Investigative Analysis of Radial Inflow Turbine Based on Loss Model for Cryogenic Turboexpander

Abstract

Radial inflow turbine is the main component for a Cryogenic turboexpander. A comprehensive one dimension mean line design approach for radial inflow turbine has been presented here. An original code has been developed in MATLAB 2020b of feasible machine based on Loss model of radial inflow turbine, constrained for a Cryogenic application. In this study implementation of relevant loss model as well as selection criteria for radial inflow turbine is addressed. By varying the different inlet and exit angle, keeping the rotational speed and turbine diameter constant, different relative velocity, the total loss, and total-to-static efficiency has been determined. The results show a good agreement when compared with previously published design. The presented approach is found to be valid, and model will be useful for preliminary design of performance analysis of radial inflow turbine. The developed 3D graph for total-to-static efficiency, and different inlet and outlet blade angle for different number of blades of radial inflow turbine show an improvement of 2% in total-to-static efficiency of RIT for Cryogenic turboexpander.