Aerodynamic design and optimization of a multi-stage axial flow turbine using a one-dimensional method

In order to improve aerodynamic performance of multi-stage axial flow turbines used in aircraft engines, a one-dimensional aerodynamic design and optimization framework is constructed. In the method, flow path is generated by solving mass continuation and energy conservation with loss computed by the Craig & Cox model; Also real gas properties has been taken into consideration. To obtain an optimal result, a multi-objective genetic algorithm is used to optimize the efficiencies and determine values of various design variables; Final design can be selected from obtained Pareto optimal solution sets. A three-stage axial turbine is used to verify the effectiveness of the developed optimization framework, and designs are checked by three-dimensional CFD simulation. Results show that the aerodynamic performance of the optimized turbine has been significantly improved at design point, with the total-to-total efficiency increased by 1.17% and the total-to-static efficiency increased by 1.48%. As for the off-design performance, the optimized one is improved at all working points except those at small mass flow.