Experimental Research of Thermal-Flow and Vibration Characteristics of a 1 Kw ORC Microturbine
1
Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Turbine Dynamics and Diagnostics,
Fiszera 14, 80-231 Gdansk, Poland
Publication date: 2026-03-11
Acta Mechanica et Automatica 2026;20(1)
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
This paper discusses the experimental research findings on a high-speed microturbine in an ORC system using the low-boiling fluid HFE-7100. The microturbine prototype features a hermetic design and was developed using oil-free technology, incorporating gas bearings powered by a low-boiling fluid. One of the main objectives of the study was to determine the thermodynamic parameter ranges within which the microturbogenerator could operate correctly. Tests of the microturbine were conducted within a rotational speed range of 10,000 rpm to approximately 75,000 rpm, with receiver loads ranging from 200 We to 2,000 We. The power of the heat source and the flow rate of the HFE-7100 working fluid ranged from 12 to 20 kWt and 30 to 60 g/s, respectively. The chosen range of heat source power was deliberate and simulated the actual operating conditions of domestic boilers. In addition to meas-urements of thermal, flow, and energy parameters, vibration measurements of the turbogenerator were carried out to assess the dynamic state of the machine. The study found that for each power level of the heat source, the optimum generator load was de-termined at which the electrical output of the system reached its maximum. The work includes the electrical and dynamic character-istics of the high-speed microturbogenerator.
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| eISSN: | 2300-5319 |
| ISSN: | 1898-4088 |
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