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DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING OF A BRAYTON CYCLE FOR

SPACE APPLICATIONRed Rover

Members:Lee Fuller

Justin MendoncaTrever Pope

Erik SterbentzNathan Bartel

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Presentation OutlineSystem ArchitectureComponent Details

Component Loss Analysis

Tentative Fall Timeline

Discussion Questions

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SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

One system with valves to compare open to closed systems with or without regeneration.

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Turbine/compressor• A turbine is needed to

convert the fluid’s energy into rotational energy

• For this design, the turbine and compressor share a common shaft

• Blades will be interchangeable allowing for multiple test configurations

• Compressor is required to create a high pressure reservoir

• Both impulse and boundary layer effect type blades will be available for test configurations

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Blade designsBOUNDARY LAYER DRIVEN IMPULSE DRIVEN

• Tesla bladeless turbine utilized the boundary layer effect

• High RPM range• Theoretical High efficiency• Testing of device

• Paddle style impulse turbine

• Effective with moderate efficiency

• Moderate RPM range• Standard small

compressor design

Component Details

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Heat Exchanger• A heat exchanger is required

in a closed cycle to provide a low temperature reservoir

• Open cycle Brayton systems do not require a heat exchanger

• The test apparatus includes both open and close cycles to gather data on each cycle performance

• The annular pipe heat exchanger is one design under development

• Submerging the compressor side cross fitting in an ice bath is another design concept

• Current heat exchanger designs are ideal for bench testing and do not reflect the final design concept

Component Details

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Heater• Heat input is provided to

the test system through a 1000 W heating element

• The heating element is contained within the housing shown to the right

• This drives the heat engine and provides the necessary input energy to extract work from the cycle

Component Details

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Regenerator• The regenerator is an

unnecessary component that increases the efficiency of the cycle

• Currently designs include an annular pipe concept show above, and a single pass shell in tube concept shown below

• Due to the systems low efficiency, the component may be necessary to meet project goals

• When active, turbine exhaust gas is diverted to preheat the compressor exhaust

• After the regenerator, the hot gas enters the heat exchanger or exhausts to the atmosphere

Component Details

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System Integration• To minimize the system’s

complexity, standardized components will be used

• Each pipe fitting will have 1” NPT threads

• Each temperature/pressure tap will have ½” NPT threads

• A common flange piece above will be used in every available location

• Additionally, the turbine and compressor share many common dimensions

Component Details

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Component Analysis• Head loss through each component• Heat loss in each component• Performance of heat exchanger• Efficiency of turbine, compressor and

electric generator.

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Every Tuesday meet with advisorsEvery Thursday team meeting

August 22 - Fall semester beginsSeptember 5 - End detailed design/fabricationSeptember 6 - Begin testingSeptember 30 - Have all purchasing completedDecember 16 - Present final results and report

TENTATIVE FALL TIMELINE

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Discussion Questions• Performance Testing Components:

• Temperature• Pressure• Pressure gauges for high temperature application

• Flow velocity• Volumetric flow rate gauge

• Material Selection• Piping• Heat exchangers• Turbine blade material