Numerical Design and Study of a MEMS-Based Micro Turbine

A full three dimensional Navier-Stokes solver elsA developed by ONERA is used to design and study the aerothermodynamics of a MEMS-based micro turbine. This work is performed in the framework of micro turbomachinery project at ONERA. A few millimeter scale micro turbine is operated in a low Reynolds number regime (Re = 5,000∼50,000), which implies a more important influence of skin friction and heat transfer than the conventional large-scale gas turbine. The 2D geometry constraints due to the limitation of fabrication technology also distinguish the aerothermodynamic characteristics of a micro turbine from that of conventional turbomachinery. Thus, for the foundation of aerothermodynamic design of micro turbomachinery, understanding of low Reynolds number effects on the performance is required and then the design of the turbine geometry can be optimized. In this study, aero-thermodynamic effects at low Reynolds number and different stator/rotor configurations are examined with a prescribed wall temperature. Losses due to heat transfer to walls and skin friction are estimated and their effects on the operating performance are discussed. Power delivery to turbine blades is checked and found satisfactory to give the objective design value of more than 100W. The effects of turbine exhaust geometry and the number of blades on turbine performance are also discussed.Copyright © 2005 by ASME