Abstract
This paper presents a parametric analysis of the outward flow reaction type turbine known as a Z-Blade turbine for low-head low-flow conditions. By applying the principles of mass conservation, momentum and energy, a nomogram was designed to investigate the theoretical performance characteristics. Based on the parametric analysis and the governing equations and experimental results, attempts have been made to prove that the mass flow rate, angular speed, centrifugal head, power output and efficiency respond dynamically to the water head, radius of the rotor, size of the PVC pipes and the nozzle exit area. A turbine with a 1” pipe diameter gives a higher performance compared to a 1/2” pipe diameter, and certainly the performances of both pipe sizes are improved when the supplied potential energy is increased. This innovative turbine has a maximum rotational speed at an optimum turbine diameter at 0.6m, accompanied by a point where there is a sudden reduction in the water flow rate, where previously the increment in the water flow rate was very high. This can shows from the outcome nomogram with 1” pipe diameter can perform 350 rpm speed with 1.48 L/sec water flow. The Z-Blade turbine has been examined and has shown good potential to be used for low-head (3m, 4m and 5m) and low-flow (less than 2.5 L/sec) conditions.
Highlights
Many countries have been facing fluctuations in the water flow rate, where the mass flow rate and waterhead have been disrupted due to dry spells. It is a time of minimum power production, and a key challenge of a pico-hydro power plant is to maintain the performance of its generation system on a regular basis
The radius of the nozzle exit area (λ) was set at 3 x 10-3 m, 4 x 10-3 m and 5 x 10-3 m, while the nominal diameter of the PVC pipe was varied from a pipe diameter of 1/2” and 1”
At a water head of 5 m, the 0.5” blade had an optimum rotor diameter of 0.6 m. This was the moment when the turbine rotated at the maximum rotational speed due to the static head together with the pressure exerted by the centrifugal pumping effect
Summary
ABSTRACT – This paper presents a parametric analysis of the outward flow reaction type turbine known as a Z-Blade turbine for low-head low-flow conditions. A turbine with a 1” pipe diameter gives a higher performance compared to a 1/2” pipe diameter, and certainly the performances of both pipe sizes are improved when the supplied potential energy is increased This innovative turbine has a maximum rotational speed at an optimum turbine diameter at 0.6m, accompanied by a point where there is a sudden reduction in the water flow rate, where previously the increment in the water flow rate was very high. This can shows from the outcome nomogram with 1” pipe diameter can perform 350 rpm speed with 1.48 L/sec water flow. KEYWORDS Low head; low flow; parametric; pico-hydro; reaction turbine; Z-Blade
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