Flowfield measurements in the endwall region of a stator vane

A first-stage stator vane experiences high heat transfer rates, particularly near the end-wall, where strong secondary flows occur. In order to improve numerical predictions of the complex endwall flow at low-speed conditions, benchmark quality experimental data are required. This study documents the flowfield in the endwall region of a stator vane that has been scaled up by a factor of nine while matching an engine exit Reynolds number of Re(ex) = 1.2 X 10⁶. Laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) measurements of all three components of the mean and fluctuating velocities are presented for several flow planes normal to the turbine vane. Measurements indicate that downstream of the minimum static pressure location on the suction surface of the vane, an attenuated suction side leg of the horseshoe vortex still exists. At this location, the peak turbulent kinetic energy coincides with the center of the passage vortex location. These flowfield measurements were also related to previously reported convective heat transfer coefficients on the endwall showing that high Stanton numbers occur where the passage vortex brings mainstream fluid toward the vane surface.