Aerodynamic design and experimental validation of high pressure ratio partial admission axial impulse turbines for unmanned underwater vehicles.

High pressure ratio partial admission axial impulse turbines are typically employed for underwater vehicles due to small mass flow rate and machining constraints. However, little work has been focused on the generic design methodology for high pressure ratio partial admission axial impulse turbines. The experimental results and empirical correlations are mostly established upon low pressure ratio axial turbines. In this paper, the meanline turbine design method is first documented together with the performance prediction method at off-design points. The numerical loss breakdown method is then described to thoroughly verify empirical correlations. Both the meanline and numerical methods are thoroughly validated against experimental results and the difference among meanline, numerical and experimental results is less than 10%. A case study is then performed and a 13 kW partial admission axial impulse turbine is designed. The suitability of empirical correlations is confirmed by comparing the losses between the meanline and numerical methods, and the difference less than 5% at design and off-design points is attained. This paper provides the insight into the design methodology for high pressure ratio partial admission axial impulse turbines. • A meanline design method is proposed for high pressure ratio partial admission axial impulse turbines. • The turbine off-design performance prediction method is presented. • The experimental investigation of high pressure ratio partial admission axial impulse turbines is conducted. • The meanline method is validated against experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]