An experimental study is presented which considers the flow structure in the vaneless volute of a radial inflow turbine. The data show evidence of significant secondary flows around the volute. The volute tested generated a uniform ‘free vortex’ type structure and produced a uniform mass flow distribution around the periphery of the rotor. The flow within the volute was turbulent although this did not appear to have a detrimental effect on the overall performance of the volute. However, the turbine performance appears to be insensitive to variations in the inlet conditions in the axial direction.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
KhalilI. M.TabakoffW.HamedA.Losses in radial inflow turbines. Trans. ASME, J. Fluids Engng, September 1976, 98, 364–373.
2.
TabakoffW.SheoranY.KrollK.Flow measurements in a turbine scroll. Trans. ASME, J. Fluid Engng, September 1980, 102, 290–295.
3.
TabakoffW.VittalB. V R.WoodB.Three-dimensional flow measurements in a turbine scroll. Trans. ASME, J. Engng Gas Turbines and Power, April 1984, 106, 516–522.
4.
ErogluH.TabakoffW.LDV measurements of turbulent stresses in radial turbine guide vanes. ASME paper 90-GT-75, 1990.
5.
HamedA.BaskharoneE.TabakoffW.A flow study in a radial inflow turbine scroll nozzle assembly. Trans. ASME, J. Fluids Engng, March 1978, 100, 31–36.
6.
SchodlR.A laser dual-beam method for flow measurements in turbomachines. ASME paper 74-GT-157, 1974.
7.
DurstF.MellingA.WhitelawJ. H.Principles and practice of laser Doppler anemometry, 1982 (Academic Press, London).
8.
AliasB. N.An experimental and theoretical investigation of the design of single entry radial inflow turbocharger turbine volutes. PhD thesis, University of Bath, 1990.
