Optimization of the Trailing Edge Inclination of Wet Steam Turbine Stator Blade Towards the Losses Reduction

Thermodynamic losses and blade erosion occur due to formation of wetness in the low-pressure steam turbine. By changing the trailing edge angle of turbine blade can reduce blade erosion and condensation losses. This research optimized the best of the trailing edge rotation to improve the turbine's operation at the low-pressure part of the steam turbines (thermodynamic losses and blade erosion) as passive method. In this paper, the integral of the number of droplets per volume (IND), the integral of the droplet average radius (IDR), the integral of wetness fraction (IWF), the integral of local entropy (ILE), and the integral of dynamic pressure (IDP) were considered as goals of optimization. The results introduce an optimal case (theta = - 0.84o counterclockwise) while improved IDR by 0.276%, increased IND by 0.0389%, improved IWF by 0.207%, reduced IDP by 0.054%, and increased ILE by 0.0074%. In addition, this optimization caused the erosion rate to be improved by 2.33% and the condensation losses to be decreased by 0.39%.

Automated summary

By optimizing the trailing edge rotation, the thermodynamic losses and blade erosion caused by wetness in the low-pressure steam turbine can be reduced. The results show that the optimal trailing edge rotation can improve the targeted goals and decrease the erosion rate and condensation losses.