Effect of Discrete Surface Disturbances on Vane External Heat Transfer

Abstract

A transonic linear vane cascade has been utilized to assess the effects of localized surface disturbances on airfoil external heat transfer coefficient distributions, such as those which may be created by the spallation of thermal barrier coatings. The cascade operates at an overall pressure ratio of 1.86, with an inlet total pressure of about 5 atm. Cascade Reynolds numbers based on axial chord length and exit velocity range from 2.2 to 4.8 · 106. Surface disturbances are modeled with the use of narrow trip strips glued onto the surface at selected locations, such that sharp forward facing steps are presented to the boundary layer. Surface locations investigated include the near leading edge region on either side of the stagnation point, the midchord region of the pressure side, and the high curvature region of the suction side. Heat transfer enhancement factors are obtained for disturbances with engine representative height-to-momentum thickness ratios, as a function of Reynolds number. Enhancement factors are compared for both smooth and rough airfoil surfaces with added disturbances, as well as low and high freestream turbulence intensity. Results show that leading edge heat transfer is dominated by freestream turbulence intensity effects, such that enhancements of nearly 50% at low turbulence levels are reduced to about 10% at elevated turbulence levels. Both pressure and suction side enhancement factors are dominated by surface roughness caused effects, with large enhancements for smooth surfaces being drastically reduced for roughened surfaces.