Validation Test Results in Arc-Heated Facilities - Part A: Passive Cooling Concepts

Abstract

This document describes the results that were obtained during experimental thermal verification of the two passive cooling concepts 1a and 1b in the frame of the EU FP7 Project THOR. Together with the tests on a reference configuration related to concept 0, these tests were carried out on ceramic leading edge models within several campaigns in DLR’s arc-heated facility L3K. The experimental setup for the thermal verification tests had been described before in THOR report D6.2. The results of preparatory tests on a flat plate configuration are illustrated and discussed first. Afterwards the main results from the thermal tests on the leading edge configurations are presented. In particular, measurements in the vicinity of the leading edge are described for the individual test campaigns. The complete set of results is further discussed and evaluated with regard to the particular objectives of THOR, concluding with an assessment of the thermal performance of two concepts 1a and 1b.