The Efficiency Comparison of Hydro Turbines for Micro Power Plant from Free Vortex

Piyawat Sritram and Ratchaphon Suntivarakorn
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Piyawat Sritram: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, KhonKaen University, KhonKaen 40002, Thailand
Ratchaphon Suntivarakorn: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, KhonKaen University, KhonKaen 40002, Thailand

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 23, 1-13

Abstract: In this research paper, the relationship between a crossflow turbine and propeller turbine size changes and the pond size in a free vortex power generation system was investigated. This relationship can be written in the form of a new mathematical equation using the principles of the response surface methodology (RSM) method. This study aimed to compare the efficiency of a crossflow turbine and propeller turbine to enhance a micro power plant from free vortex. The pond size in a micro power plant from free vortex was 1 m in diameter and 0.5 m in height with a 0.2 m outlet drain at the bottom. All turbines were tested at different water flowrates of 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6 m 3 /s to identify the rpm, water head, voltage, and electric current to access the waterpower, power output, and overall efficiency. At a 0.02 m 3 /s water flowrate, the crossflow turbine had greater overall efficiency than the propeller turbine, reaching 9.09% efficiency. From the comparison of the results of the two turbines used in the 0.5 m high cylinder-shaped generator pond, the turbine type, turbine size (height and diameter), number of blades, and water flowrate are key factors that affect the overall efficiency. The crossflow turbine can achieve greater efficiency than the propeller turbine in this generator system.

Keywords: power plant; free vortex; hydro turbine; response surface methodology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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