Figure 19: Schematic of a Recuperated Gas Turbine Topped by a Four Port Wave Rotor Objectives The goal of this project was to prove the feasibility of a wave rotor in a microturbine to increase the thermal efficiency while simultaneously lowering the cost per kilowatt. The wave rotor uses shock waves induced by hot exhaust gases colliding with fresh air to compress that fresh air for combustion. The researchers established the following project objectives: 1. Modify a cold air test rig to allow combustion and incorporate the wave rotor. Modifications include the addition of a combustion chamber, a fuel delivery system, and exhaust piping. Modify the equipment to withstand temperatures of up to 12000K. 2. Perform computer simulations to develop an optimal design of the wave Perform the following simulations: Vary the rotational of the rotor from 5000 rpm to 10000 rpm. Vary the mass flow rate from 0.2 kilograms per second to 0.35 kilograms per second. Vary the inlet temperature of fresh air from 3000K to 4500K. Vary the inlet pressure of fresh air from 2.5 atmospheres to 3.8 atmospheres. Vary the porting configuration. 3. Fabricate the test rig including the wave Use the best configuration based on the computer simulation. 4. Operate the wave rotor test rig with a goal of enhancing pressure ratio by at least 1.2. 5. Continue the testing of the wave rotor, using the following guidelines: Measure inlet and outlet pressures to obtain the pressure gain in the channel of the wave rotor. Obtain a pressure ratio boost of at least 1.4. Demonstrate the feasibility of the sealing approach, meaning no wear or damage to the rotor or endplates. Measure the temperatures of the wave ports and housing. 6. Propose methods of implementation of the wave rotor to a selected microturbine. 7. Demonstrate that the capital cost can be $800 per kW and that a one percent efficiency increase for a recuperated microturbine is possible by varying wave rotor pressure ratio and/or wave rotor efficiency. Outcomes The researchers enhanced the cold air test rig by adding a fuel delivery system, a combustion chamber, and an exhaust system. They modified all other relevant parts to
Figure 19: Schematic of a Recuperated Gas Turbine Topped by a Four Port Wave Rotor Objectives The goal of this project was to prove the feasibility of a wave rotor in a microturbine to increase the thermal efficiency while simultaneously lowering the cost per kilowatt. The wave rotor uses shock waves induced by hot exhaust gases colliding with fresh air to compress that fresh air for combustion. The researchers established the following project objectives: 1. Modify a cold air test rig to allow combustion and incorporate the wave rotor. Modifications include the addition of a combustion chamber, a fuel delivery system, and exhaust piping. Modify the equipment to withstand temperatures of up to 12000K. 2. Perform computer simulations to develop an optimal design of the wave Perform the following simulations: Vary the rotational of the rotor from 5000 rpm to 10000 rpm. Vary the mass flow rate from 0.2 kilograms per second to 0.35 kilograms per second. Vary the inlet temperature of fresh air from 3000K to 4500K. Vary the inlet pressure of fresh air from 2.5 atmospheres to 3.8 atmospheres. Vary the porting configuration. 3. Fabricate the test rig including the wave Use the best configuration based on the computer simulation. 4. Operate the wave rotor test rig with a goal of enhancing pressure ratio by at least 1.2. 5. Continue the testing of the wave rotor, using the following guidelines: Measure inlet and outlet pressures to obtain the pressure gain in the channel of the wave rotor. Obtain a pressure ratio boost of at least 1.4. Demonstrate the feasibility of the sealing approach, meaning no wear or damage to the rotor or endplates. Measure the temperatures of the wave ports and housing. 6. Propose methods of implementation of the wave rotor to a selected microturbine. 7. Demonstrate that the capital cost can be $800 per kW and that a one percent efficiency increase for a recuperated microturbine is possible by varying wave rotor pressure ratio and/or wave rotor efficiency. Outcomes The researchers enhanced the cold air test rig by adding a fuel delivery system, a combustion chamber, and an exhaust system. They modified all other relevant parts to
CEC-500-2013-028.docx