Session: 28-04: Experimental techniques and applications

Paper Number: 151712

Validation Tests for a Gas Turbine Thin-Shell Duct 

Gas turbine (GT) liners, transition ducts and exhaust diffusers are large thin-shell ducts bounded by two barrels, typically characterized by multiple natural frequencies inside the operating speed range of the engine rotor. In most applications, GT ducts are simply supported on one side only and they are free to expand inside the gas turbine so to avoid thermal distresses. The GT ducts are typically damped structures able to prevent high cycles fatigue failures. Damping is provided by sliding features as insulation or bolted joints. This paper describes the validation campaign of a redesigned transition duct (TD) before it could replace the current TD. The TD in object connects the flow path of the gas generator turbine with the flow path of the power turbine. The new TD has been made more robust, but it has also been equipped of a damper capable to operate at high temperature. Validation has been performed in two steps. The first step has been the validation of the damper, plus the characterization at high temperatures of the friction coefficient of the materials used at sliding surfaces. The second step has been a full-scale validation of the new TD, but it also allowed to compare the dynamic behavior of current vs new design and to determine damper contribution.

Note: The paper finishes what was introduced in paper GT2021-58919.

Presenting Author: Paolo Di Sisto Baker Hughes

Presenting Author Biography: Master in Aeronautical engineer in 1995. In Baker Hughes since 1999. Senior Principal Engineer for gas turbine. Expert in flange to flange design, more specifically on rotor design.

Authors:

Paolo Di Sisto Baker Hughes
Maria Cristina Mancino Baker Hughes
Giulia Fioletti Baker Hughes