A Novel Z-blade Reaction Type Turbine for Low Head Low Flow Water Condition

Abstract

This paper discusses the performance characteristics on efficiency and applicability of the test unit under low-head and low-flow condition for a novel Z-blade reaction type hydraulic turbine. Unlike large hydro power system, this technology’s superiority lies in the fact that it can harness electrical energy even from a small stream of water as energy sources and it does not poses any adverse environmental impact. This turbine was developed for an ideal and practical case which investigated applying the principal equations that were derived using the philosophies of conservation of mass, momentum, and energy. Assuming frictional losses factor or k-factor for different operating head, the relationship between rotor diameter, angular speed, flow rate, and power output was plotted and elaborated with allusion to the experimental data. Experiments were carried out at 5m head and below with the water flow rate less than 2.5L/sec, and it was evaluated against theoretical results. The turbine has a capability to achieve high values of rotational speed (up to 500 rpm) with minimal mass flow rate and high efficiency (up to 78%) at low head water condition (5m)