Design and Experimental Validation of a Supersonic Concentric Micro Gas Turbine

This paper presents the design and experimental results of a new micro gas turbine architecture exploiting counterflow within a single supersonic rotor. This new architecture, called the supersonic rim-rotor gas turbine (SRGT), uses a single rotating assembly incorporating a central hub, a supersonic turbine rotor, a supersonic compressor rotor, and a rim-rotor. This SRGT architecture can potentially increase engine power density while significantly reducing manufacturing costs. The paper presents the preliminary design of a 5 kW SRGT prototype having an external diameter of 72.5 mm and rotational speed of 125,000 rpm. The proposed aerodynamic design comprises a single stage supersonic axial compressor, with a normal shock in the stator, and a supersonic impulse turbine. A pressure ratio of 2.75 with a mass flow rate of 130 g/s is predicted using a 1D aerodynamic model in steady state. The proposed combustion chamber uses an annular reverse-flow configuration, using hydrogen as fuel. The analytical design of the combustion chamber is based on a 0D model with three zones (primary, secondary, and dilution), and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are used to validate the analytical model. The proposed structural design incorporates a unidirectional carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer rim-rotor, and titanium alloy is used for the other rotating components. An analytical structural model and numerical validation predict structural integrity of the engine at steady-state operation up to 1000 K for the turbine blades. Experimentation has resulted in the overall engine performance evaluation. Experimentation also demonstrated a stable hydrogen flame in the combustion chamber and structural integrity of the engine for at least 30 s of steady-state operation at 1000 K.