[Gasification] engines (TESLA TURBINE)

[William Carr]

On Feb 16, 2007, at 11:24 AM, Ken Boak wrote:

> No one working on Tesla turbines has published verifiable  
> efficiency figures
> that suggest that it is any better than a simple reciprocating  
> steam engine.


The "sweet spot" of the Tesla Turbine was as follows:

Unlike the early bladed turbines of Tesla's day, it was easy to  
manufacture.   Early test runs of bladed turbines showed how hard  
they are to make, as they ended up in pieces.

Unlike Piston engines, there is only one moving part.


Apparently there's a version of a TT in common use in steam  
generating facilities to "cream" off the high energy steam before it  
goes to the pistons, or so I've read.

And finally, the TT is reversible.   Perhaps it's neatest trick, just  
power it and you can pump the working fluid backwards.


I'm sure there are high-tech approaches that work more efficiently in  
some areas, but the TT is still a fascinating device.

Kind of like the MIDGE stove, really.   Easy to build without a  
factory, efficient in it's own way.