4,325 research outputs found

    Investigation of micro gas turbine system configurations for compact lightweight applications based on reversible bladeless Tesla machinery

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    Globally, the demand for low-emission, cost-effective, low-noise, lightweight and compact devices is rapidly increasing. In order to meet such market demands on a small scale, microgas turbines (MGTs) could play a crucial role. However, there are many challenges with MGT compatibility with internal combustion engines (e.g., low efficiency, fuel flexibility, light weight-compactness). As part of this study, the focus is on the component basis, where the study examines the Tesla or bladeless turbomachinery in both a compressor and expander configuration. Since little data is available on Tesla compressors/pumps, this study focuses primarily on the bladeless compressor, which is also analyzed as an expander due to its reversibility. The activity started from a 3-kW air Tesla expander prototype available at the University of Genoa. It is examined in compressor mode using a 3D CFD approach and its results are compared to experimental results. The CFD and experiments show good agreement for the pressure, with an error of less than 3% at zero flow condition. Despite the CFD analysis predicting a static efficiency of around 42% (without losses), the experiment did not meet that prediction due to significant leakage flows and other losses. Moreover, using LMS Test Lab software, the acoustic behavior of the Tesla compressor has been analyzed at different speeds and distances, and several aspects are compared with conventional or bladed technologies (same tip speed, same mass flow rate, and same pressure). It has been demonstrated that Tesla technologies are substantially quieter than bladed technologies. To improve Tesla compressor performance, a 3D numerical analysis has been carried out for the rotor only and coupled rotor-stator and volute configurations. The disk gap is optimized by relying on Ekman and Reynolds numbers. Based on the numerical analysis, the disk gap should be 3 times the thickness of the boundary layer with the best Reynolds number 9-11 and Ekman number 1.5-1.65. Moreover, numerical analysis has been performed for 2, 2.5, 3 and 4 diameter ratios in order to optimize the rotor diameter ratio. Higher diameter ratios indicate better performance than lower diameter ratios. Based on a CFD analysis, it has been predicted that at low mass flow rates, greater than 95 % efficiency can be achieved with the optimal disk gap and diameter ratio. In this case, the outlet flow angle would be around 89.9 degree, however, in practice, maintaining almost a tangential flow angle is difficult. In order to improve the performance of Tesla compressors, several stators have been studied. The stator outlet and inlet ratio between 2 and 4 is optimal for stator/diffuser performance. With an optimal rotor and eight stators, CFD analysis predicts a total stator efficiency of >53%; however, with a low number of stators, this efficiency will be somewhat improved. As part of an effort to enhance the performance of the Tesla compressor, a (stator-less) volute design has also been numerically analyzed, which shows better performance in terms of pressure ratio and efficiency than the stator configuration. Compared to a stator configuration, the total to static efficiency is estimated to increase by 3 to 5%. A new reversible Tesla prototype model has been developed using an optimized rotor (optimal disk gap and diameter ratio) and volute configuration for 22 krpm. CFD predicted total to static efficiency of 58% in compressor mode and 66% in expander mode without consideration of system losses. For this new reversible machine, leakage and end wall losses are also analyzed under a variety of conditions, including different end wall gaps and different exit radial clearances (with and without sealing systems). The implementation of the sealing system has resulted in a reduction in leakage, but the amount varies in accordance with the clearance of the radial exit. The end wall power loss varies with end wall gap, but usually ranges between 50 W-60 W for 22 krpm design speed, while power is around 600 W. During this dissertation writing, experimental work on a reversible bladeless machine is in progress. Preliminary results show the pressure ratio is 1.24 and the isentropic efficiency is 31%. Comparing these results with CFD simulations at closed valve conditions shows good agreement in terms of pressure ratio with < 3% error. It is observed that leakage occurs during the first test which passes through the narrow radial clearance of 0.3 mm. As a result of this preliminary investigation, some modifications have been made to the test-rig in order to ensure that good results are achieved with the least amount of leakage. An in-depth study of the reversible Tesla machine (compressor and expander) has shown that such technologies possess several attractive features (reversibility, low noise level, cost effective and operate with any kind of fluid), but are difficult to implement as Tesla envisioned (higher efficiency). Under ideal design conditions, however, such technologies could potentially achieve > 50% efficiency. The use of such technologies can be beneficial in areas where conventional technologies are not practical or less efficient

    Proceedings of SIRM 2023 - The 15th European Conference on Rotordynamics

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    It was our great honor and pleasure to host the SIRM Conference after 2003 and 2011 for the third time in Darmstadt. Rotordynamics covers a huge variety of different applications and challenges which are all in the scope of this conference. The conference was opened with a keynote lecture given by Rainer Nordmann, one of the three founders of SIRM “Schwingungen in rotierenden Maschinen”. In total 53 papers passed our strict review process and were presented. This impressively shows that rotordynamics is relevant as ever. These contributions cover a very wide spectrum of session topics: fluid bearings and seals; air foil bearings; magnetic bearings; rotor blade interaction; rotor fluid interactions; unbalance and balancing; vibrations in turbomachines; vibration control; instability; electrical machines; monitoring, identification and diagnosis; advanced numerical tools and nonlinearities as well as general rotordynamics. The international character of the conference has been significantly enhanced by the Scientific Board since the 14th SIRM resulting on one hand in an expanded Scientific Committee which meanwhile consists of 31 members from 13 different European countries and on the other hand in the new name “European Conference on Rotordynamics”. This new international profile has also been emphasized by participants of the 15th SIRM coming from 17 different countries out of three continents. We experienced a vital discussion and dialogue between industry and academia at the conference where roughly one third of the papers were presented by industry and two thirds by academia being an excellent basis to follow a bidirectional transfer what we call xchange at Technical University of Darmstadt. At this point we also want to give our special thanks to the eleven industry sponsors for their great support of the conference. On behalf of the Darmstadt Local Committee I welcome you to read the papers of the 15th SIRM giving you further insight into the topics and presentations

    Nonlinear Modeling of Power Electronics-based Power Systems for Control Design and Harmonic Studies

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    The massive integration of power electronics devices in the modern electric grid marked a turning point in the concept of stability, power quality and control in power systems. The evolution of the grid toward a converter-dominated network motivates a deep renovation of the classical power system theory developed for machine-dominated networks. The high degree of controllability of power electronics converters, furthermore, paves the way to the investigation of advanced control strategies to enhance the grid stability, resiliency and sustainability. This doctoral dissertation explores four cardinal topics in the field of power electronics-based power systems: dynamic modeling, stability analysis, converters control, and power quality with particular focus on harmonic distortion. In all four research areas, a particular attention is given to the implications of the nonlinearity of the converter models on the power system

    Beam scanning by liquid-crystal biasing in a modified SIW structure

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    A fixed-frequency beam-scanning 1D antenna based on Liquid Crystals (LCs) is designed for application in 2D scanning with lateral alignment. The 2D array environment imposes full decoupling of adjacent 1D antennas, which often conflicts with the LC requirement of DC biasing: the proposed design accommodates both. The LC medium is placed inside a Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) modified to work as a Groove Gap Waveguide, with radiating slots etched on the upper broad wall, that radiates as a Leaky-Wave Antenna (LWA). This allows effective application of the DC bias voltage needed for tuning the LCs. At the same time, the RF field remains laterally confined, enabling the possibility to lay several antennas in parallel and achieve 2D beam scanning. The design is validated by simulation employing the actual properties of a commercial LC medium

    Systemic Circular Economy Solutions for Fiber Reinforced Composites

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    This open access book provides an overview of the work undertaken within the FiberEUse project, which developed solutions enhancing the profitability of composite recycling and reuse in value-added products, with a cross-sectorial approach. Glass and carbon fiber reinforced polymers, or composites, are increasingly used as structural materials in many manufacturing sectors like transport, constructions and energy due to their better lightweight and corrosion resistance compared to metals. However, composite recycling is still a challenge since no significant added value in the recycling and reprocessing of composites is demonstrated. FiberEUse developed innovative solutions and business models towards sustainable Circular Economy solutions for post-use composite-made products. Three strategies are presented, namely mechanical recycling of short fibers, thermal recycling of long fibers and modular car parts design for sustainable disassembly and remanufacturing. The validation of the FiberEUse approach within eight industrial demonstrators shows the potentials towards new Circular Economy value-chains for composite materials

    The Active CryoCubeSat Technology: Active Thermal Control for Small Satellites

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    Modern CubeSats and Small Satellites have advanced in capability to tackle science and technology missions that would usually be reserved for more traditional, large satellites. However, this rapid growth in capability is only possible through the fast-to-production, low-cost, and advanced technology approach used by modern small satellite engineers. Advanced technologies in power generation, energy storage, and high-power density electronics have naturally led to a thermal bottleneck, where CubeSats and Small Satellites can generate more power than they can easily reject. The Active CryoCubeSat (ACCS) is an advanced active thermal control technology (ATC) for Small Satellites and CubeSats, which hopes to help solve this thermal problem. The ACCS technology is based on a two-stage design. An integrated miniature cryocooler forms the first stage, and a single-phase mechanically pumped fluid loop heat exchanger the second. The ACCS leverages advanced 3D manufacturing techniques to integrate the ATC directly into the satellite structure, which helps to improve the performance while simultaneously miniaturizing and simplifying the system. The ACCS system can easily be scaled to mission requirements and can control zonal temperature, bulk thermal rejection, and dynamic heat transfer within a satellite structure. The integrated cryocooler supports cryogenic science payloads such as advanced LWIR electro-optical detectors. The ACCS hopes to enable future advanced CubeSat and Small Satellite missions in earth science, heliophysics, and deep space operations. This dissertation will detail the design, development, and testing of the ACCS system technology

    Application of Deep Learning Methods in Monitoring and Optimization of Electric Power Systems

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    This PhD thesis thoroughly examines the utilization of deep learning techniques as a means to advance the algorithms employed in the monitoring and optimization of electric power systems. The first major contribution of this thesis involves the application of graph neural networks to enhance power system state estimation. The second key aspect of this thesis focuses on utilizing reinforcement learning for dynamic distribution network reconfiguration. The effectiveness of the proposed methods is affirmed through extensive experimentation and simulations.Comment: PhD thesi
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