Journal of Shandong University(Engineering Science) ›› 2026, Vol. 56 ›› Issue (5): 173-181.doi: 10.6040/j.issn.1672-3961.0.2025.153

• Mechanical, Energy and Power Engineering • Previous Articles    

Analysis of two-phase flow and structural response characteristics in gas turbine lubricating oil pipes

Zhang Bin1, Zhou Guangjie1, Ren Guanyu2, Xin Gongming2, Liu Bo2*   

  1. Zhang Bin1, Zhou Guangjie1, Ren Guanyu2, Xin Gongming2, Liu Bo2*(1. Shandong Electric Power Engineering Consulting Institute Co., Ltd., Jinan 250013, Shandong, China;
    2. School of Nuclear Science, Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, Shandong, China
  • Published:2026-10-19

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Abstract: To prevent gas locking and the consequent blockage of the lubricating-oil return pipeline in the first 300 MW-class F-class heavy-duty gas turbine, as well as pipeline deformation induced by unstable internal flow, the two-phase flow and structural response characteristics of the oil return pipeline were systematically investigated. A numerical model of gas-liquid two-phase flow covering the entire oil return pipeline was developed using the shear stress transport(SST)k-ω turbulence model and the volume of fluid(VOF)method. The flow patterns, two-phase flow regimes, and gas-liquid distributions in the pipeline were analyzed under different lubricating-oil temperatures and liquid volume fractions at the oil return inlet. Based on the simulated flow-field data, a fluid-structure interaction dynamic model of the oil return pipeline was subsequently established to investigate the structural response characteristics of the pipeline and its supports under different flow conditions. The numerical results indicated that the lubricating oil in the return pipeline primarily exhibited two characteristic flow patterns, including stratified flow and circumferential swirling flow. In the pipeline section characterized by circumferential swirling flow, the maximum liquid volume fraction occurred at the downstream end cross-section. The liquid volume fraction in the central cross-section of this section was positively correlated with the liquid volume fraction at the oil return inlet. As the lubricating oil temperature increased, the overall mean liquid volume fraction in the pipeline generally decreased. When the inlet liquid volume fraction was below 0.50, the system-averaged liquid volume fraction increased with increasing inlet liquid volume fraction. Structural mechanical analysis further demonstrated that the stress levels in both the pipeline system and its supports satisfied the requirements of the relevant design codes. The findings provided a theoretical basis for the optimal design and safety assessment of lubricating oil return systems in heavy-duty gas turbines and contributed to improving the operational reliability and stability of gas turbine units.

Key words: lubricating oil, two phase flow, fluid-structure interaction, structural response, gas turbines

CLC Number: 

  • TK124
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