DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/ijred.4.3.181-188

CFD Simulation and Optimization of Very Low Head Axial Flow Turbine Runner

Jimma University, Jimma Institute of Technology, School of Mechanical Engineering, Jimma,, Ethiopia

Published: 15 Oct 2015.
Editor(s): H Hadiyanto

Citation Format:
Abstract

The main objective of this work is Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling, simulation and optimization of very low head axial flow turbine runner  to be used to drive  a centrifugal pump of turbine-driven pump. The ultimate goal of the optimization is to produce a power of 1kW at head less than 1m from flowing  river to drive centrifugal pump using mechanical coupling (speed multiplier gear) directly. Flow rate, blade numbers, turbine rotational speed, inlet angle are parameters used in CFD modeling,  simulation and design optimization of the turbine runner. The computed results show that power developed by a turbine runner increases with increasing flow rate. Pressure inside the turbine runner increases with flow rate but, runner efficiency increases for some flow rate and almost constant thereafter. Efficiency and power developed by a runner drops quickly if turbine speed increases due to higher pressure losses and conversion of pressure energy to kinetic energy inside the runner. Increasing blade number increases power developed but, efficiency does not increase always. Efficiency increases for some blade number and drops down due to the fact that  change in direction of the relative flow vector at the runner exit, which decreases the net rotational momentum and increases the axial flow velocity.

Fulltext View|Download
Keywords: Computation; Efficiency; Irrigation; Modelling; Optimization; Power; Turbine driven pump

Article Metrics:

Article Info
Section: Original Research Article
Language : EN
Recent articles
Predictive Factors Associated with Solar Energy Development in Laikipia District Central Kenya Wind Turbine Rotor Simulation via CFD Based Actuator Disc Technique Compared to Detailed Measurement Promotion of Renewable Energy Sources in the European Union More recent articles
Most cited articles
Potency of Solar Energy Applications in Indonesia Distributed Generation: A Critical Review of Technologies, Grid Integration Issues, Growth Drivers and Potential Benefits Premixed combustion of coconut oil in a hele-shaw cell Incorporating Root Crops under Agro-Forestry as the Newly Potential Source of Food, Feed and Renewable Energy Innovative Green Technology for Sustainable Industrial Estate Development More cited articles
  1. Adejumobi, I. A., Adebisi, O. I., & Oyejide, S. A. (2013). Developement of Small Hydro Power Potentials for Rural Electrifications. IJRRAS, 7(1), 105-110
  2. Anyi, M., & Kirke, B. (2010). Evaluation of small axial flow hydrokinetic turbines for remote community. Elsevier, Energy for Sustainable Development, 14, 110–116
  3. Awuchalew, S. B. (2010). Irrigation potential in Ethiopia constraints and opportunities for enhancing the system. International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
  4. Baburaj, E., Sivaprakasam, R., Manikandan, C., & Sudha, K. (2013). CFD Analysis of Pump as Turbine for Micro-Hydro Schemes. International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 2(3), 590-594
  5. Byeon, S.S, Boo, J.H., Park, J.Y., Kim, S. and Kim Y.J. (2013). Numerical study on the ow characteristics of low head small hydraulic turbine. Advanced Materials Research, 732-733, 436-442
  6. Chica Arrieta, E. L., Florez, S. A., & Sierra, N. I. (2013). Application of CFD to the design of the runner of a propeller turbine for small hydroelectric power plants. Rev. Fac. Ing. Univ. Antioquia, 181-192
  7. Hagos, F., Makombe, G., Namara, R. E., & Awuchalew , S. B. (2010). Importance of irrigated agriculture to the Ethiopian economy: Capturing the direct net benefits of irrigation. Acra: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) Sub regional Office for the Nile Basin and East Africa
  8. Kulkarni, S. H., & Anil, T. R. (2014). Rural Electrification through Renewable Energy Sources. International Journal of Engineering Research (IJER), 3(6), 384-389
  9. Minstry of Agriculture and natural resource. (2011). Small-scale irrigation capacity building strategy for Ethiopia. Addis Ababa: The federal democratic republic of Ethiopia ministry of agriculture natural resource sector
  10. Mitiku. Y., Ramayya, V., & Shunki, G. (2015), Turbine Driven Pump CFD Modelling and Simulation- a Centrifugal Pump Optimization forIrrigation, International Journal of Engineering and Technical Research (IJETR), 3(7) ,154-159
  11. MoFED. (2010). Growth and Transformation Plan. Addis Ababa: Ministry of Finance and Economic
  12. Mondal, M., & Mandal, S. (2013). Remote Village Electrification through Renewable Solar energy:a Case Study of Sagar Island, West Bengal, India. The International Journal of Engineering And Science (IJES), 2(01), 201-205
  13. Prasad, V. (2012). Numerical simulation for flow characteristics of axial flow hydraulic. Energy Procedia, 14, 2060-2065
  14. Prasad, V., & Khare, R. (2012). CFD: An effective tool for flow simulation in hydraulic reaction turbines. International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA), 2(4), 1029 – 1035
  15. Sutikno, P. & Adam, K.I. (2011). Design, Simulation and Experimental of the Very Low Head Turbine with Minimum Pressure and FreeVortex Criterions. International Journal of Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering IJMME-IJENS, 11 (01), 9-16
  16. Ramos, H. M., Simao, M., & Borga, A. (2012). CFD and experimental study in the optimization of an energy converter for low heads. CSCanada, Energy Science and Technology, 4(2), 1029 – 1035
  17. Ramos, H. M., Simao, M., & Kenov, K. N. (2012). Low-Head Energy Conversion: A Conceptual Design and Laboratory Investigation of a Microtubular Hydro Propeller. ISRN Mechanical Engineering , 1-10
  18. Ruprecht, A., Bauer, C., Gentner, C., & Lein, G. (1999). Parallel computation of stator-rotor interaction in an axial turbine. In ASME PVP Conference (pp. -). Boston: CFD Symposium
  19. Tilahun, A. (2011). Assessment of micro hydro power potential of selected Ethiopian rivers.- A case study in the northwest part of the country. Addis Ababa: Addis Ababa Institute of Technology, School of Graduate Studies, Addis Ababa University
  20. Tilahun, H., Erkossa, T., Michael, M., Hagos, F., & Awuchalew, S. (2014). Comparative performance of irrigated and rainfed agriculture in Ethiopia. World Applied Sciences Journal, 14, 235-244
  21. Vineesh, V., & Selvakumar, A. I. (2012). Design of Micro Hydel Power Plant. International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology (IJEAT), 2(2), 136-140
  22. Vu, T. C., Koller, M., & Gauthier, M. D. (2010). Flow simulation and efficiency hill chart prediction for a propeller turbine. 25th IAHR Symposium Hydraulic Machinery and sytems, Timisora,: Engineering Conferences Online (ECO)

Last update:

  1. Modeling and Comparison of Design Features of Pendulum and Radial Micro-Hydropower Plants Considering the Influence of Variable Design Parameters

    Almira Zhilkashinova, Igor Ocheredko, Bagdat Azamatov, Mergen Nurbaev, Dmitry Dogadkin, Madi Abilev. Designs, 8 (5), 2024. doi: 10.3390/designs8050101

  2. Numerical simulation and experimental validation of an ultra-low head hydro turbine

    Shrikant Babanrao Taware, Chandrakant L. Prabhune. Materials Today: Proceedings, 72 , 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2022.09.124

  3. Diseño y simulación de un sistema pico-hydro para la generación de energía eléctrica en zonas rurales, mediante un software de mecánica de fluidos computacional

    JorgeMario Illidge-Araujo, Jorge Luis Chacon Velasco, Angel José Chacon Velasco, Carlos A. Romero Piehadraita. Revista UIS Ingenierías, 19 (1), 2020. doi: 10.18273/revuin.v19n1-2020015

Last update: 2024-11-04 18:43:54

No citation recorded.