On Friday the 10th of July the second Rotterdam
Turbine Challenge took place at RDM Rotterdam. Four teams of students attended
the match. Three teams from the Rotterdam University of Applied Science (Mechanical
Engineering) and one team of the Albeda College (Maintenance) tried to produce
the highest power output with the micro turbines they had designed and build.
Even on the day of the power test (the actual
challenge) it had been challenging for the teams. Team Omega2 wasn’t able to finish
their design and the Maintenance Crew had trouble with internal frictions in
their turbine. With some help of their teacher, Gertjan Simons they got their
turbine running and could attend the power test.
Team Thèta of the Rotterdam University of Applied
Science won the challenge. Their turbine was equipped with gas bearings which
gave a minimum of friction. The turbine produced a power of 11,4 Watts and an
rotational speed of 37,000 rpm. Team Disigma was second with 7,2 Watts and
Maintenance Crew third with 6,5 Watts.
All teams received a certificate from the RDM Centre of
Expertise for attending the challenge program that took place between February 2015
and July 2015.
Sponsors of the program were Royal Dahlman, Kreber,
van Wijk, and Gearbox services.
