Performance simulation model of millimeter-scale micro turbine engine

In order to meet the requirement of milimeter-scale micro turbine engine performance design, a numerical model was presented to evaluate the performance of millimeter-scale micro gas turbine engines. In this model, new turbomachinery characteristic maps were applied, which took both low Reynolds number effects and heat transfer effects into consideration. Heat balance equations were also added into the matching equations. By coupled solving of the matching equations and the static structure thermal network equations, the engine performance and component heat transfer were dynamically simulated. Furthermore, a typical millimeter-scale micro turbine engine was modeled to study the dynamic changes of the engine internal parameters during startup. The results show that the rotational inertia has little influence on engine acceleration, while the unsteady heat transfer is the major determinant of engine transient performance. There is significant difference in thermal response time between rotor and static structures, which results in several kinks in startup operating line.