Investigating the Possibility of Using a Tesla Turbine as a Drive Unit for an Automotive Air-Conditioning Compressor Using CFD Modeling

摘要

This paper investigates the possibility of using a Tesla turbine as an alternative air-conditioning compressor drive unit in vehicles as an example rather than the traditional method of linking the compressor rotor to the vehicle engine crankshaft belt or chain. Interest in Tesla turbines has recently gained momentum because of the possibility of obtaining high efficiency in energy conversion, as claimed by the inventor Nikola Tesla. This paper investigates the possibility of driving the air-conditioning compressor using the hydraulic energy available in the engine lubrication oil piping provided by the engine oil pump. The engine oil pressure can be used to drive the Tesla turbine driving the compressor. Tesla turbines, also known as bladeless or boundary layer turbines, were invented in the early twentieth century but were never commercially exploited. Tesla turbines are known for their ease of construction and low erosion rate, because the rotating parts experience no direct impact from fluid-borne abrasive matter. For this research, a software package was used to create the model. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted by varying turbine inlet fluid flow rate, turbine inter-disk spacing, and turbine disk outlet opening diameter. The results are shown in tables and graphs presented in this paper. Selected graphical presentation showing fluid streamlines and the turbine/oil flow physics are included. Results are discussed for the turbine suitability as a drive unit for the air-conditioning compressor. This investigation shows that Tesla turbines are not suitable for automotive air-conditioning compressors when powered by relatively low-pressure engine oil flow rate supplied by the engine oil pump. This investigation also shows that the performance of such machines can be influenced by a number of factors, such as inter-disk spacing, fluid viscosity, and turbine disk opening diameter. Efficiency of Tesla turbine drives can be enhanced by harmoniously matching these factors. Tesla turbines are easy to manufacture and are suitable for energy recovery where high mass flow rate is available for using as turbine driving fluid. Tesla turbines are easy to adapt and can cover a range of flow rate capacities. Using such a system for energy conversion can lower capital equipment costs and improve the turbine lifespan, contributing to sustainable engineering development.