Experimental investigation and modeling of a hermetic scroll expander

The experimental investigation has revealed promising performances of the hermetic scroll expander given at high supply conditions. The net efficiency of the combined expander-generator reaches 70% from supply pressures of 20 bar. Furthermore, the numerical investigation using the developed model has pointed out the performance deterioration when the pressure ratio deviates from the expander built-in volume ratio and indicates consequently how optimizing such machines to ensure the highest performances.