Single-Stage Radial Turbines for Gaseous Substances With High Rotative and Low Specific Speed

The turbine with radial inward flow, long known and in use as a water-power plant (1), is rapidly gaining interest for gaseous energy carriers. Single-stage versions with wheels of shapes well known from aircraft-engine superchargers are now generally accepted in gas and air turbines when, relatively speaking, low mass flow in conjunction with high energy content per weight unit of the working substance characterize the available energy supply. Combining efficiency of 80 per cent and upward with attractive simplicity, this turbine type is bound to conquer its field. At present, aircraft auxiliary-power units represent its predominant application.