Degradation Effects on a Performance of Rotor and Stator Blades in a Gas Turbine First Stage

Abstract

A current highly efficient gas turbine is operated at a high temperature and a high pressure condition. Moreover, because of the long-time operations, the turbine blades are degraded due to abrasion, erosion and fracture. Since these cause power decline and efficiency deterioration, understanding of the characteristics is important. In the present study, 3-D shapes of rotor and stator blades in an in-service gas turbine first stage were scanned. A simulation model and a cascade test equipment were created by using these and degradation effects on the gas turbine performance were examined by experiments and numerical simulations. As a result, the shape degradation of the stator blade was found to significantly affect the gas turbine performance.