Performance analysis of a low-power tangential flow turbine with rotary channel

A tangential flow prototype turbine with a rotating channel containing five optimized deflectors is presented. This atypical turbine configuration may be useful for application in the low n(s) high d(s) region of the Balje chart, where conventional turbines offer very poor performances. A 70 kW maximum broke power, pressured-air test rig has been used for the analysis of operating characteristics, such as pressure, temperature, flow rate, and broke power. An electronic data acquisition system for automated measurement management was employed. An experimental campaign was carried out to identify the distribution of the pressure in the rotary ducts of the turbine. The results indicate the presence of a pressure gradient in the immediate vicinity of the inlet jet that is strongly attenuated when the ducts are not directly in contact with the jet.