For solar Rankine cycle combined heat and power systems for residential buildings and other small-scale applications (producing 1–10 kWe), a low manufacturing cost, robust, and durable expander is especially attractive. The Tesla-type turbine design has these desired features. This paper summarizes a theoretical exploration of the performance of a Tesla turbine as the expander in a small-scale Rankine cycle combined heat and power system. A one-dimensional idealized model of momentum transfer in the turbine rotor is presented, which can be used to predict the efficiency of the turbine for typical conditions in these systems. The model adopts a nondimensional formulation that identifies the dimensionless parameters that dictate performance features of the turbine. The model is shown to agree well with experimental performance data obtained in earlier tests of prototype Tesla turbine units. The model is used to explore the performance of this type of turbine for Rankine cycle applications using water as a working fluid. The model indicates that isentropic efficiencies above 0.75 can be achieved if the operating conditions are tailored in an optimal way. The scalability of the turbine design, and the impact of the theoretical model predictions on the development of solar combined heat and power systems are also discussed.
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December 2010
Research Papers
Assessment of Tesla Turbine Performance for Small Scale Rankine Combined Heat and Power Systems
Van P. Carey
Van P. Carey
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of California
, Berkeley, CA 94720-1740
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Van P. Carey
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of California
, Berkeley, CA 94720-1740J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. Dec 2010, 132(12): 122301 (8 pages)
Published Online: September 1, 2010
Article history
Received:
August 27, 2009
Revised:
February 23, 2010
Online:
September 1, 2010
Published:
September 1, 2010
Citation
Carey, V. P. (September 1, 2010). "Assessment of Tesla Turbine Performance for Small Scale Rankine Combined Heat and Power Systems." ASME. J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. December 2010; 132(12): 122301. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4001356
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