Numerical Simulation of Cascade Flow: Vortex Element Method for  Inviscid Flow Analysis and Axial Turbine Blade Design

Nono Suprayetno; Priyono Sutikno; Nathanael P. Tandian; Firman Hartono

Authors

Nono Suprayetno Directorate General of New Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, 10320 Jakarta, Indonesia
Priyono Sutikno New and Renewable Energy Research Centre LPPM, Institut Teknologi Bandung, 40132 Bandung, Indonesia
Nathanael P. Tandian Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Institut Teknologi Bandung, 40132 Bandung, Indonesia
Firman Hartono Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Institut Teknologi Bandung, 40132 Bandung, Indonesia

Keywords:

Axial turbine, airfoil, cascade, vortex method

Abstract

This study aims to design an axial turbine rotor blade and predict the turbine performance at preliminary design stage. Quasi three dimensional method was applied to design including blade to blade flow analysis. The blade profile uses a NACA 0015 airfoil by varying the profile thickness from hub to tip. The profile is divided into eleven segments which has different parameters. The profile was analysed using blade to blade flow/cascade flow analysis called vortex panel method to obtain lift coefficient. The analysis of cascade flow was performed in potential flow and prediction of turbine perfomance is carried out involving common best practice to give drag effect on the blade. The design of the turbine was applied on three different rotors, which also have a different discharge, head, and design rotation. The outer diameter of turbine 1 is 0.65 m, while turbine 2 and turbine 3 have an outer diameter of 0,60 m. The calculation result show that the efficiency of turbines 1, 2, and 3 were 88,32%, 89,67%, and 89,04%, respectively.