Session: 06-12 Pressure gain combustion II

Submission Number: 177175

Design and Validation of Conical Bladeless Turbines for Low Supersonic Flows 

Bladeless power extraction offers a novel approach for harvesting energy from supersonic flows by exploiting pressure gradients generated through shock and expansion waves. Understanding these high-speed interactions over contoured surfaces is critical for aerodynamic performance and power recovery applications.

The present study investigates two- and three-dimensional wavy geometries at low supersonic conditions to characterize the flow physics and assess turbine performance. Steady computational simulations were performed in Metacomp iCFD++, and validated through experiments in a Mach 1.6 calibrated cold-flow wind tunnel. The 2D test article consists of a flat plate followed by a sinusoidal section of variable amplitude, while the 3D geometry adopts a conical, helically twisted wave profile, designed to generate torque through asymmetric pressure loading.

Wind tunnel tests were conducted across varying stagnation pressures to evaluate the effects of Reynolds number and mass flow on separation and power generation. Oil-flow visualization and Schlieren were used to quantify the 2D flow behavior. For 3D, a dedicated dynometer setup was used, capable of absorbing up to 3 kW at 60,000 RPM. The results from the 3D geometry indicate an electrical power output of approximately 60 W when exposed to a Mach 1.6 free jet for a diameter of about 3 cm at 37,500 RPM. Finally, the CFD and experiment are compared to each other. This work represents the first experimental characterization of the bladeless turbine concept and provides a framework for future compact energy-recovery systems operating in supersonic environments.

Presenting Author: Eduardo Leite De Moraes North Carolina State University

Presenting Author Biography: Eduardo Leite de Moraes is a research engineer working with the BEFAST research group at North Carolina State University after having graduated with a masters degree in 2025. Eduardo previously worked for the National Research Council of Canada where his passion for research solidified. His areas of interest include the areas of propulsion and systems testing and integration.

Authors:

Eduardo Leite De Moraes North Carolina State University
Alessandro Montanari Sapienza University of Rome
Lucas Nicol North Carolina State University
Hadie Sabbah North Carolina State University
James Braun North Carolina State University