Analysis of the dynamics of microturbines bearings lubricated using conventional and unconventional agents

The paper presents the research results of the microturbines dynamics with power of a few to several hundred kW. These are combined heat and power (CHP) units (generating heat and electricity) for houses and for municipalities in the form of Autonomous Energy Regions (ARE). These are key technologies for energy sector with respect to the distributed generation and for small-scale eco-power engineering. The following examples will refer only to the several selected research projects coordinated by the Institute of the Fluid-Flow Machinery of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Gdańsk. The paper will focus on the dynamics of rotors and bearings lubricated by means of low boiling agents, i.e., by means of turbine working medium. Analysis of hydrodynamic instability phenomena, including the development of oil whirl and oil whip has also been carried out.