Development and Commissioning of a Linear Compressor Cascade Rig for Ice Crystal Research

This paper describes the commissioning of a linear compressor cascade rig for ice crystal research. The rig is located in an altitude chamber so the test section stagnation pressure, temperature and Mach number can be varied independently. The facility is open-circuit which eliminates the possibility of recirculating ice crystals reentering the test section and modifying the median mass diameter and total water content in time. As this is an innovative facility, the operating procedures and instrumentation used are discussed. Sample flow quality data are presented showing the distribution of velocity, temperature, turbulence intensity and ice water concentration in the test section. The control and repeatability of experimental parameters is also discussed.

Although the rig was designed to investigate the ice crystal phenomenon in an environment representative of a compressor stator row, the test section can be reconfigured to assess the performance of aircraft air data sensors as well.