Numerical study of the heterogeneous condensation effect on the steam turbine performance

Abstract

The investigation of the loss and efficiency of steam turbine holds immense significance in improving the production of electric energy as a pivotal power conversion device in the electric power industry. However, during the expansion of steam in the steam turbine, the existence of heterogeneous particles leads to the heterogeneous condensation, resulting in a significant reduction in the turbine efficiency and safety of its operation. This study investigates the impact of heterogeneous condensation flow on the performance of steam turbines. First, a condensation model is developed, and numerical calculations are performed using the Bakhtar stator blade cascade. The validity of the proposed model is verified by comparing its results with existing experimental data. Then, the adiabatic flow (non-condensing), the homogeneous condensation flow, and the heterogeneous condensation flow on solid particles with a radius of 10-8[m] and particle concentration of 1015 and 1016[1/kg] are employed to investigate the effect of each flow type on steam turbine performance, and the loss, power, and efficiency in the turbine are detailedly and quantitatively calculated. The results show that in the presence of heterogeneous particles, increasing particle concentration appropriately can effectively reduce the loss caused by condensation and improve thermal efficiency.