Study on Losses in the Intermediate-Pressure Steam Turbine Inlet Chamber

Abstract

Know-how about energy and pressure losses in all steam turbine parts is crucial to guarantee enhanced operational reliability and efficiency. This paper focuses on studying pressure losses in the intermediate-pressure turbine inlet chamber. Measurements were performed on a complex model consisting of the turbine inlet chamber, a compact valve assembly situated upstream, and nozzles located downstream. These intermediate-pressure turbine parts are larger due to the greater volumetric mass flow than the high-pressure turbine parts. However, their inner parts are proportionately smaller, which causes greater pressure losses. Measurements were carried out in the Aerodynamic laboratory of the Institute of Thermomechanics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, where the model was installed in an in-draft wind tunnel. The results were complemented by numerical simulations performed in the Doosan Skoda Power company using ANSYS software tools. Pressure losses were evaluated using the total pressure loss coefficient and, as a result, can be predicted in similar turbine inlet chambers with the required accuracy.