Optimum stage design in axial-flow gas turbines
This paper proposes the formulation and solution procedures in the stage optimization of the effective dimensions of an axial-flow gas turbine. Increasing the stage efficiency and minimizing the overall mass of components per stage are the common objectives in gas turbine design. This multiple objective function, with important constraints like natural frequency limits, root stress values, and tip deflection in blades, constitutes the overall optimization problem. The problem is solved by using a modified nonlinear simplex method with a built-in user interactive program that helps in on-line modifications of parameters other than variables in the problem. Results are presented with single objective and multiple objective criteria, including sensitivity analyses about the optimum point.