Losses in Tesla Turbines

This Chapter is focuses on the characterisation of losses in the Tesla turbine prototypes previously described. A systematic classification and attempt of quantification of losses in real machines is performed over Tesla turbines operated both with compressible (air) and incompressible (water) fluids, providing physical insights about the phenomena causing losses. Each loss mechanism is described and quantified, in particular with reference to the 3 kW air turbine, obtaining a rank of impact on Tesla turbine performance, where leakages and ventilation losses show to have the major detrimental contribution.