The low pressure turbine (LPT) of a gas turbine contains interacting flow features, including separation, laminar and turbulent boundary layers, wake flows, end-wall effects and tip leakage flows that are a challenge for traditional computational fluid dynamics approaches. However, recent advances in computer performance and algorithms mean that such flow are now amenable to direct numerical simulation (DNS), providing reference solutions that allow the flow physics to be investigated in detail. In addition, the performance of less computationally demanding approaches can be validated against the results of DNS. The aim of the present project is to extend the capabilities of DNS and then to analyse in detail the mechanisms of loss generation and how these can be reduced by careful attention to details of the geometric design.

Please note that the funding for this project only covers the fees for UK/EU students.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Prof Neil Sandham, Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics research group, Email: n.sandham<στο>soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 2872.