Preliminary Design and Performance Estimation of Radial Inflow Turbines: An Automated Approach

Abstract

A comprehensive one-dimensional meanline design approach for radial inflow turbines is described in the present work. An original code was developed in Python that takes a novel approach to the automatic selection of feasible machines based on pre-defined performance or geometry characteristics for a given application. It comprises a brute-force search algorithm that traverses the entire search space based on key non-dimensional parameters and rotational speed. In this study, an in-depth analysis and subsequent implementation of relevant loss models as well as selection criteria for radial inflow turbines is addressed. Comparison with previously published designs, as well as other available codes, showed good agreement. Sample (real and theoretical) test cases were trialed and results showed good agreement when compared to other available codes. The presented approach was found to be valid and the model was found to be a useful tool with regards to the preliminary design and performance estimation of radial inflow turbines, enabling its integration with other thermodynamic cycle analysis and three-dimensional blade design codes.

Off-design performance comparison of an organic Rankine cycle under different control strategies

“…Friction loss L f is caused by organic fluid leaks between the back plate and the rotor [18]. Tip Clearance Loss L y means the loss caused by the radial and axial clearances [18], and the exit energy loss L e is caused by the kinetic energy discharged from a radial inflow turbine.…”

“…Tip Clearance Loss L y means the loss caused by the radial and axial clearances [18], and the exit energy loss L e is caused by the kinetic energy discharged from a radial inflow turbine.…”

Parametric analysis and optimization of a small-scale radial turbine for Organic Rankine Cycle

“…In addition, each case was further compared with two commercial radial turbine design software as RITAL [43] and RADTURB [44] from the literature. The turbine design parameters for both cases [40,42] are listed in Table 3 and are set as the inputs to the mean-line code and the results are shown in Table 4.…”

Modelagem de uma turbina radial para o ciclo de Rankine orgânico pelo método da linha média

“…Ela se baseia nos seguintes valores de entrada fixados (e seus intervalos): temperatura ( 1 = 400 − 500 K) e pressão de estagnação na entrada ( 1 = 200 − 3500 kPa), razão de pressão de estagnação para estática entre a entrada e saída ( = 2 − 15), respectivamente, rotação ( = 20000 − 70000 rpm), coeficiente de carga (Ψ = 0,8 − 2,4), coeficiente de fluxo (φ = 0,2-0,5), ângulo do vetor velocidade absoluta em relação à linha meridional na saída do rotor ( 5 = 0°), razão entre o raio da raiz da pá na saída e o raio da entrada do rotor ( 5ℎ 4 ⁄ = 0,2), razão entre os raios de entrada e saída do estator ( 2 3 ⁄ = 1,2) e vazão mássica (̇= 0,2 − 1,8 kg/s), além da razão entre os raios da voluta e da entrada do bocal ( 1 2 ⁄ = 1,2), descrito por Paltrinieri (2014). A sequência de cálculo é iniciada após uma estimativa inicial para a eficiência total-estática da turbina.…”