Testing Scale Models of Hydro-Reactor Profiled Ducts That Create Notable Net Head to Promote Hydroelectric Power from Currents

Abstract

In this article, experimental results from the testing of four representative scale models of hydro-reactor profiled channels, which create a net head to promote the extraction of hydroelectric power from currents, are presented. The tested scale models include a narrower intermediate channel section of 300 mm diameter. The different profile models studied include an inlet compression chamber and an outlet depression chamber. A net head is created by the difference in pressure, with the head being higher the narrower channel’s zone than in the kinetic head of the outside stream velocity. Because there were no laboratory premises to test the constructed duct model sizes and to easily change the imposed steady current velocity, the experimental tests were performed by dragging the immersed models, attached to a raft in motion, in a place of steady water (the bay of a port). With this methodology, the same effect was obtained, making it possible to perform the testing for several current velocities (velocity of the raft relative to the steady water). Tests on free-flow to compare the difference in kinetic heads were performed. Furthermore, three loads obstructing different percentages of the channel’s narrower section were inserted to analyze the duct channel obstruction limits. The experimental results are validated by numerical results from finite element analysis.