Klingl, Stefan; Lecheler, Stefan; Pfitzner, Michael. (2019). Experimental, numerical and theoretical investigations of Tesla turbines. Sustainable Polyenergy Generation and Harvesting Conference ans Exhibition (2019, Savona).

Abstract

We use analytical, numerical and experimental methods to characterize the laminar flow inside a Tesla turbine rotor gap. A comparison based on one particular set of operating conditions mutually validates the three approaches. The simplicity of the analytical flow model allows for a cost efficient optimization of the underlying turbine parameters. Performance charts exhibit general trends and serve as a guide for preliminary turbine design and optimization. In terms of the ratio of half the gap width to inlet radius and the ratio of outlet- to inlet radius, the designer of a tesla turbine has to find a compromise between optimal efficiency and optimal power output.