An analytical parameter study on the erosion of turbine blades subjected to flow containing particulates

The erosion damage to stator and rotor blades associated with flow containing particulates in turbines is investigated. The main parameters studied are blade leading edge thickness, blade turning angle, turbine inlet temperature, particle size, and particle densities. The computer programs used in the investigation are based on inviscid flow theory. Flow velocities relative to blades ranged up to sonic values. Results predict that decreasing flow turning angles and increasing blade leading edge thicknesses are the most effective ways to reduce erosion damage caused by impacting particles. Decreasing particle sizes and densities can also significantly reduce erosion rates.

The erosion model uses the brittle and ductile mode response exhibited by materials subjected to particle impacts to predict the total erosion damage. The accuracy for small (1 micron) particles is questionable since some of these particles will have long residence times in the boundary layers, causing deposition rather than erosion.