Unsteady Flow Effect on Nonequilibrium Condensation in 3-D Low Pressure Steam Turbine Stages

Abstract

A numerical study simulating unsteady 3-D wet-steam flows through three-stage stator-rotor blade rows in a low-pressure steam turbine model experimentally conducted by Mitsubishi Heavy Industry (MHI) was presented in the last ASME Turbo Expo by our group. In this study, the previous discussion is extended to the discussion how nonequilibrium condensation is influenced by unsteady wakes and corner vortices from prefaced multi-stage blade rows. Unsteady 3-D flows through three-stage stator-rotor blade rows are simulated assuming nonequilibrium condensation. Flows with a different inlet flow condition are calculated and the results are compared with each other. Instantaneous condensate mass fractions are visualized at different spans and cross sections in the three-stage stator and rotor blade rows. Also the time and space dependent values are plotted and the obtained unsteady flow characteristics are explained.