Performance Assessment of Bladeless Micro-Expanders Using 3D Numerical Simulation

Abstract

This paper summarizes the development of fully 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis for bladeless air micro expander for 200 W and 3 kW rated power. Modelling of nozzle along with rotor is done using structured mesh. This analysis, for the first time, demonstrates the interaction between nozzle and rotor using compressible flow density-based solver. The Shear Stress Transport (SST) turbulence model is employed to resolve wall effects on the rotor and to determine the shear stress accurately. The results illustrate the flow field inside stator and rotor along with complicated mixing zone between stator and rotor. The comparison of rotor-stator CFD simulation results is done with experiments to preliminary validate the model. The losses in the turbine are discussed with the help of experimental and numerical data.