On the reduction of the noise in a low-pressure turbine cascade associated with the wavy leading edge

Abstract

The low-pressure turbine (LPT) has become a potential noise source for future ultra-high by-pass ratio engines. In this paper, the feasibility and mechanism of wavy leading edge (WLE) noise control in the LPT cascade model are analyzed. The flow field and acoustic data are obtained with the large eddy simulation and Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings methods, which are validated using experimental data. The acoustic results are compared for different models; the maximum noise reduction can achieve 8.6 and 3.7 dBA in the frequency bands of FR#2 (315–4000 Hz) and FR#4 (6300–16 000 Hz), respectively; the noise reduction does not vary proportionally to the WLE parameter. The noise source is identified in the baseline model, and then the effect of WLE amplitude and wavelength on the noise source and its control on pressure fluctuations are evaluated. The pressure statistics demonstrate that WLE with a smaller wavelength and a larger amplitude can reduce the impingement of stator wakes on the leading edge of the rotor and stabilize the pressure fluctuation. To analyze the mechanism of WLEs on noise control, the pressure spectrum in terms of amplitude and coherence coefficient is utilized to explain the excellent noise performance of the WLE model in FR#2. The proposed similarity coefficient of coherence can quantify the destructive interference level and thus the coherence characteristics of the sound source. Generally, the noise reduction level can be predicted by the combination of the similarity coefficient and the amplitude spectrum of the pressure fluctuations for the WLE models.