Complete flow conditioning gauzes

Abstract

This paper presents a novel method that can completely condition the flow into a turbomachinery experiment. A single, thick, 3D-printed gauze can be tailored to provide an exact stagnation pressure profile, flow angle distribution and turbulence intensity. The new method is superior to existing techniques as it provides accurate and cheap flow conditioning in just one component. It removes the requirement for separate endwall boundary layer generators, inlet guide vanes and turbulence grids.