STRENGTH ANALYSIS OF STEAM TURBINE BLADES FOR A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

Abstract

The blade is an aerofoil-shaped component of a steam turbine that has a root attached to the rotor. The root is the base of the blade that supports the entire structure and transmits the torque generated by the steam flow to the rotor. The root must be designed in a manner that takes into account its removal during maintenance and positional maintenance on-the-fly during turbine operation. This essentially ensures a safe working environment for the operators and other personnel in the nuclear power plant.

Strength analysis of a steam turbine blade is a prerequisite procedure in the steam turbine design process during which the strength and durability of the blades under various operating conditions are evaluated. Such operating conditions include elevated temperatures, intense pressure and high rotational speeds. The purpose of this scientific work is to demonstrate that the blades can withstand such extreme conditions with little or no degradation over time. The adopted methodology involves modeling of the steam turbine blade using SolidWorks, and using the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software to simulate the mechanical behavior of the associated blade material under various stress and strain conditions. The analysis takes into account factors such as stress distribution and concentration to predict the response of the blade under high pressure steam jets. The results of the analysis are adopted in the optimization of blade design and material selection to ensure safe and efficient blade operation throughout the entire lifespan of the turbine blade. The results are also useful in the identification of potential areas of weakness or failure that can be addressed through design changes and material improvements.