The Characteristics of Rotating Instabilities in Low Pressure Steam Turbines at Low Volume Flow Operation

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roland Sigg ◽  
Timothy Rice
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Steam Turbines ◽  
Original Design ◽  
Low Load

For flexible operation steam turbines may operate occasionally at low load. Operation away from the original design regime looks set to be an increasing trend mainly due to the presence of intermittently available renewable energy sources in the grid. This paper sets out an approach for considering low flow effects on turbine designs. At low load operating conditions rotating instabilities (RIS) can occur in the rear stages of LP steam turbines. The instabilities are comparable in many ways to rotating stall in compressors. Ideally the turbine blade natural frequencies should be designed to avoid the frequencies generated by the RIS system. The characteristics of RIS systems were experimentally investigated to understand the dependency with both flow coefficient and exhaust configuration. Correlations have been developed to characterize the dynamic pressure amplitudes and the fractional speed of the RIS moving around the wheel. The presented correlation based method is shown calibrated for a specific blade design. Two different test rigs provide the basis for the work presented. A low pressure model steam turbine provided detailed information for key blade/exhaust combinations. A simplified small scale air turbine was used to provide additional input for the behavior with alternative exhaust back wall position. Observations of the characteristic RIS behavior from model turbine tests are set in context with observed changes in the flow field.

Alleviation of Rotating Pressure Oscillations in the Last LP Turbine Stage During Low-Load Conditions

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. R. Haller ◽  
T. S. Rice ◽  
R. Sigg
Keyword(s):  
Design Space ◽  
Outer Boundary ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Steam Turbines ◽  
Low Load ◽  
Last Stage ◽  
Lp Turbine

In Steam Turbines, under low flow conditions, the flow structure on the long last stage blades is complex. The rotor blades create outward radial flow. Recirculations are setup near the tip in the gap between the fixed and moving blades, and near the hub downstream of the moving blade. The blade carries negative loading and encounters gross flow separations. In this environment, fluctuations in pressure are detected rotating at about half of the rotor speed. Some similarities exist with rotating stall, as found in compressors. In the validation of a new blade design, checks are therefore included to ensure that the rotating excitation does not pass over a natural frequency of the blading. In turn, this can reduce the available design space. A less restrictive approach is to consider alleviation techniques. A promising candidate is a scheme where steam jets are directed into the flow, onto the LSB, from the outer boundary. Jets have been introduced and tested on a 1/3rd scale multistage steam turbine. The test turbine is both aerodynamically and mechanically representative of a full size machine. The blowing scheme was shown to reduce and then practically eliminate the rotating pressure pattern. 3D CFD computations reveal the major influence of the jets. The solution is elegant because it does not lead to loss of efficiency or design space.

Numerical investigation on flow instabilities in low-pressure steam turbine last stage under different low-load conditions

2021 ◽  
pp. 095765092199719
Author(s):  
Ping Hu ◽  
Tong Lin ◽  
Rui Yang ◽  
Xiaocheng Zhu ◽  
Zhaohui Du
Keyword(s):  
Low Pressure ◽  
Complex Model ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Flow Instabilities ◽  
Steam Turbines ◽  
Specific Flow ◽  
Low Load ◽  
Last Stage ◽  
Sas Model ◽  
Load Conditions

The modern power generation system requires steam turbines operating at flexible operating points, and flow instabilities readily occur in the low-pressure (LP) last stage under low-load conditions, which may cause failure of the last stage moving blades. Some studies have shown that within this operating range, a shift of the operating point may lead to flow instabilities. Numerical simulation has gradually developed into a popular method for such researches, but it is expensive for a complex model, which has to be balanced between efficiency and accuracy. This work is divided into three parts: Firstly, one of the low-load conditions is selected to provide both URANS model and the Scale-Adaptive Simulation (SAS) model. The results of the two models are compared to evaluate specific flow phenomena; Secondly, through calculations of different low-load conditions, the flow structure and propagation characteristics of instabilities in the last stage are obtained; Finally, flow analysis is applied to explain the formation mechanism of flow instabilities in LP steam turbines. The results show that, the introduction of SAS model increases the randomness of flow over time, but does not fundamentally change the flow instabilities. Flow instabilities take different forms at different flow rate, from rotating instability to rotating stall. The formation of flow instabilities is related to the radial flow in the cascade passages.

Experimental Investigation and Characterization of the Rotating Stall in a High Pressure Centrifugal Compressor: Part II — Influence of Diffuser Geometry on Stage Performance

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Ferrara ◽  
L. Ferrari ◽  
C. P. Mengoni ◽  
M. De Lucia ◽  
L. Baldassarre
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Geometric Parameters ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Main Task ◽  
Stage Performance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Prediction Criteria

Extensive research on centrifugal compressors has been planned. The main task of the research is to improve present prediction criteria coming from the literature with particular attention to low flow coefficient impellers (low width to radius ratios) where they are no more valid. Very little data has been published for this kind of stages, especially for the last stage configuration (with discharge volute). Many experimental tests have been planned to investigate different configurations. A simulated stage with a backward channel upstream, a 2D impeller with a vaneless diffuser and a constant cross section volute downstream constitute the basic configuration. Several diffuser types with different widths, pinch shapes and diffusion ratios were tested. The effect of geometric parameters on stage stability has been discussed inside part I of the present work; the purpose of this part of the work is to illustrate the effect of the same geometric parameters on stage performance and to quantify the impact of stability improvements on stage losses.

Unsteady Aerodynamics of Low-Pressure Steam Turbines Operating Under Low Volume Flow

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Megerle ◽  
Timothy Stephen Rice ◽  
Ivan McBean ◽  
Peter Ott
Keyword(s):  
Unsteady Flow ◽  
Steam Turbine ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Unsteady Aerodynamics ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Stage Model ◽  
Steam Turbines ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Low Volume

Non-synchronous excitation under low volume operation is a major risk to the mechanical integrity of last stage moving blades (LSMBs) in low-pressure (LP) steam turbines. These vibrations are often induced by a rotating aerodynamic instability similar to rotating stall in compressors. Currently extensive validation of new blade designs is required to clarify whether they are subjected to the risk of not admissible blade vibration. Such tests are usually performed at the end of a blade development project. If resonance occurs a costly redesign is required, which may also lead to a reduction of performance. It is therefore of great interest to be able to predict correctly the unsteady flow phenomena and their effects. Detailed unsteady pressure measurements have been performed in a single stage model steam turbine operated with air under ventilation conditions. 3D CFD has been applied to simulate the unsteady flow in the air model turbine. It has been shown that the simulation reproduces well the characteristics of the phenomena observed in the tests. This methodology has been transferred to more realistic steam turbine multi stage environment. The numerical results have been validated with measurement data from a multi stage model LP steam turbine operated with steam. Measurement and numerical simulation show agreement with respect to the global flow field, the number of stall cells and the intensity of the rotating excitation mechanism. Furthermore, the air model turbine and model steam turbine numerical and measurement results are compared. It is demonstrated that the air model turbine is a suitable vehicle to investigate the unsteady effects found in a steam turbine.

Control of Self-Excited Oscillations in Centrifugal Blowers

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saad A. Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow Rate ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Critical Mass ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Flow Area ◽  
The Stability

Centrifugal compressors or blowers are widely used in many industrial applications. However, the operation of such systems is limited at low-mass flow rates by self-excited flow instabilities which could result in rotating stall or surge of the compressor. These instabilities will limit the flow range in which the compressor or the blower can operate, and will also lower their performance and efficiency. Experimental techniques were used to investigate a model of radial vaneless diffuser at stall and stall-free operating conditions. The speed of the impeller was kept constant, while the mass flow rate was reduced gradually to study the steady and unsteady operating conditions of the compressor. Additional experiments were made to investigate the effects of reducing the exit flow area on the inception of stall. The results indicate that the instability in the diffuser was successfully delayed to a lower flow coefficient when throttle rings were attached to either one or both of the diffuser walls (i.e., to reduce the diffuser exit flow area). The results also showed that an increase of the blockage ratio improves the stability of the system (i.e., the critical mass flow rate could be reduced to 50% of its value without blockage). The results indicate that the throttle rings could be an effective method to control stall in radial diffusers.

Distinctions Between Two Types of Self Excited Gas Oscillations in Vaneless Radial Diffusers

1979 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. N. Abdelhamid ◽  
J. Bertrand
Keyword(s):  
Static Pressure ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Width Ratio ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Oscillating Flows ◽  
Frequency Domains ◽  
Order Of Magnitude

Experiments were conducted to determine the characteristics of oscillating flows in a centrifugal compression system with vaneless diffusers. The system was operated without a diffuser and with eight different diffuser configurations to determine the effects of diffuser diameter and width ratios on the unsteady behavior of the system. Mean and fluctuating velocity and static pressure measurements were carried out in the time and frequency domains. The system without a diffuser was found to be stable at all operating conditions. The installation of any of the eight diffusers resulted in the generation of self-excited oscillations at some operating conditions. It was found that the critical flow coefficient at which onset of oscillations was observed increased as the diffuser width ratio was decreased and as the diameter ratio was increased. Comparison between the characteristics of the oscillations observed in the present study and those observed by other investigators indicate that rotating stall in two geometrically similar diffusers can be an order of magnitude different in the non-dimensional rotational speed and level of unsteady pressure fluctuations. These differences point towards the possibility of existence of more than one set of flow conditions which could lead to the occurrence of the unsteady phenomena.

Optimization of a High-Pressure Steam Turbine Stage for a Wide Flow Coefficient Range

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juri Bellucci ◽  
Filippo Rubechini ◽  
Andrea Arnone ◽  
Lorenzo Arcangeli ◽  
Nicola Maceli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Steam Turbine ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Turbine Stage ◽  
Aerodynamic Optimization ◽  
High Pressure Steam ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Pressure Steam

In this paper a multi-objective, aerodynamic optimization of a high-pressure steam turbine stage is presented. The overall optimization strategy relies on a neural-network-based approach, aimed at maximizing the stage’s efficiency, while at the same time increasing the stage loading. The stage under investigation is composed of prismatic blades, usually employed in a repeating stage environment and in a wide range of operating conditions. For this reason, two different optimizations are carried out, at high and low flow coefficients. The optimized geometries are chosen taking into account aerodynamic constraints, such as limitation of the pressure recovery in the uncovered part of the suction side, as well as mechanical constraints, such as root tensile stress and dynamic behavior. As a result, an optimum airfoil is selected and its performance are characterized over the whole range of operating conditions. Parallel to the numerical activity, both optimized and original geometries are tested in a linear cascade, and experimental results are available for comparison purposes in terms of loading distributions and loss coefficients. Comparisons between measurements and calculations are presented and discussed for a number of incidence angles and expansion ratios.

Optimization of a Large Injection System for Steam Turbines

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Nettis ◽  
Enzo Imparato ◽  
Lorenzo Cosi
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Total Pressure Loss ◽  
Injection System ◽  
Steam Turbines ◽  
Original Design ◽  
Design And Optimization ◽  
Large Injection

Steam turbines are applied in production plants characterized by very large injections of low pressure steam. For this reason the design and optimization of the injection section is fundamental to obtain an adequate level of turbine efficiency and ensure uniform flow at the inlet of the low pressure stages downstream the injection. This paper illustrate the optimization performed on a Steam Turbine injection system for a unit in which injection flow is 80% of the total outlet mass flow. Optimization was performed varying the shape of the original steam guide with the twofold objective of minimizing the total pressure loss and uniform the circumferential flow distribution. The analysis has been performed using RANS 2D and 3D CFD solver. The design process has been structured in 3 different steps: i) Axisymmetric CFD screening based on DOE ii) 3D-CFD verification of the profile shape previously obtained with the additional estimation of the flow uniformity on 360° iii) 3D-CFD of the injection module including the reaction stage upstream and the first LP stage downstream, with the stator modeled on 360°. The main outcomes are presented in terms of total pressure loss and uniformity of circumferential flow, both strongly reduced with respect to the original design. Moreover in order to characterize the excitation associated with flow non-uniformity an analysis in the frequency domain of the flow distribution has been performed.

scholarly journals Experimental Investigation of the Steady and Unsteady Relative Flow in a Model Centrifugal Impeller Passage

1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Abramian ◽  
J. H. G. Howard
Keyword(s):  
Laser Doppler Anemometry ◽  
Quantitative Description ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Low Specific Speed ◽  
Specific Speed ◽  
Relative Flow

The behaviour of the relative flow in centrifugal turbomachines is extremely complex due to the existence of various fluid dynamic phenomena and their interaction. At design and off-design operating conditions, the relative flow is subject to stationary unsteadiness which includes flow separation and wakes associated with passage pressure gradients, secondary flows, and boundary layer stability. It may also be subject to periodic unsteadiness such as is the rotating stall and cyclic flow phenomena induced by the casing. This paper describes detailed measurements of the relative velocity field in a very low specific speed centrifugal pump impeller (Ns=515). Measurements were conducted by means of a recently developed rotating laser-Doppler anemometry system. Detailed quantitative description of the mean and fluctuating components of the primary and secondary velocity fields are presented for an impeller without volute at design, 50% design and shut-off conditions. The flow pattern in this low specific speed impeller with high blade loading is dominated by the relative eddy (a phenomenon also present in potential flow) which has suppressed suction side separation. When the impeller was fitted with a volute, the cyclic variation of the impeller exit flow, induced by the volute at low flow rates, is also presented.

Investigation on Flow Characteristics and Stability of Control Valves for Steam Turbines

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guanwei Liu ◽  
Shunsen Wang ◽  
Hui Guo ◽  
Jingru Mao ◽  
Zhenping Feng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Control Valve ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Outlet Section ◽  
Steam Turbines ◽  
Control Valves ◽  
Structure Of Flow ◽  
Valve Disc

Through-flow capability and flow stability of some steam turbine control valves were studied by experimental investigation and numerical simulation. Based on the analysis of thermodynamic process in control valve, the relationship of flow coefficient, area ratio of valve outlet section to seat diameter section, pressure ratio and total pressure loss coefficient was deduced, and the expression of polytropic exponent was obtained. The relative deviations between formula results and experimental results are within 3%. Both expressions can be used for design and optimization to determine control valve parameters quantitatively. The results of 3D numerical simulation indicate that the topological structure of flow fields in all control valves is similar. The results of valve stability show that the airflow force acted on the valve disc depends on the vortex strength of flow around valve stem bush and valve disc, the asymmetric transonic impinging jet under the valve disc and the diffusing action. The valve operates steadily when the inlet and outlet Mach number are less than 0.15. As the unload degree is about 85%, stem vibrates at the operating conditions when pressure ratio is less than 0.8 and opening ratio is from 10% to 18%. A multihole annular orifice can make flow steady at all operating conditions.

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