Paper 8: Calculations of the Flow Distribution within a Radial Turbine Rotor

Abstract

The distribution of pressure and velocity within the rotor of a radial flow gas turbine is computed using a two-dimensional streamline curvature method. Solutions are obtained on the meridional plane and also on three blade-to-blade surfaces at the hub, mid-blade position, and at the shroud. The torque, as calculated from the blade-to-blade flows, agrees with the measured torque over a speed range of approximately 2:1 with sufficient accuracy to support the usefulness of the flow structure as indicated by two-dimensional calculation methods applied to radial turbomachines.