Smoke Study of Nozzle Secondary Flows in a Low-speed Turbine

Still and motion pictures were made of boundary-layer and wake secondary-flow phenomena visualized by smoke. Two annular cascades of turbine nozzles were used, both designed for constant discharge angle but differing in blade shape and suction-surface velocity distribution. Flows were similar to those obtained with pressure and angle measurements at near-sonic airspeeds. Boundary-layer cross-channel and trailing-edge radial flows caused vortices and an accumulation of low-momentum air at the hub, which may affect flow in following blade rows. Motion of a downstream rotor blade row produced pulsations in trailing-edge radial flow. The motion-picture supplement may be obtained on loan from NACA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.