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T=331C
15
10
Torque
sensor 5
psupply =0.8 baro
0
Fig. 3. Test bench for mechanical and electrical 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
Speed (rpm) x 103
characterisation of the turbine. The turbine drives a
generator mounted on a custom-made torque sensor.
Fig. 5. Total efficiency of turbine and generator at
different air supply temperatures.
50
50
T=21C
40 T=279 C T=21 C
Mechanical power (W)
40 T=279 C
T=331 C
Electrical power (W)
30 T=331 C
30
20
20
10
10
psupply =0.8 baro
psupply =0.8 baro
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 0
Speed (rpm) x 103 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
Speed (rpm) x 103
Fig. 4. Mechanical power generated by the turbine Fig. 6. Electrical power generated by the turbine at
at different air supply temperatures. different air supply temperatures.
25
on special high-speed radial ball bearings (Timken
T=21C super precision bearings DR55B2L and DR01B2L).
20 T=279C The compressor rotor is made from stainless steel
by a combination of turning and die-sinking EDM.
Total efficiency (%)
T=331C
1.6
Extrapolated: 250 000 rpm
1.5
Pressure ratio
1.4
1.3
Figure 10 shows the extrapolated characteristic at To test the compressor and turbine in a complete
250,000 rpm based on the combined data of the four Brayton cycle, both will be mounted on a common
measurements at low speed. The close match of the shaft. Initially, the air coming from the compressor
extrapolated values proves the validity of the scale will be heated externally before being sent to the
laws and the corresponding correction and turbine. Later, a combustion chamber will be
extrapolation techniques. The pressure ratio is low developed and added.
enough to rule out compressibility effects. The To increase the pressure ratio and the overall
extrapolated pressure ratio (1.63) is lower than the efficiency of the Brayton cycle, multiple-stage
theoretical design value (1.8), which means that the designs are envisaged for compressor and turbine.
losses are higher than estimated. Higher internal
leakage and higher viscous friction can explain these ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
higher losses. Internal leakage can increase due to This research is sponsored by the Belgian Federal
the relatively lower accuracy at which miniature Science Policy Office, Interuniversity Poles of
parts can be made. The viscous friction increases Attraction programme (IAP5/06: AMS). The authors
with miniaturisation due to decreasing Reynolds assume the scientific responsibility of this paper.
numbers.
REFERENCES
VII. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE [1] J. Peirs, D. Reynaerts, F. Verplaetsen, M.
WORK Poesen, P. Renier, CD-ROM Proc. Eurosensors
First prototypes of two key components for a XVI (2002), pp. 790-793.
miniature gas turbine have been built and tested: a [2] J. Peirs, D. Reynaerts, F. Verplaetsen, M.
compressor and a turbine. At the moment, the Poesen, P. Renier, J. Micromech. Microeng., 13,
performance of both turbine and compressor is no. 4 (2003), pp. S190-S195.
clearly limited by the maximal speed that can be [3] A. H. Epstein, S. A. Jacobson, J. Protz, L. G.
reached. Therefore, the first goal is to increase both Frchette, Proc. ISROMAC-8 (2000).
turbine and compressor speed. An important [4] S. Kang, S.-J. J. Lee, F.B. Prinz, ABB review, 2
improvement will be the dynamical balancing of the (2001) pp. 54-62.
rotors. Also air bearings are studied to attain higher [5] K. Isomura, M. Murayama, H. Yamaguchi, et
speeds and reduce wear. al., Tech. Digest Power MEMS 2002, pp. 32-35.
Secondly, the compressor and turbine will be [6] E. Matsuo, H. Yoshiki, T. Nagashima, C. Kato,
redesigned to match each other's characteristics and Tech. Digest Power MEMS 2002, pp. 36-39.
increase their efficiency. [7] A.J. Stepanoff, Turboblowers, Wiley, p. 90,
1955.