Separated Flow Transition Under Simulated Low-Pressure Turbine Airfoil Conditions—Part 1: Mean Flow and Turbulence Statistics

Boundary layer separation, transition and reattachment have been studied experimentally under low-pressure turbine airfoil conditions. Cases with Reynolds numbers (Re) ranging from 25,000 to 300,000 (based on suction surface length and exit velocity) have been considered at low (0.5%) and high (9% inlet) free-stream turbulence levels. Mean and fluctuating velocity and intermittency profiles are presented for streamwise locations all along the airfoil, and turbulent shear stress profiles are provided for the downstream region where separation and transition occur. Higher Re or free-stream turbulence level moves transition upstream. Transition is initiated in the shear layer over the separation bubble and leads to rapid boundary layer reattachment. At the lowest Re, transition did not occur before the trailing edge, and the boundary layer did not reattach. Turbulent shear stress levels can remain low in spite of high free-stream turbulence and high fluctuating streamwise velocity in the shear layer. The beginning of a significant rise in the turbulent shear stress signals the beginning of transition. A slight rise in the turbulent shear stress near the trailing edge was noted even in those cases which did not undergo transition or reattachment. The present results provide detailed documentation of the boundary layer and extend the existing database to lower Re. The present results also serve as a baseline for an investigation of turbulence spectra in Part 2 of the present paper, and for ongoing work involving transition and separation control.