Significant heat transfer augmentation is seen on both the pressure and suction sides because of the presence of these structures.