Comparison of Steady and Unsteady Secondary Flows in a Turbine Stator Cascade

Abstract

The effect of periodic rotor wakes on the secondary flow structure in a turbine stator cascade was investigated. A mechanism simulated the wakes shed from rotor blades by passing cylindrical rods across the inlet to a linear cascade installed in a recirculating water flow loop. Velocity measurements showed a passage vortex, similar to that seen in steady flow, during the time associated with undisturbed fluid. However, as the rotor wake passed through the blade row, a large crossflow toward the suction surface was observed in the midspan region. This caused the development of two large areas of circulation between the midspan and endwall regions, significantly distorting and weakening the passage vortices.