The design of a test rig and study of the performance and efficiency of a Tesla disc turbine

摘要

A Tesla disc turbine and a flexible test rig have been designed and manufactured, and experimental results are presented. An analysis of the performance and efficiency of the disc turbine is carried out. The design philosophy of the flexible test rig has been explained. Various complementary methods of measurement have been implemented and compared, and several operational experiences have been noted. A new simple method, the angular acceleration method, for measuring output torque and power in a Tesla turbine has been developed. This proved to be a successful method for overcoming the difficulties associated with the determination of very low torque at very high angular speed. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]