Performance Prediction and Optimization of Low Pressure Steam Turbine Radial Diffuser at Design and Off-Design Conditions Using Streamline Curvature Method

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luying Zhang ◽  
Francesco Congiu ◽  
Xiaopeng Gan ◽  
David Karunakara
Keyword(s):  
Steam Turbine ◽  
Flow Separation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Current Method ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Numerical Approach ◽  
Optimization Process ◽  
Exhaust Hood ◽  
Streamline Curvature ◽  
Wide Range

The performance of the radial diffuser of a low pressure (LP) steam turbine is important to the power output of the turbine. A reliable and robust prediction and optimization tool is desirable in industry for preliminary design and performance evaluation. This is particularly critical during the tendering phase of retrofit projects, which typically cover a wide range of original equipment manufacturer and other original equipment manufacturers designs. This work describes a fast and reliable numerical approach for the simulation of flow in the last stage and radial diffuser coupled with the exhaust hood. The numerical solver is based on a streamline curvature throughflow method and a geometry-modification treatment has been developed for off-design conditions, at which large-scale flow separation may occur in the diffuser domain causing convergence difficulty. To take into account the effect of tip leakage jet flow, a boundary layer solver is coupled with the throughflow calculation to predict flow separation on the diffuser lip. The performance of the downstream exhaust hood is modeled by a hood loss model (HLM) that accounts for various loss generations along the flow paths. Furthermore, the solver is implemented in an optimization process. Both the diffuser lip and hub profiles can be quickly optimized, together or separately, to improve the design in the early tender phase. 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are used to validate the solver and the optimization process. The results show that the current method predicts the diffuser/exhaust hood performance within good agreement with the CFD calculation and the optimized diffuser profile improves the diffuser recovery over the datum design. The tool provides General Electric the capability to rapidly optimize and customize retrofit diffusers for each customer considering different constraints.

Performance Prediction and Optimisation of LP Steam Turbine Radial Diffuser at Design and Off-Design Conditions Using Streamline Curvature Method

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luying Zhang ◽  
Francesco Congiu ◽  
Xiaopeng Gan ◽  
David Karunakara
Keyword(s):  
Steam Turbine ◽  
Flow Separation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Current Method ◽  
Numerical Approach ◽  
Optimization Process ◽  
Exhaust Hood ◽  
Streamline Curvature ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Numerical Solver

The performance of the radial diffuser of a low pressure (LP) steam turbine is important to the power output of the turbine. A reliable and robust prediction and optimization tool is desirable in industry for preliminary design and performance evaluation. This is particularly critical during the tendering phase of retrofit projects which typically cover a wide range of OEM and oOEMs designs. This work describes a fast and reliable numerical approach for the simulation of flow in the last stage and radial diffuser coupled with the exhaust hood. The numerical solver is based on a streamline curvature throughflow method and a geometry-modification treatment has been developed for off-design conditions, at which large scale flow separation may occur in the diffuser domain causing convergence difficulty. To take into account the effect of tip leakage jet flow, a boundary layer solver is coupled with the throughflow calculation to predict flow separation on the diffuser lip. The performance of the downstream exhaust hood is modeled by a hood loss model (HLM) that accounts for various loss generations along the flow paths. Furthermore, the solver is implemented in an optimization process. Both the diffuser lip and hub profiles can be quickly optimized, together or separately, to improve the design in the early tender phase. 3D CFD simulations are used to validate the solver and the optimization process. The results show that the current method predicts the diffuser/exhaust hood performance within good agreement with the CFD calculation and the optimized diffuser profile improves the diffuser recovery over the datum design. The tool provides GE the capability to rapidly optimize and customize retrofit diffusers for each customer considering different constraints.

Design Philosophy and Methodology of a Low Pressure Exhaust Hood for a Large Power Steam Turbine

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shunsuke Mizumi ◽  
Kouji Ishibashi
Keyword(s):  
Steam Turbine ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
Steam Turbines ◽  
Exhaust Hood ◽  
Efficient Design ◽  
Large Power

The efficiency of a steam turbine is significantly influenced by pressure recovery performance of its low-pressure exhaust hood; hence it is important to specify the cause of loss generation and to devise improved structures. The performance of the exhaust hood is greatly influenced by many structural factors such as the size of its outer casing, design of the diffuser parts and arrangement of internal supports. Ideally, it would be preferable to take all those influential factors into consideration in designing an exhaust hood. However, it is neither cost-effective nor practicable to take everything into consideration at the same time, while it is mandatory to obtain a better shape in performance within reasonable time. For this reason, it is necessary to reach a compromise to some extent between the ideal and the realistic design methods. In the present study, we propose the efficient design method of the downstream type low-pressure exhaust hood for large-scale steam turbines, utilizing the performance charts based on the extensive CFD parameter surveys.

Detailed Numerical Study of the Main Sources of Loss and Flow Behavior in Low Pressure Steam Turbine Exhaust Hoods

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dickson Munyoki ◽  
Markus Schatz ◽  
Damian M. Vogt
Keyword(s):  
Steam Turbine ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Pressure Recovery ◽  
Exhaust Hood ◽  
Recovery Coefficient ◽  
Pressure Steam ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

The performance of the axial-radial diffuser downstream of the last low-pressure steam turbine stages and the losses occurring subsequently within the exhaust hood directly influences the overall efficiency of a steam power plant. It is estimated that an improvement of the pressure recovery in the diffuser and exhaust hood by 10% translates into 1% of last stage efficiency [11]. While the design of axial-radial diffusers has been the object of quite many studies, the flow phenomena occurring within the exhaust hood have not received much attention in recent years. However, major losses occur due to dissipation within vortices and inability of the hood to properly diffuse the flow. Flow turning from radial to downward flow towards the condenser, especially at the upper part of the hood is essentially the main cause for this. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the losses within the exhaust hood flow for two operating conditions based on numerical results. In order to identify the underlying mechanisms and the locations where dissipation mainly occurs, an approach was followed, whereby the diffuser inflow is divided into different sectors and pressure recovery, dissipation and finally residual kinetic energy of the flow originating from these sectors is calculated at different locations within the hood. Based on this method, the flow from the topmost sectors at the diffuser inlet is found to cause the highest dissipation for both investigated cases. Upon hitting the exhaust hood walls, the flow on the upper part of the diffuser is deflected, forming complex vortices which are stretching into the condenser and interacting with flow originating from other sectors, thereby causing further swirling and generating additional losses. The detailed study of the flow behavior in the exhaust hood and the associated dissipation presents an opportunity for future investigations of efficient geometrical features to be introduced within the hood to improve the flow and hence the overall pressure recovery coefficient.

The Pressure Field at the Output From a Low Pressure Exhaust Hood and Condenser Neck of the 1090 MW Steam Turbine: Experimental and Numerical Research

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Hoznedl ◽  
Antonín Živný ◽  
Aleš Macálka ◽  
Robert Kalista ◽  
Kamil Sedlák ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Condition ◽  
Steam Turbine ◽  
Cross Section ◽  
Static Pressure ◽  
Cooling Water ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Angle Distribution ◽  
Exhaust Hood ◽  
Last Stage

The paper presents the results of measurements of flow parameters behind the last stage of a 1090 MW nominal power steam turbine in a nuclear power plant. The results were obtained by traversing a pneumatic probe at a distance of about 100 mm from the trailing edges of the LSB (Last Stage Blade). Furthermore, both side walls as well as the front wall of one flow of the LP (Low Pressure) exhaust hood were fitted with a dense net of static pressure taps at the level of the flange of the turbine. A total of 26 static pressures were measured on the wall at the output from the LP exhaust hood. Another 14 pressures were measured at the output from the condenser neck. The distribution of static pressures in both cross sections for full power and 600 and 800 MW power is shown. Another experiment was measured pressure and angle distribution using a ball pneumatic probe in the condenser neck area in a total of four holes at a distance up to 5 metres from the neck wall. The turbine condenser is two-flow design. In one direction perpendicular to the axis of the turbine cold cooling water comes, it heats partially. It then reverses and it heats to the maximum temperature again. The different temperature of cooling water in the different parts of the output cross section should influence the distribution of the output static pressure. Differences in pressures may cause problems with uneven load of the tube bundles of the condenser as well as problems with defining the influential edge output condition in CFD simulations of the flow of the cold end of the steam turbine Due to these reasons an extensive 3D CFD computation, which includes one stator blade as well as all moving blades of the last stage, a complete diffuser, the exhaust hood and the condenser neck, has been carried out. Geometry includes all reinforcing elements, pipes and heaters which could influence the flow behaviour in the exhaust hood and its pressure loss. Inlet boundary conditions were assumed for the case of both computations from the measurement of the flow field behind the penultimate stage. The outlet boundary condition was defined in the first case by an uneven value of the static pressure determined by the change of the temperature of cooling water. In the second case the boundary condition in accordance with the measurement was defined by a constant value of the static pressure along all the cross section of the output from the condenser neck. Results of both CFD computations are compared with experimental measurement by the distribution of pressures and other parameters behind the last stage.

E222 Development of Exhaust Hood for Axial Low Pressure Steam Turbine

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012.17 (0) ◽  
pp. 409-410
Author(s):  
Taro NOGUCHI ◽  
Hiroshi SAEKI ◽  
Tatsuro UCHIDA ◽  
Yasunori IWAI ◽  
Naoki SHIBUKAWA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Steam Turbine ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Exhaust Hood ◽  
Pressure Steam

Numerical Investigation of Exhaust Diffuser Performances in Low Pressure Turbine Casings

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tadashi Tanuma ◽  
Yasuhiro Sasao ◽  
Satoru Yamamoto ◽  
Shinji Takada ◽  
Yoshiki Niizeki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Steam Turbine ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Boundary Layer Separation ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Tvd Scheme ◽  
Steam Turbines ◽  
Exhaust Hood

Low pressure (LP) exhaust hoods are an important component of steam turbines. The aerodynamic loss of LP exhaust hoods is almost the same as those of the stator and rotor blading in LP steam turbines. Designing high performance LP exhaust hoods should lead further enhancement of steam turbine efficiency. This paper presents the results of exhaust hood computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses using last stage exit velocity distributions measured in a full-scale development steam turbine as the inlet boundary condition to improve the accuracy of the CFD analysis. One of the main difficulties in predicting the aerodynamic performance of the exhaust hoods is the unsteady boundary layer separation of exhaust hood diffusers. A highly accurate unsteady numerical analysis is introduced in order to simulate the diffuser flows in LP exhaust hoods. Compressible Navier-Stokes equations and mathematical models for nonequilibrium condensation are solved using the high-order high-resolution finite-difference method based on the fourth-order compact MUSCL TVD scheme, Roe’s approximate Riemann solver, and the LU-SGS scheme. The SST turbulence model is also solved for evaluating the eddy viscosity. The computational results were validated using the measurement data, and the present CFD method was proven to be suitable as a useful tool for determining optimum three-dimensional designs of LP turbine exhaust diffusers.

Development of LP Blade Module for High Back Pressure-Aerodynamic Design

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ambrish ◽  
Nand Kumar Singh
Keyword(s):  
Steam Turbine ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Volume Flow Rate ◽  
Back Pressure ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Total Efficiency ◽  
Aerodynamic Design ◽  
Streamline Curvature ◽  
Pressure Application ◽  
Wide Range

In steam turbine power plants, the appropriate design of the last stage blades is critical in determining the plant efficiency and reliability. The development of LP module for desert applications is finding applications for a number of industrial steam turbine operating with air cooled condensers. The conventional LP Module for water cooled condenser operates at low back pressure (Pexit = 0.09 bar) and are generally not suitable for high back pressure application. This paper focuses on the aerodynamic design & optimization of last stages of LP blade module for high back pressure application and validation through 3D CFD. The guide and moving blade are designed with seven equally-spaced profiles section from hub to shroud through Axstream S/w. The profile and incidence losses are minimized for the design and off-design conditions. Aeromechanical design of LP blade module consisting of 2 stages for 0.2 bar back pressure, 1.1 bar inlet static pressure and a mass flow of 61.2 kg/s is carried out. An optimization process through a streamline curvature code and design optimization software using Optimus is established and flow path contours is optimized thoroughly, a total to total efficiency of 81.4% is achieved for the rated condition. The off-design performance is investigated for a wide range of operating conditions, especially at low volume flow rate of steam condition.

scholarly journals Investigation on low-pressure steam turbine exhaust hood modelling through computational fluid dynamic simulations

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tommaso Fondelli ◽  
Tommaso Diurno ◽  
Lorenzo Palanti ◽  
Antonio Andreini ◽  
Bruno Facchini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Steam Turbine ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Exhaust Hood ◽  
Dynamic Simulations ◽  
Pressure Steam ◽  
Turbine Exhaust
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