To have a better understanding of microscopic behavior of salting-out particles under variable working conditions in a steam turbine

the salting-out particle velocity

particle number and particle diameter distribution under variable working conditions were simulated using coupling method of computational fluid dynamics and population balance model(CFD-PBM). The results show that

as the turbine load decreases

the area with low velocity at inlet of the salting-out flow field continuously extends

and gradually spreads to the whole cross section of the entrance area

the reverse vortex of the tailed-edge of rotor blade disappears when the turbine load is reduced to 60%. As the turbine load decreases

the deposition belt of salting-out particles with particle number of 6.5×1016 at the leading edge of the stator blade gradually shrinks

and the particle number in the steam turbine blade also gradually reduces. As the turbine load decreases

the particle diameter of the salting-out particles on the stator blade is about 0.1 ?m and its distribution is relatively uniform and varies not obviously

while the particle diameter of the salting-out particles on the rotor blade continuously increases. The simulation results are compared with the literatures' results and the pictures of salt deposition on the actual surface of turbine blades

it proves the simulation results are credible. The above conclusions are of important significance to searching methods to reduce the salt deposition on the steam turbine cascades and improving the efficiency and reliability of steam turbines.