Optimization Of The Ls89 Axial Turbine Profile Using A Cad And Adjoint Based Approach

Authors

Ismael Sanchez Torreguitart - Von Karman Institute For Fluid Dynamics
Tom Verstraete - Queen Mary University of London
Lasse Mueller - Von Karman Institute For Fluid Dynamics

Abstract

The LS89 high pressure axial turbine vane was originally designed and optimized for a downstream isentropic Mach number of 0.9. This profile has been widely used for CFD validation in the open literature but very few attempts have been made to improve the already optimized design. This paper presents the results of a single point CAD-based adjoint CFD optimization of the LS89. The gradients used for the optimization are obtained via a novel approach in which both the CAD kernel and grid generation are differentiated using Algorithmic Differentiation techniques. A reduction of almost 12% entropy generation is achieved, which is equivalent to a 16% total pressure loss reduction. The entropy generation is reduced whilst keeping the exit flow angle as a flow constraint, which is enforced via the penalty formulation. The resulting unconstrained optimization problem is solved by the L-BFGS-B algorithm. The trailing edge thickness and the axial chord length are kept fixed as manufacturing constraints. The flow is governed by the Reynoldsaveraged Navier-Stokes equations and the one-equation transport Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model. The optimal profile is compared and benchmarked against the baseline case.