Multi-parameter experimental study of a tesla turbine applied to an organic Rankine cycle system for low-grade heat utilisation

IF 9.9 1区工程技术 Q1 ENERGY & FUELS

Energy Conversion and Management Pub Date : 2025-04-23 DOI:10.1016/j.enconman.2025.119824

Shiyang Teng , Liushuai Li , Chunjie Yan , Dou An , Yang Zhao , Huan Xi

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Abstract

In response to the increasing demand for energy efficiency enhancement, the exploitation of low-grade thermal energy through Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems has emerged as a crucial strategy for sustainable energy recovery. However, conventional expanders face limitations in terms of cost-effectiveness and efficiency optimization. This study presents a comprehensive experimental investigation into the performance characteristics of a Tesla turbine, an innovative bladeless expander, integrated within an ORC system operating under low-grade thermal conditions (90–130 °C). A prototype miniature ORC system incorporating a Tesla turbine-generator assembly was developed to systematically evaluate the turbine’s isentropic efficiency, its dynamic interactions with system parameters, and associated mechanical losses. Through a series of controlled experiments, key operational parameters including heat source temperature, pump speed (750–1170 RPM), and load current (0.4–1.9 A) were systematically varied to analyze the isentropic efficiency, power output, and pressure ratio relationships. The experimental results demonstrate that the Tesla turbine achieves a remarkable peak isentropic efficiency of 62.28 % and generates a maximum output power of 31.76 W under the tested conditions, with comprehensive analysis of the system’s heat absorption characteristics. This research represents the first multi-parameter experimental validation of a Tesla turbine in an ORC system, establishing its viability for low-grade heat recovery applications. The findings provide valuable insights for the development of scalable solutions in distributed energy systems and industrial waste heat recovery implementations.

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特斯拉涡轮应用于有机朗肯循环系统的多参数实验研究

为了应对日益增长的能源效率提高需求，通过有机朗肯循环（ORC）系统开发低品位热能已成为可持续能源回收的关键策略。然而，传统的膨胀器在成本效益和效率优化方面面临局限性。本研究对特斯拉涡轮的性能特征进行了全面的实验研究，特斯拉涡轮是一种创新的无叶片膨胀器，集成在ORC系统中，在低等级热条件下（90-130°C）运行。开发了一个包含特斯拉涡轮发电机组件的原型微型ORC系统，以系统地评估涡轮机的等熵效率、与系统参数的动态相互作用以及相关的机械损失。通过一系列的控制实验，系统地改变了热源温度、泵转速（750 ~ 1170 RPM）和负载电流（0.4 ~ 1.9 a）等关键运行参数，分析了等熵效率、功率输出和压比之间的关系。实验结果表明，在测试条件下，特斯拉涡轮的峰值等熵效率达到了62.28%，最大输出功率为31.76 W，并对系统的吸热特性进行了综合分析。该研究代表了特斯拉涡轮在ORC系统中的首次多参数实验验证，确定了其在低品位热回收应用中的可行性。研究结果为分布式能源系统和工业废热回收实施中可扩展解决方案的开发提供了有价值的见解。

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来源期刊

Energy Conversion and Management 工程技术-力学

CiteScore

19.00

自引率

11.50%

发文量

1304

审稿时长

17 days

期刊介绍： The journal Energy Conversion and Management provides a forum for publishing original contributions and comprehensive technical review articles of interdisciplinary and original research on all important energy topics. The topics considered include energy generation, utilization, conversion, storage, transmission, conservation, management and sustainability. These topics typically involve various types of energy such as mechanical, thermal, nuclear, chemical, electromagnetic, magnetic and electric. These energy types cover all known energy resources, including renewable resources (e.g., solar, bio, hydro, wind, geothermal and ocean energy), fossil fuels and nuclear resources.