Technological difficulties faced in making a microturbine?

  • Thread starter Thread starter sid_galt
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Difficulties
AI Thread Summary
Microturbines face significant technological challenges primarily due to issues with aerodynamics, which do not scale effectively as size decreases. As the turbine size shrinks, the required shaft speed increases, complicating both analysis and manufacturing. The heat absorption of turbine materials also presents a limitation, particularly with high-pressure turbine components that are sensitive to temperature extremes. The definition of "micro" varies, with some companies producing small turbine engines that do not fit the micro category. Overall, the complexities of aerodynamics and material limitations hinder the widespread adoption of microturbines.
sid_galt
Messages
502
Reaction score
1
What are the technological difficulties faced in making a microturbine?

What is the main reason due to which are still not in vogue?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Aerodynamics do not scale well. They do to a point. After that, they become very difficult, not only to analyze, but to manufacture. Plus, as size goes down, usually the required shaft speed goes up.
 
Thank you for the reply.

So how do the aerodynamics not scale well? What is the point upto which microturbines do not pose significant tech. challenges?

also does the amount of heat absorbed by the material of the turbine pose a problem?
 
Last edited:
Well, the size becomes an issue WELL before you are considered in the 'micro' scale of things. So it is never going to be an easy thing. How small are you calling a micro turbine anyways? My company deals with small turbine engines, and we are not considered micro by any means.

The HP turbine material is usually the max cycle temp limiting factor. That is the one thing that is going to see the most temperature out of anything in the engine.
 
Thread 'Where is my curb stop?'
My water meter is submerged under water for about 95% of the year. Today I took a photograph of the inside of my water meter box because today is one of the rare days that my water meter is not submerged in water. Here is the photograph that I took of my water meter with the cover on: Here is a photograph I took of my water meter with the cover off: I edited the photograph to draw a red circle around a knob on my water meter. Is that knob that I drew a red circle around my meter...
Back
Top