Multistage Aspects and Unsteady Effects of Stator and Rotor Clocking in an Axial Turbine With Low Aspect Ratio Blading

This paper presents the outcome of a recent study in clocking-related flow features and multistage effects occurring in high-pressure turbine blade geometries. The current investigation deals with an experimentally based systematic analysis of the effects of both stator-stator and rotor-rotor clocking. Due to the low aspect ratio of the turbine geometry, the flow field is strongly three-dimensional and is dominated by secondary flow structures. The investigation aims to identify the flow interactions involved and the associated effects on performance improvement or degradation. Consequently a three-dimensional numerical analysis has been undertaken to provide the numerical background to the test case considered. The experimental studies were performed in a two-stage axial research turbine facility. The turbine provides a realistic multi-stage environment, in which both stator blade rows and the two rotors can be clocked relative to each other. All blade rows have the same blade number count, which tends to amplify clocking effects. Unsteady and steady measurements were obtained in the second stage using fast response aerodynamic probes (FRAP) and miniature pneumatic 5-hole probes. The current comprehensive investigation has shown that multistage and unsteady flow effects of stator and rotor clocking in low aspect ratio turbines are combined in a nonlinear fashion caused by axial and radial redistribution of low energy fluid. The integral result of clocking on stage efficiency is compensated by competing loss generating mechanisms across the span.