Development of a Large-Scale Wind Tunnel for the Simulation of Turbomachinery Airfoil Boundary Layers

Abstract

The procedures employed for the design of a closed-circuit, boundary layer wind tunnel are described. The tunnel was designed for the generation of large-scale, two-dimensional boundary layers on a heated flat surface with Reynolds numbers, pressure gradients, and free-stream turbulence levels typical of turbomachinery airfoils. The results of a series of detailed tests to evaluate the tunnel performance are also described. Testing was conducted for zero pressure gradient flow with natural boundary layer transition. Heat transfer data and boundary layer profiles are presented for a flow with 0.25 percent free-stream turbulence. The flow in the tunnel test-section was shown to be highly uniform and two-dimensional. Test boundary layer profile and convective heat transfer data were self-consistent and in excellent agreement with classic correlations. Test-section free-stream total pressure, multi-component turbulence intensity, longitudinal integral scale, and spectral distributions are presented for grid-generated turbulence levels ranging from 1 to 7 percent. The test-section free-stream turbulence was shown to be both homogeneous and nearly isotropic. Anticipated applications of the facility include studies of the heat transfer and aerodynamics for conditions typical of those existing on gas turbine airfoils.