Combined 3-D Flow and Heat Transfer Measurements in a 2-Pass Internal Coolant Passage of Gas Turbine Airfoils

Abstract

A study of the flow and heat transfer in a stationary model of a two-pass internal coolant passage is presented, which focuses on the flow characteristic effects on the wall heat transfer distribution. Results are given in the upstream fully developed region. Heat transfer measurements were made with a transient technique using thermochromic liquid crystal technique to measure a surface temperature. The technique allows full surface heat transfer coefficient measurements on all the walls. Flow measurements were made with a stereoscopic digital PIV system, which measures all three-velocity components simultaneously. The coolant passage model consists of two square ducts, each having a 20 hydraulic diameter length. The ducts are connected by a sharp 180 deg bend with a rectangular outer wall. 45 deg ribs are mounted in a staggered arrangement on the bottom and top walls of both legs. The height of the ribs is equal to 0.1 hydraulic diameters. They are spaced 10 rib heights apart. The flow and heat transfer measurements were obtained at one flow condition with an inlet flow Reynolds number, based on the hydraulic diameter, of 50,000. The paper presents detailed measurement results of the flow characteristics and of the heat transfer distribution in the upstream straight leg of the passage and describes how the main and secondary flows influence the heat transfer distribution in the fully developed regions of the channel.