The Development of the Mean Flow and Turbulence Structure in an Annular S-Shaped Duct

This paper describes an investigation of the mean and fluctuating flow field within an annular S-shaped duct which is representative of that used to connect the compressor spools of aircraft gas turbine engines. Data was obtained from a fully annular test facility using a 3-component Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA) system. The measurements indicate that development of the flow within the duct is complex and significantly influenced by the combined effects of streamwise pressure gradients and flow curvature. In addition CFD predictions of the flow, using both the k-ε and Reynolds stress transport equation turbulence models, are compared with the experimental data. Whereas curvature effects are not described properly by the k-ε model, such effects are captured more accurately by the Reynolds stress model leading to a better prediction of the Reynolds shear stress distribution. This, in turn, leads to a more accurate prediction of the mean velocity profiles, as reflected by the boundary layer shape parameters, particularly in the critical regions of the duct where flow separation is most likely to occur.