Analysis of Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics in the Steam Turbine Low-Pressure Cylinder Under Low Flow Conditions

Wang Xinlong; Liu Zhongyuan; Zhang Jiajie; Ma Suxia; Li Yong; Qu Zhiguo

doi:10.21656/1000-0887.460162

Volume 47 Issue 7

Jul. 2026

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Article Navigation > Applied Mathematics and Mechanics > 2026 > 47(7): 858-868

Wang Xinlong, Liu Zhongyuan, Zhang Jiajie, Ma Suxia, Li Yong, Qu Zhiguo. Analysis of Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics in the Steam Turbine Low-Pressure Cylinder Under Low Flow Conditions[J]. Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, 2026, 47(7): 858-868. doi: 10.21656/1000-0887.460162

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Analysis of Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics in the Steam Turbine Low-Pressure Cylinder Under Low Flow Conditions

doi: 10.21656/1000-0887.460162

1. College of Electrical and Power Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology,Taiyuan 030024, P.R. China;
2. Shanxi Research Institute of Huairou Laboratory, Taiyuan 030032, P.R. China;
3. Key Laboratory of ThermoFluid Science and Engineering, MOE,School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, P.R. China

Received Date: 2025-09-04
Rev Recd Date: 2025-11-15

Available Online: 2026-07-23

Abstract

Abstract

With the widespread implementation of zero-output transformation of low-pressure cylinders in heating units, the low-pressure cylinders of steam turbines often need to operate at extremely low flow rates. To get a deeper understanding of the flow behavior under this working condition, the low-pressure cylinder of a steam turbine in a certain power plant was studied, a numerical calculation model for the final-stage flow channel was constructed, and the structure of the final-stage flow field and the temperature changes on the surface of the moving blades were inspected through simulation analysis of the flow state and aerodynamic performance in the cylinder under variable working conditions, especially at low flow rates. The research results indicate that, at low flow rates, the gas separation and backflow will occur in the final stage of the low-pressure cylinder. The separation initially occurs at the moving blade root and gradually spreads to the blade top as the flow rate decreases. Local vortices emerge in the channel, and a negative attack angle appears at the moving blade inlet, which significantly hinders the normal steam flow. When the load drops to 15%THA, a local high-temperature zone will appear at the steam outlet edge on the top of the last stage stator blade, showing the blower heating effect. As the flow rate further decreases, the high-temperature area will keep expanding and the maximum temperature will continue to rise. When the load decreases to 10%THA, the maximum surface temperature of the moving blade will rise by 40.29% compared with the rated working condition. This research provides a reference basis for the safe operation of the low-pressure cylinder of the heating unit after the zero-output transformation.
- small flow,
- low-pressure cylinder flow field,
- windage heating,
- spray attemperation

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References(21)

References

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