Effect of Density Ratio on Multi-Row Film Cooling Performance

Abstract

This study is an investigation into the effects of density ratio on the jet structure of different film cooling configurations. A simple-shaped cylindrical hole is tested at a tight spacing, which has a lateral and streamwise pitch-to-hole-diameter ratio of 7.5. Each of the holes are 3.8mm in diameter, and have a hole length-to-diameter ratio of 11.2. The holes are inclined at 20°. The cylindrical hole shapes were machined from an aluminum plate. Two different density ratios of nominally 1 and 1.5, are achieved by alternating the coolant gas between air and CO2 respectively, while maintaining a constant freestream velocity of 36.2 m/s. In order to compare cases between different densities, various ratios are independently matched for both density ratios. Blowing ratios comparisons made at 0.3 and 0.5, accompanied by comparisons of momentum flux ratio and velocity ratio at 0.1 and 0.3, respectively. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) is utilized to measure the flow field of the centerline planes of the film cooling arrays over the two density ratios. This data is then used to investigate flow interactions as coolant leaves the film cooling hole, and structure of the jet as it enters and mixes with the freestream. When comparing density ratio effects at low blowing and momentum flux ratios, increased turbulence intensities are seen closer to the surface for CO2 injection. This suggests that the overall performance of the film decreases with increasing density ratio at these low mass flux and momentum flux cases. However, when increasing blowing ratio, the higher density injection is seen to have lower levels of turbulence in the near wall region, when compared to that of the lower density fluid. This suggests that as blowing ratio increases, the higher density fluid out performs the lower density fluid. When a low constant velocity ratio is observed, the higher density fluid is seen to have decreased levels of turbulence, again suggesting that the higher density fluid out performs the low density fluid.