Session: 01-09 Transformative Technologies Driving Oil & Gas Efficiency and Sustainability

Paper Number: 172116

172116 - Innovative Approaches to Film Cooling for Optimizing Gas Turbine Performance 

This study presents a detailed numerical investigation of an innovative hybrid film cooling design aimed at enhancing the thermal performance and durability of gas turbine blades, which are crucial components in energy production and industrial applications. The proposed design integrates a converging slot hole (console), a cylindrical hole, and a strategically placed auxiliary branching cylindrical jet to optimize coolant distribution and heat transfer. Simulations were performed using the open-source CFD software OpenFOAM at blowing ratios of B = 0.37, 0.60, and 0.87, with a density ratio of DR = 1. The computational model was validated against experimental data, showing excellent agreement and confirming the reliability of the numerical approach.

Two geometric variants, referred to as F1 and F2, were studied using the SST k–ω turbulence model to accurately capture complex flow structures. The investigation focused on the effect of different auxiliary jet placements, including symmetric dual jets located at ±2D and ±3D, as well as single jets positioned upstream and downstream relative to the main cooling hole. Results revealed that symmetric dual jets and upstream-only placements did not significantly enhance cooling effectiveness. Instead, the highest performance was observed when a single auxiliary jet was placed adjacent and downstream of the main hole at +2D and +3D positions. This configuration improved coolant adherence to the surface, minimized the adverse impact of counter-rotating vortex pairs (CRVP), and achieved better lateral coolant coverage, especially at higher blowing ratios.

These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing film cooling configurations for turbine blades, contributing to improved operational efficiency and component lifespan. Furthermore, this work exemplifies the integration of advanced digital simulation tools and engineering design principles, aligning with the digital transformation goals within the oil and gas industry for enhanced thermal management and energy efficiency.

Presenting Author: ilyes belouddane Laboratory of Applied Mechanics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of Oran, Mohamed-Boudiaf (USTO-MB), El Mnaouar, BP 1505, 31000 Bir El Djir, Oran, Algeria

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Ilyes Belouddane is a mechanical engineer and Ph.D. researcher specializing in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and advanced cooling technologies. He currently serves as a mechanical technician at SONATRACH GL2/Z, one of Algeria’s largest natural gas liquefaction complexes. His research explores hybrid cooling designs and performance optimization using open-source platforms such as OpenFOAM. Passionate about innovation beyond traditional mechanical engineering, Dr. Belouddane is actively seeking opportunities to collaborate across digital transformation, energy systems, and smart technologies, with the goal of contributing to a more efficient and sustainable oil and gas sector.