Infrared thermography with non-uniform heat flux boundary conditions on the rotor endwall of an axial turbine

Abstract

It is technically challenging to measure heat fluxes on the rotating components of gas turbines, yet accurate knowledge of local heat loads under engine-representative conditions is crucial for ensuring the reliability of the designs. In this work, quantitative image processing tools were developed to perform fast and accurate infrared thermography measurements on 3D-shaped film-heaters directly deposited on the turbine endwalls. The newly developed image processing method and instrumentation were used to measure the heat load on the rotor endwalls of an axial turbine. A step-transient heat flux calibration technique is applied to measure the heat flux generated locally by the film heater, thus eliminating the need for a rigorously iso-energetic boundary condition. On-board electronics installed on the rotor record the temperature readings of RTDs installed in the substrate below the heaters in order to evaluate the conductive losses in the solid. Full maps of heat transfer coefficient and adiabatic wall temperature are produced for two different operating conditions, demonstrating the sensitivity of the technique to local flow features and variations in heat transfer due to Reynolds number effect.