Analysis of the turbine blade number towards the micro gas turbines performance

Abstract

Micro gas turbines can be an alternative power plant that can be utilized in rural areas. The micro gas turbine performance utilizes the LPG combustion reaction to produce the high of velocity and pressure of fluid so that the condition is able to drive the alternator for producing electrical energy. This research was conducted to improve the micro gas turbine performance by changing the turbine blades number. The research method is carried out in two steps, among others calculating the turbine blade design and simulating the performance of micro gas turbines with changes in the turbine blades number by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Parameters for calculating turbine blade design among others are fuel characteristics, fluid pressure, fluid temperature, and fluid heat energy. These parameters affect the performance of micro gas turbines, which are shown by the turbine rotating speed and turbine power. The results showed that the turbine blades number as many as 18 pieces were able to produce a fluid velocity of 135.4 m/s and a fluid pressure of 3.21 bar. This condition can produce a turbine rotational speed of 331.26 rpm and turbine power of 139.15 kW. Based on the research results can be concluded that increasing the turbine blades number can influence the micro gas turbines performance.