A Common Debate: Axial or Radial Turbine?

Comparison of efficiency against power output for axial flow and radial inflow turbine configuration

The question always remains, which is better: axial or radial? But with that question are sub questions: Which application? Which fluid? What results are you looking for exactly?

In automobiles for waste heat recovery, we believe that radial inflow turbines are more suited for use. Here’s why:

• Radial inflow turbines are highly efficient at very low power output with efficiency as high as 90%.

• The pressure ratio in Radial stages used for ORC turbines are very high and working temperatures are very low.

• The volume flow rates are high relative to steam cycles.

This month and next month we are hosting our brand new turbomachinery course on Design of Waste Heat Recovery Systems scheduled for February 17-21 in Bangalore, India and March 3-7 in Boston, USA. We dive deeper into these results and more. Why not join us?