Recent radial turbine research at the NASA Lewis Research Center.

The high efficiencies of small radial turbines have led to their application in space power systems and numerous APU and shaft power engines. Experimental and analytical work associated with these systems has included examination of blade shroud clearance, blade loading, and exit diffuser design. Results indicate high efficiency over a wide range of specific speed and also insensitivity to clearance and blade loading in the radial part of the rotor. The exit diffuser investigation indicated that a conventional conical outer wall may not provide the velocity variation consistent with minimum overall diffuser loss. A list of recently published NASA radial turbine reports is included.Copyright © 1972 by ASME