One-dimensional and three-dimensional numerical optimization and comparison of single-stage supersonic and dual-stage transonic radial inflow turbines for the ORC

K. Rahbar*, S. Mahmoud, R. K. Al-Dadah, N. Moazami

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Organic Rankine cycle is one of the most efficient technologies that can utilize low-to-medium grade heat sources and generate useful power. Radial inflow turbine (RIT) is the key component of the ORC and its efficiency has significant effect on the overall cycle performance. Obtaining high cycle thermal efficiency requires large pressure difference (expansion ratio) across the cycle. With the low speed of sound of organic fluids and the high expansion ratios, RIT becomes chocked with supersonic flow regime and shock waves that deteriorate the turbine efficiency and hence reduce the cycle performance. Therefore, developing highly efficient RIT that can both preserve the high expansion ratio requirements of the ORC and maintain the turbine isentropic efficiency is crucial. This paper proposed the complete 1-D and 3D numerical optimization of two different configurations as singlestage supersonic and dual-stage transonic RITs. Initially, the integrated 1-D modelling of the ORC with RIT coupled with genetic algorithm optimization technique was conducted to maximize the cycle thermal efficiency. The results showed that the dual-stage RIT exhibited considerably higher turbine efficiency in both stages and hence higher cycle efficiency compared to the single-stage supersonic one. Both configurations were further optimized using the 3-D CFD optimization procedure to maximize the turbine efficiency. The CFD results showed that the optimization of each stage individually was successful as the turbine performance increased significantly. The results revealed that the optimizations were more effective for the dual-stage transonic turbine compared to the single-stage supersonic due to the presence of shock waves. Comparison of the optimized singlestage supersonic RIT and complete dual-stage transonic RIT showed that about 15.7%, 10.63kW and 16.08% higher turbine isentropic efficiency, turbine power and cycle thermal efficiency were achieved respectively with the latter configuration.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationASME 2016 Power Conference collocated with the ASME 2016 10th International Conference on Energy Sustainability and the ASME 2016 14th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Number of pages15
ISBN (Electronic)978-0-7918-5021-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2016
EventASME 2016 Power Conference, POWER 2016, collocated with the ASME 2016 10th International Conference on Energy Sustainability and the ASME 2016 14th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology - Charlotte, United States
Duration: 26 Jun 201630 Jun 2016

Publication series

NameASME Power Conference (POWER)
Volume2016-January

Conference

ConferenceASME 2016 Power Conference, POWER 2016, collocated with the ASME 2016 10th International Conference on Energy Sustainability and the ASME 2016 14th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityCharlotte
Period26/06/1630/06/16

Keywords

  • CFD
  • Dual-stage
  • Genetic algorithm optimization
  • Organic Rankine cycle
  • Radial turbine
  • Supersonic

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology

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