Numerical simulation of 3D flow in VKI-Genoa turbine cascade including laminar-turbulent transition

This study presents a numerical simulation of a 3D viscous flow in the VKI-Genoa cascade taking into account the laminar-turbulent transition. The numerical simulation is performed using the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and the two-equation k-ω SST turbulence model. The algebraic Production Term Modification model is used for modeling the laminar-turbulent transition. Computations of both fully turbulent and transitional flows are carried out. The Mach number contours, the turbulence kinetic energy, the entropy function as well as the limiting streamlines are presented. Our numerical results demonstrate the influence of the laminar-turbulent transition on the secondary flow pattern. The comparison between the present computational results and the existing experimental and numerical data shows that the proposed approach reflects sufficiently the physics of the laminar-turbulent transition in turbine cascades.