The interaction of flow and film-cooling effectiveness between jets of double-jet film-cooling (DJFC) holes on a flat plate is studied experimentally. The time-averaged flow field in several axial positions (X/d = −2.0, 1.0, and 5.0) is obtained through a seven-hole probe. The downstream film-cooling effectiveness on the flat plate is measured by pressure sensitive paint (PSP). The inclination angle (θ) of all the holes is 35 deg, and the compound angle (β) is ±45 deg. Effects of the spanwise distance (p = 0, 0.5d, 1.0d, 1.5d, and 2.0d) between the two interacting jets of DJFC holes are studied, while the streamwise distance (s) is kept as 3d. The blowing ratio (M) varies as 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0. The density ratio (DR) is maintained at 1.0. Results show that the interaction between the two jets of DJFC holes has different effects at different spanwise distances. For a small spanwise distance (p/d = 0), the interaction between the jets presents a pressing effect. The downstream jet is pressed down and kept attached to the surface by the upstream one. The effectiveness is not sensitive to blowing ratios. For mid-spanwise distances (p/d = 0.5 and 1.0), the antikidney vortex pair dominates the interaction and pushes both of the jets down, thus leading to better coolant coverage and higher effectiveness. As the spanwise distance becomes larger (p/d ≥ 1.5), the pressing effect almost disappears, and the antikidney vortex pair effect is weaker. The jets separate from each other and the coolant coverage decreases. At a higher blowing ratio, the interaction between the jets of DJFC holes happens later.

The film cooling effectiveness distribution and its uniformity downstream of a row of film cooling holes on a flat plate are investigated by pressure sensitive paint (PSP) under different density ratios. Several hole geometries are studied, including streamwise cylindrical holes, compound-angled cylindrical holes, streamwise fan-shape holes, compound-angled fan-shape holes, and double-jet film-cooling (DJFC) holes. All of them have an inclination angle (θ) of 35 deg. The compound angle (β) is 45 deg. The fan-shape holes have a 10 deg expansion in the spanwise direction. For a fair comparison, the pitch is kept as 4d for the cylindrical and the fan-shape holes, and 8d for the DJFC holes. The uniformity of effectiveness distribution is described by a new parameter (Lateral-Uniformity, LU) defined in this paper. The effects of density ratios (DR = 1.0, 1.5 and 2.5) on the film-cooling effectiveness and its uniformity are focused. Differences among geometries and effects of blowing ratios (M = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0) are also considered. The results show that at higher density ratios, the lateral spread of the discrete-hole geometries (i.e., the cylindrical and the fan-shape holes) is enhanced, while the DJFC holes is more advantageous in film-cooling effectiveness. Mostly, a higher lateral-uniformity is obtained at DR = 2.5 due to better coolant coverage and enhanced lateral spread, but the effects of the density ratio on the lateral-uniformity are not monotonic in some cases. Utilizing the compound angle configuration leads to an increased lateral-uniformity due to a stronger spanwise motion of the jet. Generally, with a higher blowing ratio, the lateral-uniformity of the discrete-hole geometries decreases due to narrower traces, while that of the DJFC holes increases due to a stronger spanwise movement.

The thermal performance of two V-type rib configurations is measured in a rotating, two-pass cooling channel. The coolant travels radially outward in the rectangular first pass (aspect ratio (AR—channel width:height) = 4:1) and radially inward in the second pass (AR = 2:1). Both the passages are oriented 90 deg to the direction of rotation. The leading surface (LS) and trailing surface (TS) of the channel are roughened with V-type ribs. The first V-shaped configuration has a narrow gap at the apex of the V. The configuration is modified by off-setting one leg of the V to create a staggered discrete, V-shaped configuration. The ribs are oriented 45 deg relative to the streamwise coolant direction. The heat transfer enhancement and frictional losses are measured with varying Reynolds and rotation numbers. The Reynolds number varies from 10,000 to 45,000 in the AR = 4:1 first pass; this corresponds to 16,000 to 73,500 in the AR = 2:1 second pass. The maximum rotation numbers are 0.39 and 0.16 in the first and second passes, respectively. The heat transfer enhancement on both the leading and trailing surfaces of the first pass of the 45 deg V-shaped channel is slightly reduced with rotation. In the second pass, the heat transfer increases on the leading surface, while it decreases on the trailing surface. The 45 deg staggered, discrete V-shaped ribs provide increased heat transfer and thermal performance compared to the traditional V-shaped and standard, 45 deg angled rib turbulators.

The effects of mainstream flow velocity, density ratio (DR), and coolant-to-mainstream mass flow ratio (MFR) on a vane endwall in a transonic, annular cascade were investigated. A blow down facility consisting of five vanes was used. The film cooling effectiveness was measured using binary pressure-sensitive paint (BPSP). The mainstream flow was set using isentropic exit Mach numbers of 0.7 and 0.9. The coolant-to-mainstream density ratio varied from 1.0 to 2.0. The coolant-to- mainstream MFR varied from 0.75% to 1.25%. The endwall was cooled by 18 discrete holes located upstream of the vane passage to provide cooling to the upstream half of the endwall. Due to the curvature of the vane endwall, the upstream holes provided uniform coverage entering the endwall passage. The coverage was effective leading to the throat of the passage, where the downstream holes could provide additional protection. Increasing the coolant flowrate increased the effectiveness provided by the film cooling holes. Increasing the density of the coolant increases the effectiveness on the endwall while enhancing the lateral spread of the coolant. Finally, increasing the velocity of the mainstream while holding the MFR constant also yields increased protection on the endwall. Over the range of flow conditions considered in this study, the binary pressure-sensitive paint proved to be a valuable tool for obtaining detailed pressure and film effectiveness distributions.

This study features a rotating, blade-shaped, two-pass cooling channel with a variable aspect ratio (AR). Internal cooling passages of modern gas turbine blades closely follow the shape and contour of the airfoils. Therefore, the cross section and the orientation with respect to rotation varies for each cooling channel. The effect of passage orientation on the heat transfer and pressure loss is investigated by comparing to a planar channel design with a similar geometry. Following the blade cross section, the first pass of the serpentine channel is angled at 50 deg from the direction of rotation while the second pass has an orientation angle of 105 deg. The coolant flows radially outward in the first passage with an AR = 4:1. After a 180-deg tip turn, the coolant travels radially inward into the second passage with AR = 2:1. The copper plate method is applied to obtain the regionally averaged heat transfer coefficients on all the interior walls of the cooling channel. In addition to the smooth surface case, 45 deg angled ribs with a profiled cross section are also placed on the leading and trailing surfaces in both the passages. The ribs are placed such that P/e = 10 and e/H = 0.16. The Reynolds number varies from 10,000 to 45,000 in the first passage and 16,000 to 73,000 in the second passage. The rotational speed ranges from 0 to 400 rpm, which corresponds to maximum rotation numbers of 0.38 and 0.15 in the first and second passes, respectively. The blade-shaped feature affects the heat transfer and pressure loss in the cooling channels. In the second passage, the heat transfer on the outer wall and trailing surface is higher than the inner wall and leading surface due to flow impingement and the swirling motion induced by the blade-shaped tip turn. The rotational effect on the heat transfer and pressure loss is lower in the blade-shaped design than the planar design due to the feature of angled rotation. The tip wall heat transfer is significantly enhanced by rotation in this study. The overall heat transfer and pressure loss in this study is higher than the planar geometry due to the blade-shaped feature. The heat transfer and pressure loss characteristics from this study provide important information for the gas turbine blade internal cooling designs.