The Aerodynamics of Trailing-Edge-Cooled Transonic Turbine Blades: Part 1 — Experimental Approach

Abstract

The research presented in this part of the paper involved a detailed experimental study of the flow through transonic turbine blading with trailing edge coolant ejection. The tests were carried out on (nearly) flat plate models representing the region of uncovered turning downstream of the throat. The investigation focused on the aerodynamic aspects associated with trailing edge ejection in steady two-dimensional flow over a range of exit Mach numbers, coolant pressure ratios and temperature ratios. The experiments showed that the simple existence of the coolant cavity leads to a substantial change of the flow field in the near wake. Consequently, the slotted unblown base was found to have considerably less loss than the solid one. The effect of coolant ejection is shown to cause a substantial increase in base pressure and reduction in overall loss. The surface static pressure distribution and boundary layers were affected by the coolant in two ways: directly from downstream, via the base pressure, and indirectly through a changed trailing edge shock system. However, the coolant stagnation temperature ratio was found to have no discernible effect on the base pressure and loss.