Utilizing a pressure-based CFD solver for modelling wet steam flow in low-pressure turbine stages: a predictive approach to assessing flow losses

Abstract

This research focuses on addressing a critical challenge in steam turbine operation, specifically condensation losses within the Low-Pressure (LP) section. Such losses have a significant impact on energy efficiency and operational costs in industries like power generation and manufacturing. The objective of this research is to predict condensation losses in the LP part of steam turbines. The simulation of the two-phase flow of wet steam is performed in the ANSYS CFX software. The geometry studied in this research is the actual geometry of the last stage of a steam turbine, which is modeled in three dimensions. The complexities of modeling three-dimensional flows, as well as providing relationships that can be used to calculate losses that can be generalized and used in different conditions, are distinctive features of this research.