Design analysis of Tesla micro-turbine operating on a low-boiling medium

This paper presents results of the design analysis of a Tesla bladeless turbine intended for a co-generating micro-power plant of heat capacity 20 kW, which operates in an organic Rankine cycle on a low-boiling medium. Numerical calculations of flow in several Tesla turbine models were performed for a range of design parameters. Results of investigations exhibit interesting features in the distribution of flow parameters within the turbine interdisk space. The calculated flow efficiency of the investigated Tesla turbine models show that the best obtained solutions can be competitive as compared with classical small bladed turbines.