Endwall heat transfer in wedge channel with teardrop pin fins, circular fins and oblong pin fins

Abstract

Abstract The turbine inlet air temperatures exhibit a significant degree of elevation, hence leading to potential adverse consequences such as the degradation of blade material integrity. Consequently, the necessity to cool the turbine blades has arisen, leading to the implementation of various cooling systems. This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of three different types of pin fins, namely oblong, circular, and teardrop, in a wedge duct. The range of Reynolds number considered for the analysis is between 10,000 and 70,000, whereas the pin fins and endwalls are subjected to a uniform heat flux of 3280 W/m2. The findings suggest that the friction factor associated with teardrop pin fins is 28.4 % lesser than circular pin fins and when compared to oblong pin fins; it is reduced by 34.5 %. The findings suggest that the friction factor associated with teardrop pin fins is 14 % lower compared to oblong and circular pin fins. The TPF improves with Re, and it is 24.5 % higher than oblong pin fin geometry and 39.2 % higher than circular shaped pin fins.