Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 April 2014
Showerhead cooling process which consists of internal convective cooling and externalfilm cooling of a turbine blade is investigated using ANSYS-CFX software. The aim of thepresent investigation is to provide a better understanding of the fundamental nature ofshowerhead cooling using the three dimensional Reynolds averaged Navier Stokes analysis. Anumerical model has been developed to study the effects of coupled internal and externalcooling of the leading edge for a semi-elliptical body shape with the SST k-ω model. This modelconsists of all internal flow passages and cooling hole rows at the leading edge. Thenumerical results obtained are discussed and compared with experimental data available inthe literature. The results show that the cooling efficiency increases with the increaseof the blowing ratio and the Mach number, therefore, the overall efficiency for the steelbecomes less important compared to the plexiglas which has a low thermal conductivity.