Performance evaluation of an axial-flow pump with adjustable guide vanes in turbine mode

Zhongdong Qian, Fan Wang, Zhiwei Guo and Jie Lu

Renewable Energy, 2016, vol. 99, issue C, 1146-1152

Abstract: Micro-hydropower applications can provide cost-effective solutions for the energy generation in rural, remote, and hilly areas where cost is prohibitive to connecting to the major power grid. To reduce the initial capital cost and the payback period, the pump as turbine (PAT) is often chosen to replace the conventional turbine. However, PATs usually have lower performance under off-design operating point, especially partial loading, which is unable to satisfy the fluctuating load demands and accommodate the variable hydrological conditions. In the current work an axial-flow pump is studied in both pump and turbine modes. The conversion of adjustable guide vane (AGV) is designed and presented along with 3D assembly drawings. The effects of the AGVs in turbine mode are demonstrated based on linear-cascade analysis and velocity triangle theory. 3D-numerical simulations were performed to estimate performance in pump and turbine modes, partly supported by the experimental data. The AGV provides a cost-effective solution to considerably improve the efficiency of the axial-flow PAT under partial loading. This modification can further shorten the payback period and enhance economic benefits of a micro-hydropower plant.

Keywords: Micro-hydropower; Pump as turbine; Adjustable guide vanes; Partial loading (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (25)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:99:y:2016:i:c:p:1146-1152

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2016.08.020

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