Experimental evaluation of a low temperature and low pressure turbine

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The potential benefits from saving energy have driven most industrial processingfacilities to pay more attention to reducing energy wastage. Becausethe industrial sector is the largest user of electricity in South Africa (37.7% ofthe generated electricity capacity), the application of waste heat recovery andutilisation (WHR&U) systems in this sector could lead to significant energysavings, a reduction in production costs and an increase in the efficiency ofindustrial processes. Turbines are critical components of WHR&U systems,and the choice of an efficient and low cost turbine is crucial for their successfulimplementation. The aim of this thesis project is therefore to validate theuse of a turbine for application in a low grade energy WHR&U system. Anexperimental turbine kit (Infinity Turbine ITmini) was acquired, assembledand tested in a specially designed and built air test bench. The test data wasused to characterise the turbine for low temperature (less than 120 Celsius)and pressure (less than 10 bar) conditions. A radial inflow turbine rotor wasdesigned, manufactured and then tested with the same test bench, and itsperformance characteristics determined. In comparison with the ITmini rotor,the as-designed and manufactured rotor achieved a marginally better performancefor the same test pressure ratio range. The as-designed turbine rotorperformance characteristics for air were then used to scale the turbine for arefrigerant-123 application. Future work should entail integrating the turbinewith a WHR&U system, and experimentally determining the system's performancecharacteristics.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University