Improving Turbine Performance by Use of CFD

Abstract

The design and testing of a small mixed flow turbine, which is part of the air-conditioning system of an aircraft, are described. The turbine has an expansion ratio of approximately 3:1 at a reduced mass flow rate of 0.5kg/s and a total-to-total isentropic efficiency very close to 90%, including the inlet scroll. The design methodology that was used is described and discussed. The experimental set up and the experimental results are also presented and the latter are compared to the theoretical calculations. Explanations are provided for the efficiency improvement that was achieved.