Aerodynamic and heat transfer characterization of a nozzle vane cascade with and without platform cooling

In the present paper, aerodynamic and thermal performance of a linear nozzle vane cascade is fully assessed. Tests have been carried out with and without platform cooling, with coolant ejected through a slot located upstream of the leading edge. Cooling air is also ejected through a row of cylindrical holes located upstream of the slot, simulating a combustor cooling system. The cascade was tested at a high inlet turbulence intensity level (Tu1 = 9%) and at variable cooling injection conditions. Aero-thermal characterization of vane platform was obtained through 5-hole probe measurements, oil & dye surface flow visualizations, measurements of end wall adiabatic film cooling effectiveness and heat transfer coefficient. The platform cooling scheme operated at nominal injection rate was shown to effectively reduce the heat load over most of the platform surface, with only a small increase in secondary flows loss. Combustor holes injection resulted beneficial in controlling momentum of coolant approaching the cascade, thus limiting the secondary flows growth and resulting in an increase of the coolant film length inside of the passage.