Fundamental Research on Boundary Layer Separation and Entropy Generation Using a Transonic Research Turbine

Internal flow related to turbines and turbine components form a class of flow fields that are of scientific and practical interest. The performance and entropy generated in such flows impacts the amount of fuel used in propulsion as well as land-based power applications. A high-speed turbine facility has been constructed, commissioned, and utilized over the last five years for the purpose of studying the fluid mechanics of flows related to turbines. The facility was designed so that detailed measurements could be acquired using a wide variety of test articles and instrumentation. This paper will provide a review of many of the pertinent design features and details, and will provide examples of detailed measurements obtained using a highly-loaded, low-pressure turbine. Nomenclature m c = corrected mass flow rate N c = design corrected rotational speed η = stage efficiency π = stage total pressure ratio τ = stage total temperature ratio