ASME Journal of Turbomachinery 1 Rona, TURBO-17-1028 LOSS REDUCTION IN A 1.5 STAGE AXIAL TURBINE BY COMPUTER-DRIVEN STATOR HUB CONTOURING Hayder M. B. Obaida Middle Technical University, Engineering Technical College, Baghdad 7F7P+JG, Iraq Dr.Haydermahdi@mtu.edu.iq ASME Student Member Aldo Rona * Department of Engineering, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, U.K. ar45@leicester.le.ac.uk ASME Member J. Paul Gostelow Department of Engineering, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, U.K. jpg7@leicester.ac.uk ASME Fellow ABSTRACT Improvements in stage isentropic efficiency and reductions in total pressure loss are sought in a 1.5 stage axial turbine. This is representative of power generation equipment used in thermal power cycles, which deliver about 80% of the 20 trillion kWh world-wide electricity. Component-level improvements are therefore timely and important towards achieving carbon dioxide global emission targets. Secondary flow loss reduction is sought by applying a non-axisymmetric endwall design to the turbine stator hub. A guide groove directs the pressure side branch of the horseshoe vortex away from the airfoil suction side, using a * Corresponding author.