Measurement of heat-transfer rate to a gas turbine stator

To achieve maximum cycle efficiencies with gas-turbine engines, designers must select the maximum possible turbine inlet temperatures within the constraints of structural integrity. Because accurate heat-transfer rate measurements are an important consideration in achieving this goal, Calspan Corp. has appllied state-of-the-art shock-tube technology and well-established transient-test techniques to measure the spatial distribution of heat-transfer rate on the first-stage stationary inlet nozzle of AiResearch Manufacturing Co.'s TFE-731-2 engine under gas-dynamic conditions that simulate engine operating conditions. The test time and mass-flow rate available from the shock-tube reservoir and the flow-establishment time in the test section are all acceptable for the purposes of performing these heat-transfer rate measurements. In addition, useful cascade-loss data can be obtained using the experimental apparatus described.