The Design, Development and Testing of a Non-Uniform Inlet Temperature Generator for the QinetiQ Transient Turbine Research Facility

Abstract

This paper presents the design, development and testing of a non-uniform inlet temperature generator for the QinetiQ Isentropic Light Piston Facility, a short duration turbine research facility. Major modifications were made to the facility to incorporate a non-uniform inlet temperature generator following a pilot study where a two-dimensional inlet section of the facility was replicated. The inlet region was modified to allow injection of cold gas at the hub and casing to generate the radial profile, whereas cold gas was injected from upstream turbulence rods to generate the circumferential variation (hot spots). Two configurations of hot spots were generated and characterised for both temperature and pressure. Heat transfer results at 50% span for the nozzle guide vane aerofoil are presented with and without inlet temperature non-uniformity.