W-6A Facility Description
This facility was reactivated and became operational in mid-1994. With its enhanced capabilities, this turbine rig is being used to assess advanced turbine design features and improve the fundamental understanding of the dominant flow phenomena in multistage, high pressure (HP) axial turbines. W-6A receives 55-psia air, which is heated by natural-gas fired combustors, drives the research turbine and exits through a torus into the altitude exhaust system. Electrically heated secondary air provides simulated coolant bleeds at desired temperature ratios, including provisions for supply flows that control shroud growth and rotor clearances. Data from detailed flow-field measurements, unsteady effects, and interaction effects provide better understanding of the flow physics through a multistage turbine and provide a data base to use in CFD code validation.

W-6A Special Features
The turbine shaft output power is absorbed with a direct-drive eddy current dynamometer, which also controls the speed. The shaft is bored in order to provide the capability for rotating measurements using a 100-channel slip ring. The dynamometer is rated at 3,000 hp at 5,000 to 17,000 rpm. The data acquisition and display system consists of 512 analog and 576 pressure measurements using ESCORT D and an ESP system. Slip ring measurements include thermocouple, pressure transducers, or strain gage signals. Torque output is measured using an in-line torque meter.