Turbine Passage Design Methodology to Minimize Entropy Production-A Two-Step Optimization Strategy

Area of Science:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Fluid Dynamics

Background:

• Rapid aerodynamic design and optimization are crucial for advancing turbomachinery development.
• Existing methods can be complex and parameter-intensive, hindering rapid design cycles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a new methodology for aerodynamic design and optimization of turbine stages.
• To achieve high efficiency and high stage loading using a simplified parameterization strategy.
• To validate the methodology by designing a highly loaded and efficient turbine for the Purdue Experimental Turbine Aerothermal Laboratory.

Main Methods:

• A 1D mean-line design approach integrated with 2D/3D aerodynamic parameterization.
• Optimization focused on maximizing entropy efficiency and stage loading simultaneously.
• Analysis of optimal design trends for stator and rotor based on pitch-to-chord ratio and blade angles.
• Proposal of a correction term for the Horlock efficiency equation using measured blade kinetic losses.

Main Results:

• Successful design of a highly loaded and efficient turbine stage.
• Identification of optimal design trends for turbine components.
• Validation of the proposed parameterization strategy for rapid aerodynamic optimization.
• Demonstration of a Pareto front summarizing optimal aerodynamic performance and stage loading.

Conclusions:

• The presented methodology enables rapid aerodynamic design and optimization of turbomachinery.
• The simplified parameterization strategy effectively balances high efficiency and stage loading.
• The proposed correction term enhances the accuracy of efficiency calculations.
• The study provides valuable insights into optimal turbine design characteristics.