Thermo-Fluid Dynamic Design Study of Single and Double-Inflow Radial and Single-Stage Axial Steam Turbines for Open-Cycle Thermal Energy Conversion Net Power-Producing Experiment Facility in Hawaii

Abstract

The results of the study of the optimum thermo-fluid dynamic design concept are presented for turbine units operating within the open-cycle ocean thermal energy conversion (OC-OTEC) systems. The concept is applied to the first OC-OTEC net power producing experiment (NPPE) facility to be installed at Hawaii’s Natural Energy Laboratory. Detailed efficiency and performance calculations were performed for the radial turbine design concept with single and double-inflow arrangements. To complete the study, the calculation results for a single-stage axial steam turbine design are also presented. In contrast to the axial flow design with a relatively low unit efficiency, higher efficiency was achieved for single-inflow turbines. Highest efficiency was calculated for a double-inflow radial design, which opens new perspectives for energy generation from OC-OTEC systems.

Row-by-row off-design performance calculation method for turbines

“…The coefficients a, b are functions of the cascade characteristic y described by Zehner. 18 Once the off-design primary loss coefficient has been calculated, the row efficiency is calculated by considering the other individual losses such as secondary and clearance losses (see Schobeiri, 8 Zehner 18 ):…”

A New Method for the Prediction of Compressor Performance Maps Using One-Dimensional Row-by-Row Analysis

“…The row-by-row flow analysis method presented in this paper is equally applicable to axial and radial turbines and compressors, as reported by Schobeiri (1990aSchobeiri ( , 1990bSchobeiri ( , and 1992a, and Schobeiri and Abouelkheir (1992b). This method is based on a one-dimensional calculation of the compression process using a set of dimensionless stage characteristics.…”

“…This method is based on a one-dimensional calculation of the compression process using a set of dimensionless stage characteristics. These stage characteristics, along with a comprehensive loss correlation developed by Schobeiri (1987Schobeiri ( , 1994 describe the design and off-design behavior of the stage.…”

Conceptual design of an open-cycle ocean thermal energy conversion net power-producing experiment (OC-OTEC NPPE)

“…Details of the two designs a r e contained in two Phase I design reports (MTI 1989;Fong, Masutani, and Neil1 1989), which were reviewed by the turbine task t e a m , the turbine consultants, and T. Schobeiri (1989). The turbine team and consultants m e t at SERI in July 1989 for a final evaluation and selection.…”