Observations on the Influence of Rotation on Heat Transfer in the Coolant Channels of Gas Turbine Rotor Blades

This paper reports the results of an experimental study of the combined influence of Coriolis acceleration and centripetal buoyancy on heat transfer in a cylindrical tube which rotates about an axis orthogonal to its axis of symmetry. It is demonstrated that for a radially outward flow, Coriolis acceleration tends to improve heat transfer. However the Coriolis-induced improvement to heat transfer may be nullified and reversed due to centripetal buoyancy and this is demonstrated. Proposals are made which permit an overall assessment of these two interacting effects to be made. The implications of the results reported in relation to the design of conventionally cooled turbine rotor blades are discussed.