CEO of the Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu-based company, Rao says, “India is only the fourth country in the world to have an indigenous micro-turbine. The performance parameters of our micro turbine are second to none when you compared with similar products made in Germany or U.K.”

UMS’ turbine develops a thrust of 27 pounds and runs at 110,000 rpm (revolutions per minute). It uses the cheaper fuel kerosene and can be switched on by a remote-controlled self-starter.

The company has developed a second module with a high-speed microprocessor and software that regulates speed and temperatures, allowing the turbine to function better.

Many parts of the microturbine have been made using the CNC machines that UMS manufactures and exports to countries like Switzerland, France and Germany. A few of the components were indigenously manufactured at UMS Group’s sophisticated tool rooms. The Group’s advanced CAD/CAM facilities enabled them to prepare special machine programmes in order to make a few of the components.

“Micro Turbine has myriad applications,” says Rao. It is widely used in the defense for various applications such as unmanned aircrafts. It is also used in metrological applications such as those related to geophysics and in exploring of precious ores and hydrocarbons.

The easy-to-use turbine can be put to commercial use in rural India. Farmers can use it as high power irrigation engines. It could be used to power a cycle or any small vehicle. “The micro turbine is eco-friendly and can be used for bigger vehicles by converting to gas-based propulsion fuel,” notes Rao.

He believes that the micro turbine has a huge market. His team at UMS is now busy trying to establish contacts with government departments, especially the defense and atomic energy departments. Rao is also keenly looking at exporting the micro turbine also.

So far, India has imported micro turbines. “The Indian made micro turbine costs 40 % less compared to the imported ones," says Rao.

The UMS microturbine is not yet ready for the market. “We need to still work on it. It will take at least six months before the turbine is commercialized,” says Rao.