Some design characteristics of micro steam turbines for agricultural biomass energy conversion

Abstract

The paper continues the study of reconversion of a 400 kW hot water boiler in a steam generator suitable to valorise the energy content of briquettes and pellets of agricultural biomass. After steam parameters selection (pressure, temperature, mass-flow rate), an overview of main steam machines types (axial, radial, screw, piston engine) is done. Further, a parallel design of most wide-spread ones (Laval, Curtis and radial) were performed, at different rotation speeds, in order to find the best configuration in respect with the flow section dimensions, internal efficiency and power (electrical and thermal) output. The results of the paper could be very useful for the investors in agricultural "waste-toenergy" projects in order to select appropriate technology and equipment.