To explore the influence of the rotor solidity on the axial turbine element stage flow status and performance

unsteady numerical simulations on the turbine element stages with five different rotor solidity were conducted

and the rotor solidity influence on the element stage reaction

blade inlet and outlet flow angles

stator and rotor flow fields and loss status was investigated.The research results indicate that the effects of the rotor solidity alteration on the turbine element stage flow status and performance are directly associated with the stator solidity.When the stator solidity remains constant

The rotor solidity alteration changes the turbine element stage reaction by changing the mass flow rate through the element stage.As the rotor solidity increased to a certain extent

shocks will arise from the excessive expansion and acceleration of the gas flow in the stator region

as well as the flow separation caused by the shock interaction with the boundary layer.As the rotor solidity reduced to a certain extent

an large positive flow incidence will occur at the rotor inlet and cause a great range of flow separation on the rotor suction side.When the stator solidity remains constant

there's one best rotor solidity

resulting in the best turbine element stage performance.