Heat transfer in a radially rotating smooth-walled tube

Abstract

SummaryThis paper describes a detailed experimental investigation of turbulent heat transfer in a radially rotating tube with particular reference to its application to the design of cooled turbine rotor blades. The paper focuses on the strategy adopted, the description of the apparatus used, the method of data processing and a selection of measurements which illustrate the manner by which Coriolis force and centripetal buoyancy force interactively affect the local heat transfer along the leading and trailing edges of the tube.As well as re-confirming the fact that Coriolis force and centripetal buoyancy have a significant influence on the forced convection mechanism present due to the through flow, a number of new experimentally-based observations are presented. An empirical correlation, which is physically consistent, has been developed which permits the interactive effect of Coriolis force and centripetal buoyancy on forced convection to be evaluated and quantified.The work has been motivated by the need to understand the general effect of rotation on the performance of the internal cooling airways used in gas turbine rotor blades.