Design and Velocity Distribution of Runner Blade of Kaplan Turbine Using CFD (Computer Fluid Dynamic) for Small Hydroelectric Power Plant

Abstract

Procedures for designing runner of Kaplan water turbine based on the specific conditions in the water potential of the area to be placed, and assessed on the terms of the theoretical analysis and engineering. The main objective of this study was to determine the main characteristics of runners, namely suction head, water flow, and the hydraulic forces that occur when the turbine operates. Modern software for engineering such as computational fulid dynamics (CFD) is used to predict the flow of fluid passing through the runner and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) to verify the design with Finite Element Analisys (FEA). Kaplan turbine runner is designed to place the suction head low and as an option for power generation in Galih Pakuan isolated from Ciwidey area and has not been electricity. The available head and flow rate for turbine are 8 m and 0,3 m3/sec in this site. The output power is 20kW estimated and turbine speed is 900 rpm, In designing blade, blade element theories are the main theories of blade parameter calculation. This paper selecting airfoil shape of the blade from Gottingen (GOE) series and modelling the exact airfoil geometry by using Airfoil.com software.