Optimization and Analysis of an Adhesion Radial Turboexpander

It is estimated that 20-50% of the energy consumed by Canadian manufacturing processes is ultimately lost via waste heat. Recovering energy from this waste heat will significantly reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of Canadian industry. The proposed research project will conduct a computer-based analysis of a novel waste heat recovery concept that extracts work from a pressurized fluid stream with a relatively low inlet temperature. The geometrical simplicity of the conceptualized turboexpander will make it much cheaper to manufacture and operate compared to existing heat recovery technologies. The project will lead to a novel device that can extract power from waste heat sources with much higher efficiencies and lower costs than are currently available, bringing significant financial and environmental savings to Canada’s energy, oil and gas, and manufacturing industries.

Faculty Supervisor:

Joshua Brinkerhoff

Student:

Ryan Harder

Partner:

Innovex Engineering

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

University of British Columbia