# Effect of blade parameters on radial turbine rotor aerodynamics

## TL;DR

This paper studies how blade design affects radial turbine performance, showing that optimized geometry can improve efficiency and flow.

## Contribution

A unified CFD-based methodology is introduced to analyze the combined effects of blade parameters on radial turbine aerodynamics.

## Key findings

- Optimized blade geometry can enhance flow uniformity and reduce secondary losses.
- Design-oriented correlations are established to guide future turbine rotor optimization.
- Coordinated changes in blade parameters significantly influence turbine efficiency and mass flow.

## Abstract

Radial turbines play a vital role in turbochargers and compact power systems, where efficiency and size optimization are crucial. However, the combined aerodynamic effects of key rotor geometric features–namely blade angle distribution, thickness profile, and blade count–have not been comprehensively examined. This work presents a unified CFD-based methodology to assess how coordinated changes in these parameters influence turbine performance. A validated numerical model of a reference rotor was employed to systematically vary each design factor and evaluate its impact on efficiency and reduced mass flow. The investigation demonstrates that carefully optimized geometric adjustments can enhance flow uniformity, minimize secondary losses, and improve overall energy conversion. The study establishes clear performance trends supported by detailed flow-field analysis and provides design-oriented correlations that can guide future optimization of radial turbine rotors for high-efficiency operation.