INTERACTION OF RIM SEAL AND MAIN ANNULUS FLOW IN A LOW-SPEED TURBINE RIG

The influence of the sealing flows on the secondary flows of a low-pressure turbine has been assessed numerically using multi-row steady and unsteady simulations. The experimental data obtained at the Large Scale Turbine Rig (LSTR) at Technische Universitat Darmstadt have been used to validate the numerical method and complement the simulations. Steady and unsteady state solutions and experiments are compared to understand the importance of the unsteadiness in the accuracy of numerical simulations. It is concluded that unsteady rotor/stator simulations enhance the prediction of the stator secondary flows, especially in the tip region. The effect of the sealing air is analysed, varying the cooling mass flow for two operating conditions. The penetration of the sealing flow in the main steam increases withthe cooling flow, displacing the horseshoe and passage vortices towards the mid-span.