Experimental investigation on overall performance of a millimeter-scale radial turbine for micro gas turbine

As a major component and work unit of micro gas turbine, the performance of micro turbine directly determines the realizability of micro gas turbine. In order to explore the feasibility, to obtain the performance, and to verify the design results of a micro radial turbine, this paper mainly presents the investigation on overall performance of a micro radial turbine with 10 mm diameter for 50W-class micro gas turbine by the cold model test. Firstly, the aerodynamic performance test platform for high speed micro radial turbine was exhibited. Then, the feasibility and overall performance test of micro radial turbine was carried out. At present, the rotational speed of micro radial turbine has achieved at 359,900 rpm by using hydrostatic gas bearing, which is approximately 80% rotational speed of the design point in cold model test. Thirdly, based on the experimental data and numerical simulation, the operating performance and overall performance of the micro gas turbine were analyzed and discussed in details. The final results indicate that the feasibility of the millimeter-scale micro radial turbine with 10 mm diameter has partly been proven at present level and the micro radial turbine system need to be further improved. These works not only obtain the some valuable experimental data, but also accumulate experience of micro radial turbine design. And this paper not only exhibits the test and design results as engineering reference, but also presents the operation problems and its potential solutions of ultra-high rotational speed experiment and performance test of a micro radial turbine. •Performance test platform for high speed micro radial turbine was set up.•Operating and overall performance test of micro radial turbine was carried out.•Rotational speed of micro radial turbine has achieved at 359,900 r/min.•Feasibility of micro radial turbine with 10 mm diameter has partly been proven.•Problems and solutions can be referenced for other micro turbine designer.