Numerical simulation of a film cooled turbine blade leading edge including heat transfer effects

Computations and experiments were run to study heat transfer and overall effectiveness for a simulated turbine blade leading edge. Computational predictions were run for a film cooled leading edge model using a conjugate numerical method to predict the normalized “metal” temperatures for the model. This computational study was done in conjunction with a parallel effort to experimentally determine normalized metal temperatures, i.e. overall effectiveness, using a specially designed high conductivity model. Predictions of overall effectiveness were higher than experimentally measured values in the stagnation region, but lower along the downstream section of the leading edge. Reasons for the differences between computational predictions and experimental measurements were examined. Also of interest was the validity of Taw as the driving temperature for heat transfer into the blade, and this was examined via computations. Overall, this assumption gave reasonable results except near the stagnation line. Experiments were also conducted on a leading edge with no film cooling to gain a better understanding of the additional cooling provided by film cooling. Heat flux was also measured and external and internal heat transfer coefficients were determined. The results showed roughly constant overall effectiveness on the external surface.