Transient, Three-Dimensional, Finite-Element Analysis of Heat Flow in Turbine-Generator Rotors

The problem of three-dimensional, transient heat flow in the rotors of large turbine-generators is solved using a finite element formulation and employing new arch-shaped elements. Applications to negative sequence current heating and to rotor mechanical unbalance caused by thermal asymmetries are discussed. The method is shown to agree well with analytical calculations for heat flow in cylinders. Isothermal plots on a rotor isometric illustrate the pattern of heat flow.