Professor Paniagua Shares His Views On Finno Exergy PGC Technology

Finno Exergy team and professor Guillermo Paniagua from Purdue University sat down for a short discussion about Finno Exergy Pressure Gain Combustion technology, the collaboration between Finno Exergy and Purdue Experimental Turbine Aerothermal Laboratory (PETAL), and the future of the gas turbine market.

Professor Paniagua, you have studied pulsating flow for years. How do you see Finno Exergy’s PGC concept changing the way we design turbines in the future?

"During the past two decades, I have evaluated the performance of turbines exposed to various pulsating flow environments. The solution proposed by Finno Exergy operates at relatively low frequencies, which is particularly interesting because the flow has sufficient time to adapt to the instantaneous boundary condition changes. This means the design challenge shifts toward achieving high performance at multiple operating points rather than optimizing for a single steady condition."

You’ve collaborated with the Finno Exergy team for several years. What makes this partnership scientifically valuable?

"I particularly enjoy collaborating with small, dynamic teams of engineers. This kind of close interaction is at the heart of engineering — exploring ultra-efficient solutions for a better world — and it aligns perfectly with the motivation that drives my research career. Finno Exergy has evolved very rapidly, moving from conceptual cycle analyses to the development of a complete demonstrator, and I have been impressed by the team’s consistent focus on achieving practical, efficient power generation."

What were the main findings of your joint simulations with Finno Exergy regarding turbine performance under pulsating flow conditions?

"Because the characteristic timescale of inlet condition variation is relatively long compared to the convection time through the turbine flow path, we observed in our simulations that the flow across the stator continuously experiences changing operating states. By optimizing the geometry across several of these representative conditions, we were able to identify designs that deliver robust performance. To prevent choking, unconventional diffusion angles at the endwalls were required, which poses an interesting challenge — balancing the prevention of choking with the control of secondary flow development."

From a turbomachinery standpoint, how relevant is Finno Exergy’s innovation for industry applications such as distributed energy or hydrogen systems?

"This is a very relevant challenge that may require redesigning nozzle guide vanes or developing new transition elements between the combustor and turbine. We are currently exploring both approaches, with the goal of ensuring stable, efficient operation in highly unsteady environments."

Looking ahead, where do you see the collaboration between Finno Exergy and your research team heading next?

"I hope we will soon finalize an optimized design for the transition element and move toward experimental validation. Testing these high-speed diffusive channels in the laboratory will be a key step toward demonstrating their practical feasibility."

The global gas turbine market is experiencing renewed growth, driven by efficiency demands and new fuels. How do you see the future of the turbine industry evolving in the next decade?

"As global energy demands continue to grow, there will be significant opportunities for new turbomachinery concepts that deliver higher efficiency and flexibility. I believe the next decade will be defined by our ability to apply ingenuity and fundamental understanding to develop the next generation of high-performance, low-emission turbines."