The subsonic linear cascade rig at Chalmers has been designed as part of a long term research project aimed at studies of both basic and applied problems in the turbo machine area. The rig was constructed in 2004 and has been used to validate numerical methods to compute flow fields (CFD), and to improve on our knowledge of the flow fields around the outlet guide vanes in jet engines. The focus in the research is on improved efficiency in gas turbines which will lead to reduced fuel consumption and reduced exhaust of greenhouse gases.

The cross-section of the test section is 1200×200 mm² and the maximum inlet wind speed is 20 m/s. Thereby it is possible to carry out experiments at realistic Reynolds numbers. Different types of guide vanes can be installed and the side walls can be made both curved and transparent. The transparency makes the use of optical measurement methods possible.

The angle of the inlet air flow in relation to the vanes being investigated can be continuously varied from 0 to 52 degrees, which makes it possible to study a variety of design and drift conditions. Since the rig is designed to validate computational methods it is essential that the inlet conditions can be varied and are well defined.

It is possible to introduce turbulence generating grids upstream of the test section, whereby the turbulence level in the approaching air stream can be varied. The rig is also equipped with an advanced suction system to control the growth of the boundary layers on the side walls. The rig is also equipped with traverse units, both upstream and downstream of the vanes, to make extensive mappings of the flow field possible. The main instrumentation used is pressure sensors (multiple) and hot-wires.