Computational fluid dynamics analysis of 1 MW steam turbine inlet geometries

This paper analyses the influence of three different ring-type inlet duct geometries on the performance of a small 1 MW backpressure steam turbine. It examines the efficiency and pressure drop of seven turbine variants, including four spiral inlet geometries and three stages with a mass flow rate around 30 t/h. A one-pipe and two-pipe inlets are analysed from aerodynamical point of view, taking into account stator and rotor blades in three stages without the outlet. An outlet is added to the best variant. Also analysed is the occurrence of vortices in the inlets of the studied variants 1–7 as well as the efficiency, drop pressure, turbine power and mass flow. Finally, the best inlet for a 1 MW steam turbine is suggested