Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotor blade for a gas turbine system. The rotor blade includes a platform having a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface. A shank portion extends radially inwardly from the radially inner surface of the platform. The shank portion and the platform collectively define a shank pocket. An airfoil extends radially outwardly from the radially outer surface of the platform. The shank portion, the platform, and the airfoil collectively define a cooling passage extending from a cooling passage inlet defined by the shank portion or the platform and directly coupled to the shank pocket through the platform to a cooling passage outlet defined by the airfoil.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotor blade for a gas turbine system. The rotor blade includes a platform having a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface. A shank portion extends radially inwardly from the radially inner surface of the platform. The shank portion and the platform collectively define a shank pocket. An airfoil extends radially outwardly from the radially outer surface of the platform. The shank portion, the platform, and the airfoil collectively define a cooling passage extending from a cooling passage inlet defined by the shank portion or the platform and directly coupled to the shank pocket through the platform to a cooling passage outlet defined by the airfoil.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling heated components in a turbine are provided. According to one embodiment, a system for cooling a turbine is provided that may include at least one liquid source which may include a coolant liquid. The system may also include at least one liquid nozzle in fluid communication with the liquid source or sources and operable to deliver the coolant liquid in an atomized form adjacent to at least one heated turbine component positioned in a hot gas path of the turbine. Upon delivering the atomized coolant liquid adjacent to the heated turbine component or components, at least a portion of the coolant liquid substantially changes phase to a gas.