Effects of temperature gradient on compressor casing in an industrial gas turbine

The main aim of this work is devoted to numerical study of temperature distribution effects on the distortion of the compressors casing and consequently the fracture of these blades using ANSYS software. The gas turbine operation history shows that the most fractures occur at the beginning of the cold seasons which may corroborate the probability that the compressor casing distortion due to the non-uniform temperature distribution, can lead to touch the blades tip section with the casing and their failures. Results show that the temperature distribution on the compressors casing is non-uniform at the cold season and this causes distortion on the casing. The casing distortion reduces clearance between first-row blades and compressor casing. Hence, it is concluded to modify the cooling procedure to prevent the occurrence of such a harmful problem.