Wakes and secondary structures past stator wheel in test turbine VT-400 observed by PIV

Abstract

Flow inside the axial test turbine VT-400 is measured by using a standard methodology of Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The studied area lies between the stator and rotor wheel in meridional plane. This area covers both: the regular flow near hub and the endwall secondary structures as well. Regular structure of wakes and jets past stator blades is observed in terms of mean velocities and turbulence intensity. The fluctuations are close to isotropy and the energy distribution across length-scales exhibits almost Kolmogorov scaling. Near the hub, we observe secondary vortices. Despite the positive radial ejections in that regions, these secondary vortices drift towards the hub, they dissipate energy and circulation and their core grows in size.