Results of experiments for determining the influence of blade profile changes and manufacturing tolerances on the efficiency, the enthalpy drop, and the mass flow of multi-stage axial turbines

Abstract

When gas and steam turbines are in use, the blade profiles can be thinned by corrosion or erosion and thickened under the influence of deposit formation, thus causing a reduction in efficiency and lifetime. During the production of turbine blades, it is possible that the profiles often become thinner or thicker than the given specified profiles, also causing a decline in efficiency. In addition, the production costs of turbine blades are, to a considerable extent, dependent on the manufacturing tolerances. This report details the effects of thinning and thickening of the profiles on the efficiency, the drop, and the mass flow of multi-stage axial turbines.