Validation of a 3D RANS Solver With a State Equation of Thermally Perfect and Calorically Imperfect Gas on a Multi-Stage Low-Pressure Steam Turbine Flow

Abstract

A state equation of thermally perfect and calorically imperfect gas is implemented in a 3D RANS solver for turbomachinery flow applications. The specific heats are assumed as linear functions of temperature. The model is validated on a five-stage low-pressure steam turbine. The computational results exhibit the process of expansion in the turbine. The computed and measured distributions of flow parameters in axial gaps downstream of subsequent turbine stages are found to agree reasonably well. It is also shown that the obtained numerical solution gives considerable improvement over the solution based on the thermally and calorically perfect gas model.