A Method for the Determination of Turbulence Intensity by Means of a Fast Response Pressure Probe and its Application in a LP Turbine

This paper describes the measurements and the post-processing procedure adopted for the determination of the turbulence intensity in a low pressure turbine (LPT) by means of a single sensor fast response aerodynamic pressure probe. The rig was designed in cooperation with MTU Aero Engines and considerable efforts were put into the adjustment of all relevant model parameters. Blade count ratio, airfoil aspect ratio, reduced massflow, reduced speed, inlet turbulence intensity and Reynolds numbers were chosen to reproduce the full scale LP turbine. Measurements were performed adopting a phase-locked acquisition technique in order to provide the time resolved flow field downstream of the turbine rotor. The total pressure random fluctuations are obtained by selectively filtering, in the frequency domain, the deterministic unsteadiness due to the rotor blades and coherent structures. The turbulence intensity is derived from the inverse Fourier transform and the correlations between total pressure and velocity fluctuations. The determination of the turbulence intensity allows the discussion of the interaction processes between the stator and rotor for engine-representative operating conditions of the turbine.

Influence of Working Pressure on Ion Sensitive Probe Measurement in Microwave ECR Plasmas

In order to precisely measure the ion parameters in a microwave electron cyclotron resonance plasma using an ion sensitive probe,the dependences of the current-voltage（I-V）characteristics on the shielding height（h）and the potential difference between inner and outer electrodes（V_B）have been investigated at different working pressures of 0.03 Pa and 0.8 Pa.Results show that the I-V curves at higher pressure are more sensitive to the variation of h than those at lower pressure.The influence of V_B on ion temperature（T_i）measurement becomes more prominent when the pressure is increased from 0.03 Pa to 0.8 Pa.Under both pressures,the optimized h is obtained at the condition where the current reaches zero in the positive voltage region with a suitable V_B of-1.5 V because of effective shielding of the electron E×B drift.

Comparison of Three Methods for Determination of Root Hydraulic Conductivity of Maize(Zea mays L.)Root System

Three techniques of root pressure probe, pressure chamber and high pressure flow meter were used to measure the hydraulic conductivities （Lpr） of whole root systems of young maize （Zea mays L.） seedlings grown hydroponically under either drought or normal water conditions. Compared to normal water conditions, drought stress simulated by polyethylene glycol 6 000 （osmotic potential =-0.2 MPa） reduced Lpr in the root system by over 50%. It indicated that water permeability in the roots decreased significantly when plants suffered from water shortages. Moreover, there was no significant difference （P〈 0.05） on the Lpr values in the root systems developed under a given water stress regime among the three techniques used. Therefore, all three methods are acceptable to study the hydraulic conductivity of maize seedling root systems. We have also highlighted some of the technical limitations of each method. It can be inferred that the root pressure probe is preferable for young maize seedlings because it is subtle and has the additional ability to determine solute transport properties, but the method is time consuming. Other advantages and disadvantages of each technique are discussed in order to acquaint researchers with basic information that could contribute to their choice of an appropriate technique for future studies.

Effects of Probe Support on the Flow Field of a Low-Speed Axial Compressor

This paper presents an investigation on the effect of probe support on the flow field of an axial compressor.The experiment is carried out in a large-scale low-speed research compressor.A cylindrical probe support intruding to 50% blade span was installed at 50% chord upstream from the rotor leading edge.The region from 5° to 32° off the probe support in the direction of rotation at the rotor outlet was measured with a 5-hole probe and a high-response total pressure probe.The experiment is performed at both near-design and near-stall points.The measuring results of 5-hole probe and high-response total pressure probe indicate that the probe blockage effect is different at different blade spans.The wake of the probe support weakens the leakage vortex intensity at the tip region,leading to greater total pressure rise.At near-design condition,the presence of probe support has a negative effect on the region from 75% to 92% span,while improves the flow field below 75% span.At near stall condition,the probe support has a negative effect on the region from 70% to 90% span,and almost has no influence on the flow field below 70% span.