Suppression of Secondary Flows in a Turbine Nozzle With Controlled Stacking Shape and Exit Circulation by 3D Inverse Design Method

Abstract

For the axial turbine stage, the design of circulation rVθ¯ distribution between the nozzle and blade has an important effect on the stage performance, because it determines the work distribution in the blade, the stage reaction and the twisting shape of the blade. This paper describes the new method of full 3D design for axial turbine nozzles and blades by applying the 3D inverse design method in which the blade geometry can be determined by specified distributions of circulation rVθ¯ and blade thickness. In this 3D inverse design method, spanwise work distribution of the turbine stage is controlled by specifying the rVθ¯ distribution of the nozzle exit. In this design procedure, rVθ¯ distribution at the nozzle exit and 3D stacking condition are both controlled by 3D inverse method so as to suppress the nozzle secondary flows effectively. The desirable rVθ¯ distribution and 3D stacking shape which were obtained by the 3D inverse method were confirmed by Dawes’ 3D Navier-Stokes analysis. The results shows that the secondary loss is reduced when the design rVθ¯ at the mid-span is set larger compared to that near the endwall. In addition to the control of the rVθ¯ distribution, 3D stacking shape added only in the front part of the nozzle is very effective to suppress the secondary flows, although this 3D stacking shape is very simple compared to a conventional bowed type stacking. Moreover, when this stacking shape is used, spanwise distribution of work does not change from the design condition unlike the case of conventional bowed type stacking shape. The results of single stage performance test conducted using an air turbine facility show an improvement in efficiency compared to the 2D designed stage and prove viability of the 30 inverse design of axial turbine blades.