The quality and purity of the air entering a gas turbine is a significant factor influencing its performance and life. Foulants in the ppm range which are not captured by the air filtration system usually cause deposits on blading, which results in a severe drop in the performance of the compressor. Through the interdisciplinary approach proposed in this paper, it is possible to determine the evolution of the fouling phenomenon through the integration of studies in different research fields: (i) numerical simulation, (ii) power plant characteristics, and (iii) particle-adhesion characteristics. In fact, the size of the particles, their concentrations and adhesion ability, and filtration efficiency represent the major contributors for performing a realistic quantitative analysis of fouling phenomena in an axial compressor. The aim of this work is the estimation of actual deposits on the blade surface in terms of location and quantity. This study combines the impact/adhesion characteristic of the particles obtained through a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) and the real size distribution of the contaminants in the air swallowed by the compressor. The blade zones affected by deposits are clearly reported by using easy-to-use contaminant maps realized on the blade surface, in terms of contaminant mass. The analysis has shown that particular fluid-dynamic phenomena and airfoil shape influence the pattern deposition. The use of a filtration system decreases the contamination of blade and the charge level of electrostatic filters seems to be less important than the air contaminant concentration. From these analyses, some guidelines for proper installation and management of the power plant (in terms of filtration systems and washing strategies) can be drawn up. Characterization of the air contaminants in the power plant location represents the most important step in improving the management of the gas turbine power plant.
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January 2017
Research-Article
Estimation of the Particle Deposition on a Subsonic Axial Compressor Blade
Alessio Suman,
Alessio Suman
Dipartimento di Ingegneria,
Università degli Studi di Ferrara,
Ferrara 44122, Italy
Università degli Studi di Ferrara,
Ferrara 44122, Italy
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Mirko Morini,
Mirko Morini
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale,
Università degli Studi di Parma,
Parma 43121, Italy
Università degli Studi di Parma,
Parma 43121, Italy
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Rainer Kurz,
Rainer Kurz
Solar Turbines Incorporated,
San Diego, CA 92123
San Diego, CA 92123
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Nicola Aldi,
Nicola Aldi
Dipartimento di Ingegneria,
Università degli Studi di Ferrara,
Ferrara 44122, Italy
Università degli Studi di Ferrara,
Ferrara 44122, Italy
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Klaus Brun,
Klaus Brun
Southwest Research Institute,
San Antonio, TX 78228
San Antonio, TX 78228
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Michele Pinelli,
Michele Pinelli
Dipartimento di Ingegneria,
Università degli Studi di Ferrara,
Ferrara 44122, Italy
Università degli Studi di Ferrara,
Ferrara 44122, Italy
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Pier Ruggero Spina
Pier Ruggero Spina
Dipartimento di Ingegneria,
Università degli Studi di Ferrara,
Ferrara 44122, Italy
Università degli Studi di Ferrara,
Ferrara 44122, Italy
Search for other works by this author on:
Alessio Suman
Dipartimento di Ingegneria,
Università degli Studi di Ferrara,
Ferrara 44122, Italy
Università degli Studi di Ferrara,
Ferrara 44122, Italy
Mirko Morini
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale,
Università degli Studi di Parma,
Parma 43121, Italy
Università degli Studi di Parma,
Parma 43121, Italy
Rainer Kurz
Solar Turbines Incorporated,
San Diego, CA 92123
San Diego, CA 92123
Nicola Aldi
Dipartimento di Ingegneria,
Università degli Studi di Ferrara,
Ferrara 44122, Italy
Università degli Studi di Ferrara,
Ferrara 44122, Italy
Klaus Brun
Southwest Research Institute,
San Antonio, TX 78228
San Antonio, TX 78228
Michele Pinelli
Dipartimento di Ingegneria,
Università degli Studi di Ferrara,
Ferrara 44122, Italy
Università degli Studi di Ferrara,
Ferrara 44122, Italy
Pier Ruggero Spina
Dipartimento di Ingegneria,
Università degli Studi di Ferrara,
Ferrara 44122, Italy
Università degli Studi di Ferrara,
Ferrara 44122, Italy
Contributed by the Turbomachinery Committee of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING FOR GAS TURBINES AND POWER. Manuscript received June 19, 2016; final manuscript received June 24, 2016; published online August 30, 2016. Editor: David Wisler.
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. Jan 2017, 139(1): 012604 (10 pages)
Published Online: August 30, 2016
Article history
Received:
June 19, 2016
Revised:
June 24, 2016
Citation
Suman, A., Morini, M., Kurz, R., Aldi, N., Brun, K., Pinelli, M., and Spina, P. R. (August 30, 2016). "Estimation of the Particle Deposition on a Subsonic Axial Compressor Blade." ASME. J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. January 2017; 139(1): 012604. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4034209
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