Fluid flow in a turbine rotor for a wide range of operation was visualized using a water-table model by means of a tracer method with a rotating camera. Two types of turbine rotor were tested: one was a rotor with radial blades modeling a radial inflow gas turbine and the other was a rotor with curved blades modeling a Francis-type pump turbine. The model rotor was tested at speed between 19 and 38 rpm, where the flow was turbulent. The observed flow pattern was compared with the predicted streamlines based on a potential flow analysis at several conditions. Furthermore, the pictures clarified the flow patterns improved by a small modification of the leading edge shape and unstable flow pattern at a certain condition.
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