Measurements and Predictions of Heat Transfer on Rotor Blades in a Transonic Turbine Cascade

Abstract

Detailed heat transfer measurements and predictions are given for a power generation turbine rotor with 127 deg of nominal turning and an axial chord of 130 mm. Data were obtained for a set of four exit Reynolds numbers comprised of the facility maximum point of 2.50 × 106, as well as conditions which represent 50%, 25%, and 15% of this maximum condition. Three ideal exit pressure ratios were examined including the design point of 1.443, as well as conditions which represent −25% and +20% of the design value. Three inlet flow angles were examined including the design point and ±5 deg off-design angles. Measurements were made in a linear cascade with highly three-dimensional blade passage flows that resulted from the high flow turning and thick inlet boundary layers. Inlet turbulence was generated with a blown square bar grid. The purpose of the work is the extension of three-dimensional predictive modeling capability for airfoil external heat transfer to engine specific conditions including blade shape, Reynolds numbers, and Mach numbers. Data were obtained by a steady-state technique using a thin-foil heater wrapped around a low thermal conductivity blade. Surface temperatures were measured using calibrated liquid crystals. The results show the effects of strong secondary vortical flows, laminar-to-turbulent transition, and also show good detail in the stagnation region.