NASA Low-Speed Centrifugal Compressor for Three-Dimensional Viscous Code Assessment and Fundamental Flow Physics Research

A low-speed centrifugal compressor facility recently built by the NASA Lewis Research Center is described. The purpose of this facility is to obtain detailed flow field measurements for computational fluid dynamic code assessment and flow physics modeling in support of Army and NASA efforts to advance small gas turbine engine technology. The facility is heavily instrumented with prssure and temperature probes, in both the stationary and rotating frames of reference, and has provisions for flow visualiation and laser velocimetry. The facility will accomodate rotational speeds to 2400 rpm and is rated at pressures to 1.25 atm