This paper describes a general computational method for predicting the dynamic behavior of gas turbines and their components during transient processes of the most varied kinds. Starting from the conservation laws of fluid and thermodynamics, formulas are derived with which non-stationary processes in the most important components of the gas turbine can be accurately predicted. As an example, the transient behavior of an open-cycle gas turbine with extreme changes in load is calculated. The comparison between the calculations and measurements demonstrates the accuracy and the reliability of the computational method. Although this method has so far been applied only to a broad range of power-generating gas turbines extending from open-cycle turbines to air storage turbines, it is also suitable for the simulation of aircraft gas turbines.

The effect of trailing edge ejection on the flow downstream of a cooled gas turbine blade is investigated. Parameters that affect the mixing losses and therefore the efficiency of cooled blades are the ejection velocity ratio, the cooling mass flow ratio, the slot-width ratio, and the ejection angle. For ejection velocity ratio μ = 1, the trailing edge ejection reduces the mixing losses downstream to the cooled blade. For given cooling mass flow ratios, optimum slot-width/trailing edge ratios are found, which correspond to the minimum mixing loss coefficients.

This paper presents an improved method of calibrating hot-film X-probes in incompressible flow. The yaw response of a hot-film X-probe was investigated for different velocities and found to be strongly velocity dependent at low velocities. A simple relation was developed to correct for the variation of yaw response at low velocities. The method using the yaw correction is compared with the single-velocity yaw calibration method. The correction to the yaw response considerably improves accuracy at low velocities.

The results of the study of the optimum thermo-fluid dynamic design concept are presented for turbine units operating within the open-cycle ocean thermal energy conversion (OC-OTEC) systems. The concept is applied to the first OC-OTEC net power producing experiment (NPPE) facility to be installed at Hawaii’s Natural Energy Laboratory. Detailed efficiency and performance calculations were performed for the radial turbine design concept with single and double-inflow arrangements. To complete the study, the calculation results for a single-stage axial steam turbine design are also presented. In contrast to the axial flow design with a relatively low unit efficiency, higher efficiency was achieved for single-inflow turbines. Highest efficiency was calculated for a double-inflow radial design, which opens new perspectives for energy generation from OC-OTEC systems.

The design of modern gas turbines requires the predetermination of their dynamic behavior during transients of various kinds. This is especially true for air storage and closed cycle gas turbine plants. The present paper is an introduction to a computatational method which permits an accurate simulation of any gas turbine system. Starting with the conservation equations of aero/thermodynamics, the modular computer program COTRAN was developed, which calculates the transient behavior of individual components as well as of entire gas turbine systems. For example, it contains modules for compressors, turbines, combustion chambers, pipes etc. To demonstrate the effectiveness of COTRAN the shut-down tests of the air storage gas turbine plant Huntorf were simulated and results compared with experimental data. The agreement was found to be very good.