Detailed experimental investigation has been conducted to provide a detailed insight into the heat transfer and aerodynamic behavior of a separation zone that is generated as a result of boundary layer development along the suction surface of a highly loaded low pressure turbine (LPT) blade. The research experimentally investigates the individual and combined effects of periodic unsteady wake flows and freestream turbulence intensity (Tu) on heat transfer and aerodynamic behavior of the separation zone. Heat transfer experiments were carried out at Reynolds number of 110,000, 150,000, and 250,00 based on the suction surface length and the cascade exit velocity. Aerodynamic experiments were performed at Re = 110,000 and 150,000. For the above Re-numbers, the experimental matrix includes Tus of 1.9%, 3.0%, 8.0%,13.0% and three different unsteady wake frequencies with the steady inlet flow as the reference configuration. Detailed heat transfer and boundary layer measurements are performed with particular attention paid to the heat transfer and aerodynamic behavior of the separation zone at different Tus at steady and periodic unsteady flow conditions. The objectives of the research are (a) to quantify the effect of Tu on the aero-thermal behavior of the separation bubble at steady inlet flow condition, (b) to investigate the combined effects of Tu and the unsteady wake flow on the aero-thermal behavior of the separation bubble, and (c) to provide a complete set of heat transfer and aerodynamic data for numerical simulation that incorporates Navier-Stokes and energy equations. The analysis of the experimental data reveals details of boundary layer separation dynamics which is essential for understanding the physics of the separation phenomenon under periodic unsteady wake flow and different Reynolds number and Tu. To provide a complete picture of the transition process and separation dynamics, extensive intermittency analysis was conducted. Ensemble averaged maximum and minimum intermittency functions were determined leading to the relative intermittency function. In addition, the detailed intermittency analysis reveals that the relative intermittency factor follows a Gaussian distribution confirming the universal character of the relative intermittency function.

The turbine blade platform can be protected from hot mainstream gases by injecting cooler air through the gap between stator and rotor. The effectiveness of this film cooling method depends on the geometry of the slot, the quantity of injected air, and the secondary flows near the platform. The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of the upstream vane or stator on this type of platform cooling, as well as the effect of changes in the width of the gap. Film cooling effectiveness distributions were obtained on a turbine blade platform within a linear cascade with upstream slot injection. The width of the slot was varied as well as the mass flow rate of the injected coolant. Obstacles were placed upstream to model the effect of the upstream vane. The coolant was injected through an advanced labyrinth seal to simulate purge flow through a stator-rotor seal. The width of the opening of this seal was varied to simulate the effect of misalignment. Stationary rods were placed upstream of the cascade in four phase locations to model the unsteady wake formed at the trailing edge of the upstream vane. Delta wings were also placed in four positions to create a vortex similar to the passage vortex at the exit of the vane. The film cooling effectiveness distributions were measured using pressure-sensitive paint (PSP). Reducing the width of the slot was found to decrease the area of coolant coverage, although the film cooling effectiveness close to the slot was slightly increased. The unsteady wake was found to have a trivial effect on platform cooling, while the passage vortex from the upstream vane may significantly reduce the film cooling effectiveness.