Particle image velocimetry measurements of the three-dimensional flow in an exhaust hood model of a low-pressure steam turbine

Abstract

The three-dimensional flow structure inside an exhaust hood model of a low-pressure steam turbine was investigated using a particle image velocimetry (PIV) velocity field measurement technique. The PIV measurements were carried out in several selected planes under design operation conditions with simulated total pressure distribution and axial velocity profile. The mean flow fields revealed a complicated vortical flow structure and the major sources of energy loss. Vortices with different scales were observed inside the exhausi hood: a strong separation vortex (SV) behind the tip of the guide vane, a longitudinal vortex (LV) at the exhaust hood top, a large-scale passage vortex (PV) evolving throughout the flow path, and an end-wall vortex (EWV) in the region adjacent to the front end-wall. Both the SV and the large-scale PV seemed to consume large amounts of kinetic energy and reduce the pressure recovery ability. The results indicate that the steam guide vane and the bearing cone should be carefully designed so as to control the vortical flow structure inside the exhaust hood.