LP Turbine Reynolds Lapse Phenomena: Time Averaged Area Traverse and Multistage CFD

The new LP turbine test rig “ATRD” at the Institute of Aircraft Propulsion Systems (ILA) at Stuttgart University has been used to study the detailed effects of Reynolds number variation. The two-stage LP turbine has been developed in a cooperation of ILA and MTU Aero Engines GmbH. Changes in the turbine characteristics are discussed. Five hole probe area traverse data has been acquired at exit from each row of aerofoils across a broad range of Reynolds numbers, over 88,000 down to 35,000. The experimental data is supported by multi-row steady CFD predictions. The behaviour of wakes, loss cores and secondary deviations is identified across the Reynolds number range. The present study is focusing on the effects of Reynolds number variation on the vane of the second stage.