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Small turbomachinery research

Objetivo

Use of small turbomachine (air processing, turbochargers, and small gas turbines) has been hindered by poor performance. Since highly efficient turbomachines have been demonstrated at larger powers, it can only be surmised that the conventional practice of scaling down designs for small turbomachine is inadequate. It is proposed to improve small turbomachine design, manufacture, and performance by a generic research project, STR. The aim is to develop methodologies for the design of small turbomachine components suitable for a wide range of applications. This highly innovative project also includes a proof of concept phase. The target achievements at improvements of component efficiencies (4 points for the compressor and 3 points for the turbine), a reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 10% and a 12% reduction in engine size for 50 kw power output compared to existing technology.
The main results and conclusions from the STR are as follows:
All six components: axial: (two sets for baseline and two sets for advanced); Radial Baseline (compressor and turbine) and Radial Advanced (compressor and turbine); were designed;
- All components were manufactured;
- Axial turbines were manufactured by machining from solid as well as by casting. Methodologies for advanced casting were developed and put-in-use at PBS;
- Both sets of axial turbines were tested on an actual gas turbine and show improvements beyond expectations;
- A radial test rig was developed capable of testing un-matched radial machines with substantial axial thrust;
- Radial baseline compressor was fully instrumented and tested. The data corroborated inlet/outlet data previously generated by LTS. The date also helped to understand the detail characteristics of the compressor that were previously only assumed;
- Radial advanced turbine was tested and showed efficiency improvements previously not expected;
- Generic research in areas previously un-chartered allowed development of design methodologies that are now well documented to provide designs that show efficiency improvements previously not expected;
- Research lead to innovations that allows use of compact, efficient, and low cost turbomachinery in fuel and air gas compression.

Convocatoria de propuestas

Data not available

Régimen de financiación

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinador

IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE
Aportación de la UE
Sin datos
Dirección
Exhibition Road
SW7 2BX LONDON
Reino Unido

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Enlaces
Coste total
Sin datos

Participantes (6)