ObjectivesThe localization of core components of heavy-duty gas turbines holds significant importance for technological innovation, industrial upgrading, and even national security. As a typical hot-end component of heavy-duty gas turbines, the performance of the turbine first-stage rotor blade directly determines the efficiency and reliability of the gas turbine. Therefore, the structure of the first-stage turbine blades of a certain heavy-duty gas turbine was optimized.MethodsBy increasing the number of bamboo nodes in the blade body, the blade cooling hole structure was optimized, and the thermal barrier coating was used to improve the blade coating. The temperature, stress distribution and aerodynamic efficiency of the blades before and after optimization under the service condition of the blade were compared and analyzed by fluid calculation and finite element calculation.ResultsHeat transfer efficiency inside the blade is enhanced by optimization of turbulent structure. Under the condition of the same inlet pressure of the cooling air, the surface temperature of the optimized blade is reduced by more than 50 ℃. Since the shape of the blade is not changed, there is little influence on the aerodynamic efficiency. Compared with the blades without optimization, the maximum equivalent stress and equivalent total strain of the optimized blade during service are significantly reduced.ConclusionsBy optimizing the cooling structure and upgrading the protective coatings, the reliability of the blades in high-temperature can be significantly improved. The research results provide a theoretical basis for the localization of gas turbines.