Assessment of Performance of Tesla Turbine in Water Distribution Systems for Energy Harvesting

Abstract

Abstract This article composes a systematic design methodology to obtain optimal parameters of the Tesla turbine, which is applicable in water distribution systems, faced with the need to supply power for wireless sensors and other components used in smart water networks and the challenges associated with the feasibility of Tesla turbine in a small scale. The optimal geometric model is sought by using a theoretical model relating turbine physical properties and flow conditions to power output by solving Navier–Stokes equations for steady laminar incompressible flow between adjacent disks. The model shows that the proposed design with dimensions and flow conditions relevant to water pipe networks can achieve a power output of 1.55 mW using a 2.5-cm diameter turbine given a pressure difference of 140 Pa. At 70 Pa using a 1-cm diameter turbine, a power output of 0.17 mW can be obtained. This study shows a great potential in application of Tesla turbine for energy harvesting in water distribution systems.