The Effect of Free-Stream Turbulence on Gas Turbine Blade Heat Transfer

Abstract

This paper describes the results of systematic investigations undertaken to study the effect of free-stream turbulence on the heat transfer coefficient distribution around gas turbine rotor blades and nozzle guide vanes. The heat transfer coefficient distribution around the blade surface was obtained under a uniform heat flux boundary condition. Experiments were conducted in the Reynolds number range 2.0–8.1 × 105 (exit Mach number range 0.182 to 0.600) with the free-stream turbulence level in the range 1.0–21.3 percent. A new type of active turbulence generator was used for generating high turbulence levels. Correlations were obtained for the effect of free-stream turbulence on the local heat transfer coefficient in the laminar, transitional, and turbulent boundary layer regions.