The following study presents an experimental and computational investigation on the effects of implementing a dual cavity slashface configuration and varying slashface coolant leakage mass flow rate on the thermal performance for a 1st stage nozzle guide vane axisymmetric converging endwall. An upstream doublet staggered cylindrical hole jet cooling scheme provides additional purged coolant with consistent conditions throughout the investigation. The effects are measured in engine representative transonic mainstream and coolant flow conditions where Mexit = 0.85, Reexit = 1.5 × 106, freestream turbulence intensity of 16%, and a coolant density ratio of 1.95.

Four combinations of slashface Fwd and Aft cavity mass flow rate are experimentally analyzed by comparing key convective heat transfer parameters. Data is collected and reduced using a combination of IR thermography and a linear regression technique to map endwall heat transfer performance throughout the passage. A flow visualization study is employed using 100 cSt oil-based paint to gather qualitative insights into the endwall flow field. A complimentary CFD study is carried out to gather additional understanding of the endwall flow ingestion and egression behavior as well as comparing performance against a conventional cavity configuration.

Experimental comparisons indicate slashface mass flow rate variations have a minor effect on passage film cooling coverage. Instead, coolant coverage across the passage is primarily driven by upstream purge coolant. However, endwall heat transfer coefficient is reduced as much as 20% in mid-passage areas as leakage flow decreases. This suggests that changes in leakage flow maintains a first order correlation in altering passage aerodynamics that, despite relatively consistent film cooling coverage, also leads to significant changes in net heat flux reduction in the passage.

Endwall flow behavior proves to be complex along the gap interface showing signs of ingestion, egression, and tangential flow varying spatially throughout the gap. CFD comparisons suggests that a dual cavity configuration varies the gap static pressure distribution closer to the mainstream pressure throughout the passage in high speed applications compared to a single cavity configuration. The resulting decelerating flow creates a more stable endwall flow profile and favorable coolant environment by reducing boundary layer thinning and shear interaction in near gap endwall tangential flow.