This questioned was posed to in another forum but I'm still hoping to get some feedback.
I am wondering if anyone knows of any references regarding use of a helical flow machinery as a gas turbine. Helical flow compressors (also referred to as side channel blowers and regenerative compressors) are common.
I am curious how well they would perform as a gas or steam turbine. In this case they would operate much like a fluid coupling except the circumferential fluid motion is caused by expansion down a pressure gradient, rather than by an impeller. This circumferential motion should then induce helical flow for precisely the same reason as it develops in a torque converter.
Any input is much appreciated.
I am wondering if anyone knows of any references regarding use of a helical flow machinery as a gas turbine. Helical flow compressors (also referred to as side channel blowers and regenerative compressors) are common.
I am curious how well they would perform as a gas or steam turbine. In this case they would operate much like a fluid coupling except the circumferential fluid motion is caused by expansion down a pressure gradient, rather than by an impeller. This circumferential motion should then induce helical flow for precisely the same reason as it develops in a torque converter.
Any input is much appreciated.
