Experimental Characterization of Losses in Bladeless Turbine Prototype

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avinash Renuke ◽  
Federico Reggio ◽  
Alberto Traverso ◽  
Matteo Pascenti
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Experimental Characterization ◽  
Scaling Effects ◽  
Low Performance ◽  
Low Sensitivity ◽  
First Time

Abstract Multi-disk bladeless turbines, also known as Tesla turbines, are promising in the field of small-scale power generation and energy harvesting due to their low sensitivity to down-scaling effects, retaining high rotor efficiency. However, low (less than 40%) overall isentropic efficiency has been recorded in the experimental literature. This article aims for the first time to a systematic experimental characterization of loss mechanisms in a 3-kW Tesla expander using compressed air as working fluid and producing electrical power through a high speed generator (40krpm). The sources of losses discussed are: stator losses, stator-rotor peripheral viscous losses, end wall ventilation losses and leakage losses. After description of experimental prototype, methodology and assessment of measurement accuracy, the article discusses such losses aiming at separating the effects that each loss has on the overall performance. Once effects are separated, their individual impact on the overall efficiency curves is presented. This experimental investigation, for the first time, gives the insight into the actual reasons of low performance of Tesla turbines, highlighting critical areas of improvement, and paving the way to next generation Tesla turbines, competitive with state of the art bladed expanders.

Experimental Characterization of Losses in Bladeless Turbine Prototype

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avinash Renuke ◽  
Federico Reggio ◽  
Alberto Traverso ◽  
Matteo Pascenti
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Experimental Characterization ◽  
Scaling Effects ◽  
Low Performance ◽  
Low Sensitivity ◽  
First Time

Abstract Multi-disk bladeless turbines, also known as Tesla turbines, are promising in the field of small-scale power generation and energy harvesting due to their low sensitivity to down-scaling effects, retaining high rotor efficiency. However, low (less than 40%) overall isentropic efficiency has been recorded in the experimental literature. This article aims for the first time to a systematic experimental characterization of loss mechanisms in a 3-kW Tesla expander using compressed air as working fluid and producing electrical power through a high speed generator (40krpm). The sources of losses discussed are: stator losses, stator-rotor peripheral viscous losses, end wall ventilation losses and leakage losses. After description of experimental prototype, methodology and assessment of measurement accuracy, the article discusses such losses aiming at separating the effects that each loss has on the overall performance. Once effects are separated, their individual impact on the overall efficiency curves is presented. This experimental investigation, for the first time, gives the insight into the actual reasons of low performance of Tesla turbines, highlighting critical areas of improvement, and paving the way to next generation Tesla turbines, competitive with state of the art bladed expanders.

Experimental Investigation on a 3 kW Air Tesla Expander With High Speed Generator

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avinash Renuke ◽  
Federico Reggio ◽  
Paolo Silvestri ◽  
Alberto Traverso ◽  
Matteo Pascenti
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Efficient Design ◽  
Electric Generator ◽  
Vibrational Response ◽  
Machine Maintenance ◽  
Performance Results

Abstract Tesla bladeless turbomachines are recently being investigated due to many advantages such as its simple design and ease of manufacturing. If an efficient design is achieved, this will be a promising machine in the area of small-scale power generation and energy harvesting. This paper focuses on the experimental performance investigation of 3 kW (rated power) Tesla bladeless expander. The Tesla expander and electric generator are housed in a single casing making it first of its kind being tested with such configuration. The expander is fed with air and operated at high rotational speeds up to 40000 rpm. The test is carried out with different number of nozzles to understand its effect on the performance. Results show that the peak efficiency for two nozzles is better than one nozzle and four nozzle configurations for the same inlet pressure conditions. Experimental tests revealed that this turbine is most efficient Tesla turbine till now with air as a working fluid. Furthermore, one of the most important losses in Tesla turbomachines, nozzle loss, is experimentally characterized. Specific vibrational tests were carried out to obtain complete machine dynamical characterization. The vibrational response characterization of the turbine enabled us to recognize a disk mode family solicited by the air flow and to perform a proper machine maintenance and balancing aiming to reduce the energy of its operational vibration.

Experimental Investigation of a Small-Scale Orc Turbo-Generator Supported On Gas-Lubricated Bearings

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kévin Rosset ◽  
Olivier Pajot ◽  
Jurg Schiffmann
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Organic Rankine Cycle ◽  
Mechanical Efficiency ◽  
Load Level ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Electrical Machine ◽  
Turbo Generator

Abstract Waste heat recovery is expected to contribute to reducing CO2 emissions from trucks. Organic Rankine cycle (ORC) systems show the highest potential for this application, but still lack efficient small-scale expansion devices, in practice. A novel turbo-generator supported on gas-lubricated bearings is presented in this paper. The device combines a single-stage radial-inflow turbine and a permanent-magnet machine in a single rotating part supported on aerodynamic bearings, lubricated with the working fluid (R245fa). The oil-free expander was tested within a dedicated ORC test setup. It was driven up to its nominal speed of 100 kRPM, generated up to 2.3 kW of electrical power, and reached a peak overall efficiency of 67%. Although the prototype was not actively cooled, the mechanical losses of the rotor shaft and the iron loss of the electrical machine reached their nominal levels. Only the copper loss was at a part-load level. The electro-mechanical efficiency of the turbo-generator reached 91% and is expected to increase while testing the device at higher load. This proof of concept confirms the high-speed and low-loss potential of gas-lubricated bearings for small-scale dynamic expanders.

Tribological Characterization of Machining at Very Small Contact Areas

2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R. Lovell ◽  
P. Cohen ◽  
Pradeep L. Menezes ◽  
R. Shankar
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Friction Mechanisms ◽  
High Speed Steel ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Machining Processes ◽  
Macroscopic Theory ◽  
Contact Areas ◽  
Tribological Characterization ◽  
Physical Phenomena

When machining miniaturized components, the contact conditions between the tool and the workpiece exhibit very small contact areas that are on the order of 10−5 mm2. Under these conditions, extremely high contact stresses are generated, and it is not clear whether macroscopic theories for the chip formation, cutting forces, and friction mechanisms are applicable. For this reason, the present investigation has focused on creating a basic understanding of the frictional behavior in very small scale machining processes so that evaluations of standard macroscale models could be performed. Specialized machining experiments were conducted on 70/30 brass materials using high-speed steel tools over a range of speeds, feeds, depths of cut, and tool rake angles. At each operating condition studied, the friction coefficient and the shear factor τk were obtained. Based on the experimental results, it was determined that the standard macroscopic theory for analyzing detailed friction mechanisms was insufficient in very small scale machining processes. An approach that utilized the shear factor, in contrast, was found to be better for decoupling the physical phenomena involved. Utilizing the shear factor as an analysis parameter, the parameters that significantly influence the friction in microscale machining processes were ascertained and discussed.

Experimental characterization of an innovative low-temperature small-scale Rotary Displacer Stirling Engine

2019 ◽  
Vol 201 ◽  
pp. 112073
Author(s):  
Amirhossein Bagheri ◽  
William C. Mullins ◽  
Phillip R. Foster ◽  
Huseyin Bostanci
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Stirling Engine ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Experimental Characterization

Flow Visualization Study of Jet and Bucket Interactions in Traditional and Hooped Pelton Runner

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaurangkumar Chaudhari ◽  
Salim Channiwala ◽  
Samip Shah ◽  
Digvijay Kulshreshtha
Keyword(s):  
Flow Visualization ◽  
Flow Pattern ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
High Speed Photography ◽  
Pelton Turbine ◽  
Single Jet ◽  
Absolute Frame ◽  
First Time

Abstract This paper aims to study the flow pattern in and around a bucket of a Traditional and a Hooped Pelton runner at single injector operation and illustrates different stages of jet interaction. High speed photography is used to study the flow pattern, keeping the camera in different positions relative to the jet and to the bucket. It is concluded from the results that the flow visualization study, provides exceptional observations with an absolute frame of reference to mark the bucket duty period of a single-jet Pelton runner. The small scale models display erosion damages at the bucket lips, this indicated that the high pressure occur in the early stage of interaction. This fact is substantiated by the present flow visualization studies for the first time. The uncertainty of the free surface outflow within the Pelton turbine bucket establishes good documentation. The results are helpful to know the interaction between the jet and bucket of Pelton turbine.

Experimental Characterization of Intrinsic Properties Associated With Air-Assisted Liquid Jet and Liquid Sheet

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Balaji ◽  
V. Sivadas ◽  
Vishnu Radhakrishna ◽  
Khushal Ashok Bhatija ◽  
K. Sai Charan
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Liquid Sheet ◽  
Interfacial Instability ◽  
Wave Number ◽  
Liquid Jets ◽  
Liquid Jet ◽  
Experimental Characterization ◽  
Interfacial Wave ◽  
Visualization Techniques

The present study focuses on experimental characterization of interfacial instability pertinent to liquid jet and liquid sheet in the first wind-induced zone. To accomplish this objective, the interfacial wave growth rate, critical wave number, and breakup frequency associated with air-assisted atomizer systems were extracted by utilizing high-speed flow visualization techniques. For a range of liquid to gas velocities tested, nondimensionalization with appropriate variables generates the corresponding correlation functions. These functions enable to make an effective comparison between interfacial wave developments for liquid jet and sheet configurations. It exhibits liquid sheets superiority over liquid jets in the breakup processes leading to efficient atomization.

System and component modelling of a low temperature solar thermal energy conversion cycle

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 51-62
Author(s):  
Shadreck M. Situmbeko ◽  
Freddie L. Inambao
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Solar Thermal Energy ◽  
Solar Field ◽  
Conversion Technology

Solar thermal energy (STE) technology refers to the conversion of solar energy to readily usable energy forms. The most important component of a STE technology is the collectors; these absorb the shorter wavelength solar energy (400-700nm) and convert it into usable, longer wavelength (about 10 times as long) heat energy. Depending on the quality (temperature and intensity) of the resulting thermal energy, further conversions to other energy forms such as electrical power may follow. Currently some high temperature STE technologies for electricity production have attained technical maturity; technologies such as parabolic dish (commercially available), parabolic trough and power tower are only hindered by unfavourable market factors including high maintenance and operating costs. Low temperature STEs have so far been restricted to water and space heating; however, owing to their lower running costs and almost maintenance free operation, although operating at lower efficiencies, may hold a key to future wider usage of solar energy. Low temperature STE conversion technology typically uses flat plate and low concentrating collectors such as parabolic troughs to harness solar energy for conversion to mechanical and/or electrical energy. These collector systems are relatively cheaper, simpler in construction and easier to operate due to the absence of complex solar tracking equipment. Low temperature STEs operate within temperatures ranges below 300oC. This research work is geared towards developing feasible low temperature STE conversion technology for electrical power generation. Preliminary small-scale concept plants have been designed at 500Wp and 10KWp. Mathematical models of the plant systems have been developed and simulated on the EES (Engineering Equation Solver) platform. Fourteen candidate working fluids and three cycle configurations have been analysed with the models. The analyses included a logic model selector through which an optimal conversion cycle configuration and working fluid mix was established. This was followed by detailed plant component modelling; the detailed component model for the solar field was completed and was based on 2-dimensional segmented thermal network, heat transfer and thermo fluid dynamics analyses. Input data such as solar insolation, ambient temperature and wind speed were obtained from the national meteorology databases. Detailed models of the other cycle components are to follow in next stage of the research. This paper presents findings of the system and solar field component.

Characterization of Piezoelectric Materials for Thermoacoustic Power Transduction

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Wekin ◽  
C. Richards ◽  
K. Matveev ◽  
M. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Piezoelectric Materials ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Power Production ◽  
Piezoelectric Transducers ◽  
Maximum Power ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Thermoacoustic Engine ◽  
Thermoacoustic Engines

In this work an experimental study of the performance of piezoelectric transducers for power production from a small-scale thermoacoustic engine is presented. Four piezoelectric samples are identified and characterized. These samples are tested on a variable acoustic driver and electrical power produced is measured. Finally, the samples are tested on four experimental thermoacoustic engines to verify the results from the acoustic setup. The maximum power produced is 177 μW from a closed thermoacoustic engine coupled to a 15mm PZT disk.

scholarly journals Experimental Characterization of Fault-Tolerant Circuits in Small-Scale Quantum Processors

IEEE Access ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
Rosie Cane ◽  
Daryus Chandra ◽  
Soon Xin Ng ◽  
Lajos Hanzo
Keyword(s):  
Fault Tolerant ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Experimental Characterization
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