Forced convection heat transfer of steam in a square ribbed channel

Abstract

An experimental study of heat transfer characteristics of steam in a square channel (simulating a gas turbine blade cooling passage) with two opposite surfaces roughened by 60 deg parallel ribs was performed. The ranges of key governing parameters were: Reynolds numbers (Re) based on the channel hydraulic diameter (30000–140000), entry gauge pressure (0.2Mpa–0.5Mpa), heat flux of heat transfer surface area (5kWm−2–20kWm−2), and steam superheat (13°C–51°C). The test channel length was 1000mm, while the rib spacing (p/e) was 10, and the ratio of rib height (e) to hydraulic diameter (D) was 0.048. The test channel was heated by passing current through stainless steel walls instrumented with thermocouples. The local heat transfer coefficients on the ribbed wall from the channel entrance to the fully developed regions were measured. The semi-empirical correlation was fitted out by using the average Nusselt numbers in the fully developed region to cover the range of Reynolds number. The correlation can be used in the design of new generation of gas turbine blade cooled by steam.