Application of planar imaging velocimetry in combustion test facilities and transonic compressors

Abstract

While the development and application of planar velocimetry methods is finding an increased range of applications throughout the engineering field involving fluid mechanics, the successful application of these advanced methods remains a challenge in many of the frequently termed "real-world applications." The validation of numerical tools used in the design processes of turbomachinery components in particular requires highly spatially (and ideally temporally) resolved data from environments that are representative of full scale facilities (e.g. combination of high pressure, velocity and temperature with and without reaction). The successful implementation of modern imaging diagnostics in combustion test facilities as well as transonic compressor and turbine rigs requires adequate handling of a wide variety of problems, ranging from optical access, choice of proper seeding materials, image acqusition strategy, post-processing, etc. The presentation highlights several challenging applications of particle image velocimetry (PIV), Doppler global velocimetry (DGV), combined DGV-PIV, as well as OH-chemiluminescence in large combustor facilities and highly loaded compressors. Emphasis is placed on the experimental aspects of the applications rather than the interpretation of the acquired flow field data because many of the encountered problems and chosen solution strategies are unique to this area of velocimetry application.