Investigation of a Steam Turbine with Leaned Blades by Through Flow Analysis and 3D CFD Simulation

In order to get more insight into the influence of blade lean angle on the flow performance in the design process of a one-stage turbine with large diameter/height ratio, a through-flow tool of AxSTREAM is used to make the investigation. Based on the optimization of design, stage performances of variable working conditions for twenty-one lean angles in stator and in rotor respectively are simulated through DoE analysis. Some results for five typical lean angles are compared with the data of a 3D CFD simulation performed with FINE/TURBO software. The changes of reaction and static pressure distributions under different lean angles are presented, with discussion and analysis of the influence of parameters, such as diameter/height ratio and rotation speed, on the best lean angle.