Numerical predictions of roughness effects on the performance degradation of an axial-turbine stage

Abstract

This paper describes a numerical investigation on the performance deteriorations of a low speed, single-stage axial turbine due to use of rough blades. Numerical calculations have been carried out with a commercial CFD code, CFX-Tascflow, by using a modified wall function to implement rough surfaces on the stator vane and rotor blade. To assess the stage performance variations corresponding to 5 equivalent sand-grain roughness heights from a transitionally rough regime to a fully rough regime, stage work coefficient and total to static efficiency were chosen. Numerical results showed that both work coefficient and stage efficiency reduced as roughness height increased. Higher surface roughness induced higher blade loading both on the stator and rotor which in turn resulted in higher deviation angles and corresponding work coefficient reductions. Although, deviation angle changes were small, a simple sensitivity analysis suggested that their contributions on work coefficient reductions were substantial. Higher profile loss coefficients were predicted by higher roughness heights, especially on the suction surface of the stator and rotor. Furthermore sensitivity analysis similar to the above, suggested that additional profile loss generations due to roughness were accountable for efficiency reductions.