An Experimental Study of Endwall and Airfoil Surface Heat Transfer in a Large Scale Turbine Blade Cascade

Local rates of heat transfer on the endwall, suction, and pressure surfaces of a large scale turbine blade cascade were measured for two inlet boundary layer thicknesses and for a Reynolds number typical of gas turbine engine operation. The accuracy and spatial resolution of the measurements were sufficient to reveal local variations of heat transfer associated with distinct flow regimes and with regions of strong three-dimensional flow. Pertinent results of surface flow visualization and pressure measurements are included. The dominant role of the passage vortex, which develops from the singular separation of the inlet boundary layer, in determining heat transfer at the endwall and at certain regions of the airfoil surface is illustrated. Heat transfer on the passage surfaces is discussed and measurements at airfoil midspan are compared with current finite difference prediction methods.