Steam Turbine Stationary Blades with Ejection Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam turbines face erosion issues due to water droplet deposition on stationary blades, which reduces operational efficiency and lifetime, and current solutions like water extraction increase manufacturing costs and reduce operating efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of stationary blades with ejection channels that direct a higher-temperature fluid along the pressure side towards the trailing edge, evaporating water droplets and reducing their deposition, thereby minimizing erosion on downstream rotor blades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water extraction is implemented to reduce water droplet deposition on stationary blades, then erosion on rotor blades is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases and operating efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful water droplets from the steam flow path by introducing ejection channels that direct high-temperature fluid to evaporate water droplets on the pressure side of stationary blades, eliminating the need for complex water extraction systems while maintaining blade protection
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a high-temperature ejection fluid as an intermediary substance that transfers thermal energy to evaporate water droplets on blade surfaces, indirectly removing the harmful moisture without requiring direct water extraction mechanisms
2Reliability
If passive approaches are used to reduce erosion through changes to guide vanes and flow path design, then blade protection is improved, but turbine performance is reduced and blading costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by introducing high-temperature ejection fluid before water droplets can cause erosion, proactively evaporating moisture on blade surfaces upstream of the rotor blades to prevent harmful impingement before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the steam flow by introducing hotter ejection fluid through the ejection channels, creating localized high-temperature zones that evaporate water droplets without requiring extensive redesign of the overall flow path geometry
3Ease of manufacture
If stationary blades are designed without ejection channels, then manufacturing is simpler, but water droplet deposition causes rotor blade erosion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates ejection channels within the stationary blade structure that allow high-temperature fluid to be injected through the blade material itself, creating a porous-like flow path network that delivers protective thermal energy directly to critical blade surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces passive mechanical blade designs with an active thermal management system where ejection channels deliver high-temperature fluid to evaporate water droplets, substituting mechanical erosion protection with thermal field-based protection
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively reduces erosion on rotor blades by evaporating water droplets and redirecting remaining droplets, enhancing the operational efficiency and longevity of steam turbines while minimizing manufacturing and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
evaporating water droplets and reducing their deposition
Data Source
AI summary
A set of stationary blades for a steam turbine is provided. At least one of the stationary blades includes a suction side and an opposite pressure side, and a plurality of ejection channels defined in the at least one stationary blade. Each of the plurality of ejection channels extends through an outer surface of the pressure side, and each of the plurality of ejection channels is coupled in flow communication to a blade inlet aperture.