Effect of Particle Size Distribution on Particle Dynamics and Blade Erosion in Axial Flow Turbines

This work presents the results of an investigation conducted to study the effect of coal ash particle size distribution on the particle dynamics, and the resulting blade erosion in axial flow gas turbines. The particle dynamics and their blade impacts are determined from a three-dimensional trajectory analysis within the turbine blade passages. The particle rebound conditions and the blade material erosion characteristics are simulated using empirical equations, derived from experimental measurements. For the typical ash particle size distribution considered in this investigation, the results demonstrate that the size distribution has a significant influence on the blade erosion intensity and pattern.