Increasing the Aerodynamic Loading of Axial Flow Turbines

Abstract

Monitoring of velocity variation around airfoil profiles, together with computation of boundary layer variation, have made it possible to increase the aerodynamic loading of turbine blading, that is to say to increase both the Mach number level and the deviation, this being obtained without any reduction of the blading optimum operating envelope. Tests conducted on a flat blade cascade and on a complete turbine stage have permitted first to cross-check and validate the methods in use, and further, to successfully obtain the anticipated results.