Performance prediction on a partially admitted small axial-type turbine

A performance prediction model is developed for axial-type turbines that operate at partial admission. Losses generated within the turbine are classified into windage loss, expansion loss and mixing loss. This developed loss model is compared with an experimental result when a turbine operates with a rectangular-type nozzle at a partial admission rate from 22% to 37%. The present predicted results show better agreement with the experimental results than with those predicted by other models, as the expansion loss in this model is developed more closely to the real flow situation. If a turbine operates at a very low partial admission rate, a circular-type nozzle is more efficient than a rectangular-type nozzle. In this case, a performance prediction model is developed and an experiment is conducted with the circular-type nozzle. The predicted result is compared with the measured performance, and the developed model is found to be in good agreement with the experimental results. Thus, the developed model could be applied to predict the performance of axial-type turbines that operate at various partial admission rates or with different nozzle shapes.