Cooling considerations for design of a radial inflow turbine

A numerical study to determine the temperature distribution in the rotor of a radial inflow turbine is presented. Internal cooling passages are modeled in the present formulation in order to carry out solid and coolant temperature computations simultaneously resulting in a considerable computer time savings. The stresses due to centrifugal and thermal loadings are determined in an actual rotor and the effect of cooling design on its mechanical integrity is discussed.