Internal Cooling in 4:1 AR Passages at High Rotation Numbers

Abstract

Heat transfer and pressure drop measurements are reported for a rotating 4:1 aspect ratio (AR) smooth two-pass coolant passage for Reynolds number in the range of 10,000–150,000, rotation number in the range of 0–0.6, and density ratios in the range of 0.1–0.2. The measurements are performed for both 90deg and 45deg orientations of the coolant passage relative to the rotational axis. A large-scale rotating heat transfer rig is utilized, with the test section consisting of segmented foil-heated elements and thermocouples. Results for the 4:1 AR indicate that beyond specific Ro values (different values for the inlet and outlet passages), the expected trends of heat transfer enhancement on the destabilized surface and degradation on the stabilized surface are arrested or reversed. Unlike the 1:1 AR, the inlet-leading surface for the 4:1 AR shows enhancement with Ro at low Re (less than 20,000) and shows the expected degradation only at high Re. Increasing the density ratio enhances the heat transfer on all walls. Orientation of the coolant passage relative to the rotational axis has an important effect, with the 45deg orientation reducing the heat transfer on the destabilized surface and enhancing it on the stabilized surface.