Abstract
The objective of this study is to investigate the three-dimensional turbulence flow characteristics of a rotor passage of an one-stage axial flow gas turbine and to investigate the effects of a boundary layer fence installed on the hub endwall of the rotor passage. Secondary flows occurring within the rotor passage (e.g. horseshoe vortex, passage vortex, and cross flow) cause secondary loss and reduce turbine efficiency. To control these secondary flows, a boundary layer fence measuring half the height of the thickness of the inlet boundary layer was installed on the hub endwall of the rotor passage. This study was performed numerically. The results show that the wake and secondary flows generated by the stator reduced the rotor load to constrain the development of cross flow and secondary flow reinforced by the rotor passage. In addition, the secondary vortices occurring within the rotor passage were reduced by the rotation of the rotor. Although, the boundary layer fence induced additional vortices, giving rise to an additional loss of turbine, its presence was shown to reduce the total pressure loss when compared to effects of the case without fence regardless of the relative position of blades by enervating secondary vortices occurred within the rotor passage.