Study on Flow Characteristics of Helium Turboexpander with a Novel Intake Structure

The cylindrical volute intake structure possesses some advantages including convenient processing, installation & uninstallation and high machining efficiency. helium turboexpander with this novel in a superconducting cryogenic device is investigated deeply study. Based on the established mathematical model corresponding numerical computation methods, whole flow passage internal of numerically simulated. And then distribution characteristics total pressure, static temperature, relative velocity enthalpy volute, nozzle, impeller diffuser are explored, loss mechanism analyzed. results indicate that has obvious pre-rotation effect inlet field little loss. In addition, expansion downstream components nozzle obvious, changes uniformly. overall efficiency up to 84.8%, which indicates it reasonable used as turboexpander.