Direct Measurements of Overall Effectiveness and Heat Flux on a Film Cooled Test Article at High Temperatures and Pressures

The energy requirements associated with recovering greenhouse gases from Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) or Natural Gas Combined Cycle (NGCC) power plants are significant. The subsequent reductions in overall plant efficiency also result in a higher cost of electricity. In order to meet the future demand for cleaner energy production, this research is focused on improving gas turbine efficiency through advancements in gas turbine cooling capabilities.For this study, an experimental approach was developed to quantify overall effectiveness and net heat flux reduction for a film-cooled test article at high temperature and pressure conditions. A major part of this study focused on validating an advanced optical thermography technique capable of distinguishing between emitted and reflected radiation from film-cooled test articles exposed to exhaust gases in excess of 1000°C and 5 bar. The optical thermography method was used to acquire temperature maps of both external and internal wall temperatures on a test article with fan-shaped film cooling holes. The overall effectiveness and heat flux were quantified with one experiment. The optical temperature measurement technique was capable of measuring wall temperatures to within ±7.2°C. Uncertainty estimates showed that the methods developed for this study were capable of quantifying improvements in overall effectiveness necessary to meet DOE program goals. Results showed that overall effectiveness increased with an increase in blowing ratio and a decrease in mainstream gas pressure while heat flux contours indicated consistent trends.© 2013 ASME