Experimental turbine
 

In college a few years ago, we had to come up with / engineer the most efficient electricity creating energy plant. We ended up building a 12inch tube and used combustion to spin a small turbine, connected to a shaft which spun an electric morot; creating around 950watts of energy. In this experiment we used Propane and Oxygen tanks. We, by far did not use much propane/oxygen to create this amount of power. The only drawbacks were the heat created (EXTREME) and the bursting startup flame (pretty cool).

I am thinking about trying this out;
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5.../turbine-1.gif

Instead of powering an electric engine, I could power a fan... I can built it and bring it to the lab eventually, maybe I can achieve around 1500 to 3000 watts with a good compressing O/P shaft...

RE: Experimental turbine
 

How do you keep the combustion chamber from melting? Active cooling? What's the max temp?

RE: Experimental turbine
 

how do you cool and lubricate the bearings ?

RE: Experimental turbine
 

I don´t think the AMA or other authorities will be too happy of transporting O² bottles in modeljets......:D

Regards,
Gerald

RE: Experimental turbine
 

This is just a very gross draft of the actual engine;

Cooling;
With a mix of approx 2:1 (oxy:propane), heat is directly proportional to the work (kjules). So the more power produced, the more liquid needed. We went with a 2:1 ratio for coolant vs combustion chamber volume.

I was just thinking about this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...8/turbine2.jpg

The rib patterned rad could also act as a stator...

RE: Experimental turbine
 

Have a fire extinghuisher to hand..:)...like i allways do..[:@]..:)

RE: Experimental turbine
 

As for bearings, I could use 0W50 oil going through a small pump (2-5 psi depending on RPM). Havent thought that far ahead yet lol... I guess im going back to the drawing board...

I'll try to build it this weekend... Does anyone know where I can find high compression turbines? THanks

RE: Experimental turbine
 

Should we call the ambulance now?[X(]

RE: Experimental turbine
 

come on guys help this guy dream,,you never know it might be the next RC jet engine???

RE: Experimental turbine
 

I agree that we should not belittle any experimentation and that this guy should be encouraged to experiment, but I doubt this particular idea will yield anything useful for the masses. I get a feeling that the amount of propane required for a ten minute flight will be like the old JPX days (with a very heavy tank) and then you have the dangers of pure LO2 and another heavy tank. Seems an order of magnitude easier and more practical to fly one of our existing turbines, not to even mention the safety issues of LOX!!!

RE: Experimental turbine
 

true but dont down the guy

RE: Experimental turbine
 

No for sure..;)... but sprinkle a bit more realism on this..;)

RE: Experimental turbine
 

Just make sure to get some Video of it and post it back here.

Gene

RE: Experimental turbine
 

fine the guy is nuts :D

RE: Experimental turbine
 

they said the same thing about Frank Whittle and Robart Goddard.....................

Jackjet