Analysis of a Bladeless Steam Turbine for Use in a Domestic Combined Heat and Power System
Analysis of a bladeless steam turbine for use in a domestic combined heat and power system
Peter Burton
Edinburgh Napier university
Abstract
This report analyses the suitability of a bladeless ‘Tesla’ type steam turbine to determine its merit for use in a domestic combined heat and power system. A physical prototype was developed and built so that cost and performance data could be determined. With this done, a cost analysis was prepared to evaluate its performance when integrated into a theoretical Rankine cycle CHP system. The performance of the system was then compared with that of other CHP systems currently on the market. It was determined that the capital cost of the system was much lower that other systems however its efficiency was far lower.
Contents Abstract 1 Contents 2 Table of figures 4 Introduction 5 Literature review 7 Background of steam 7 The impulse steam turbine 8 Rankine cycle 9 Micro Turbines 10 Impulse type design 10 Radial type design 12 Bladeless turbine 13 Combined Heat and Power 15 Micro CHP 16 Domestic CHP 17 Gas CHP 17 Stirling engines 17 Biomass CHP 17 Design 18 Steam engine selection 18 Bladeless turbine design 20 Fluid to disk power transfer 22 Working fluid 23 Development 23 Sizing of disks 23 Disk number and spacing 24 Bearings 25 Disk holes 26 Exhaust ports 27 Stepped spacers 27 Inlet nozzle 28 CAD in design process 28 Testing 29 Aim 29 Measuring power output 29 Speed measurement 31 Test rig 31 Air supply 31 Dynamometer 32 Method 32 Design variations 33 Results 33 Discussion 36 Cost analysis of turbine in CHP system 36 Heat requirement 38 Boiler design 38 Heat exchangers 40 Turbine cost 41 Providing a useful electrical output 42 Total cost 43 Calculations 43 Comparison with competing systems 44 Biomass Stirling CHP 44 Product lifecycle analysis 45 Installation cost 45 Using the turbine with a solar system 45
Peter Burton
Edinburgh Napier university
Abstract
This report analyses the suitability of a bladeless ‘Tesla’ type steam turbine to determine its merit for use in a domestic combined heat and power system. A physical prototype was developed and built so that cost and performance data could be determined. With this done, a cost analysis was prepared to evaluate its performance when integrated into a theoretical Rankine cycle CHP system. The performance of the system was then compared with that of other CHP systems currently on the market. It was determined that the capital cost of the system was much lower that other systems however its efficiency was far lower.
Contents Abstract 1 Contents 2 Table of figures 4 Introduction 5 Literature review 7 Background of steam 7 The impulse steam turbine 8 Rankine cycle 9 Micro Turbines 10 Impulse type design 10 Radial type design 12 Bladeless turbine 13 Combined Heat and Power 15 Micro CHP 16 Domestic CHP 17 Gas CHP 17 Stirling engines 17 Biomass CHP 17 Design 18 Steam engine selection 18 Bladeless turbine design 20 Fluid to disk power transfer 22 Working fluid 23 Development 23 Sizing of disks 23 Disk number and spacing 24 Bearings 25 Disk holes 26 Exhaust ports 27 Stepped spacers 27 Inlet nozzle 28 CAD in design process 28 Testing 29 Aim 29 Measuring power output 29 Speed measurement 31 Test rig 31 Air supply 31 Dynamometer 32 Method 32 Design variations 33 Results 33 Discussion 36 Cost analysis of turbine in CHP system 36 Heat requirement 38 Boiler design 38 Heat exchangers 40 Turbine cost 41 Providing a useful electrical output 42 Total cost 43 Calculations 43 Comparison with competing systems 44 Biomass Stirling CHP 44 Product lifecycle analysis 45 Installation cost 45 Using the turbine with a solar system 45
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