Distribution of film-cooling effectiveness on a turbine endwall measured using the ammonia and diazo technique

The distribution of adiabatic film-cooling effectiveness on the endwall of a large-scale low-speed linear turbine cascade has been measured using a new technique. This technique is based on an established surface-flow visualization technique, and makes use of the reaction between ammonia gas and a diazo surface coating. A new method of calibration has been developed to relate the result of the reaction to surface concentration of coolant. Using the analogy that exists between heat and mass transfer, the distribution of film-cooling effectiveness can then be determined. The complete representation of the film-cooling effectiveness distribution provided by the technique reveals the interaction between the coolant ejected from the endwall and the secondary pow in the turbine blade passage. Over- and undercooled regions on the endwall are identified, illustrating the need to take these interactions into account in the design process. Modifications to the cooling configuration examined in this paper are proposed as a result of the application of the ammonia and diazo technique.