The Effect of Inlet Conditions on Turbine Endwall Loss

There can be significant variation and uncertainty in the flow conditions entering a blade row. This article explores how this variability can affect endwall loss in axial turbines. A computational study of three cascades with collinear inlet boundary layers is conducted. Endwall loss varies by more than a factor of 3 depending on the inlet conditions. This variation is caused by dissipation of secondary kinetic energy (SKE). The results can be understood by observing that the inlet conditions predominantly control how secondary vorticity is distributed within the blade passage. Modestly thick inlet boundary layers with high shape factor tend to displace vorticity toward the center of the passage. This displacement reduces vorticity cancellation, increasing secondary velocities, and SKE. A general method is formulated to estimate SKE in preliminary design. Optimum aspect ratio is shown to depend on the inlet boundary condition. Strategies to reduce endwall loss and minimize sensitivity to inlet conditions are then highlighted.