Abstract
The thermal performance of two V-type rib configurations is measured in a rotating, two-pass cooling channel. Modeling modern, high pressure, turbine blades, the cross-section of the cooling channel varies from the first pass to the second pass. The coolant travels radially outward in the rectangular first pass with an aspect ratio of 4:1. Near the tip region, the coolant turns 180°, and travels radially inward in a 2:1 rectangular channel. The serpentine passage is positioned such that both the first and second passes are oriented 90° to the direction of rotation. The leading and trailing surfaces of both the first and second pass of the channel are roughened with V-type rib turbulators. The thermal performance of two V-type configurations is measured in this two-pass channel. The first V-shaped configuration is similar to a traditional V-shaped turbulator with 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° relative to the streamwise coolant direction. In both passes, the rib spacing is P/e = 10 and the rib height – to – channel height is e/H = 0.16. The heat transfer enhancement and frictional losses are measured for both rib configurations 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. Considering the effect of rotation, the rotational speed of the channel varies from 0–400 rpm with maximum rotation numbers of 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° 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° staggered, discrete V-shaped ribs provide increased heat transfer and thermal performance compared to the traditional V-shaped and standard, 45° angled rib turbulators.