Archimedes Screw Turbine Research Articles

Computational Flow Analysis on a Real Scale Run-of-River Archimedes Screw Turbine with a High Incline Angle

The Archimedes screw turbine (AST) is the most sustainable mini-hydropower extraction method that offers number of economic, social, and environmental advantages. Nowadays, many researchers are interested in AST development as it is considered a new technology. Currently, a lot of researchers are conducting experimental testing of the screws, comparing their reliability with computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analyses. Almost all of them are lab-scale testing models that claiming an average 80% efficiency for low pitch angles. In the case of a real site with a small inclination angle, the length of the screw is large enough to cause severe problems, specially related to bending of the screw. Therefore, this research was conducted to analyze the CFD flow field in a real site-scale AST with the maximum possible inclination of 45 degrees. In addition, the design was done without the upper and lower reservoir as it was conceived as a run-of-river flow system. The simulated real scale AST result showed a maximum efficiency of around 82% for a 5.2 m hydraulic head and 0.232 m3/s discharge. Many researchers claim above 80% efficiency for low inclination angle ASTs with reservoirs. This CFD study indicates that even higher inclination angle ASTs can achieve 80% efficiency in run-of-river; real-scale applications.

CFD numerical simulation of Archimedes screw turbine with power output analysis

Archimedes Screw Turbines (ASTs) can become a popular device to generate electricity from hydraulic power at very low-head or nearly zero-head places. In this article, the performance of ASTs is numerically investigated using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to assess different screw rotation speeds, volume flow rates, and inclination angles. The numerical model is validated using experimental data, showing that the results computed using 5 million mesh cells lead to a relative error of 0.69% for a volume flow rate of 1.13 l/s, a rotation speed of 10 rad/s, and an inclination angle of 24.9ᵒ. Simulations are used to assess how mechanical torque and efficiency change with volume flow rate and inclination angle. Based on the results, CFD is a reliable tool for AST behavior study, predicting its performance, and visualizing pressure and velocity fields.

Modelling the Energy Extraction from Low-Velocity Stream Water by Small Scale Archimedes Screw Turbine

In recent years, there has been a growth of interest in the development of micro-hydropower power generation, especially in the low-head turbine. Low-head turbines gained popularity due to their high efficiency, relatively low cost, ability to operate at a low flow rate, and low environmental impact. In this aspect, the Archimedes Screw Turbine (AST) could be the primary key to electrifying the rural area in Sarawak, Malaysia, which is surrounded by rivers. This study starts with a conceptual design based on literature review findings. Eventually, the small-scale prototype is then being built and tested in the laboratory. The experiment is set up to simulate the actual Sarawak river velocity to determine the relationship between key performance variables such as the inclination angle of AST and water flow velocity. The findings revealed that the 45° angle of inclination was the optimum angle of AST within the water velocity of 1.0 m/s until 1.5 m/s. At this angle, the highest revolution per minute (RPM) generated by the AST shaft was 179.8, and the highest torque recorded was 0.9Nm. The results were validated through statistical means. It was found that both angles of inclination and river water velocity are significant to RPM and torque generation (p < 0.05). Two statistical models were generated based on linear regression to explain the contribution of water velocity and angle of inclination as inputs to torque and RPM as outputs, with a Pearson R2 value of more than 60%. The maximum mechanical power generated is about 1.54 kW, with a maximum efficiency of 94.6%. The outcome of this study would be useful for designing a small-scale AST power generation system by utilizing a low-flow river (velocity < 1.5 m/s) as a power source. This study would contribute to the existing knowledge stock of small-scale AST, primarily to operate in low-flow velocity rivers. For the future study, it is recommended for conducting a pilot study to test the actual performance of AST in the Sarawak River or rivers with similar flow characteristics.

Design optimization of an Archimedes screw turbine for hydrokinetic applications using the response surface methodology

In this study, the performance of an Archimedes screw turbine (AST), in terms of the power coefficient (CP), was evaluated. The design parameters, including the inner and the outer diameter (Di and Do, respectively), the axle length (L), the blade inclination with respect to the longitudinal axis of the screw (α) and the blade stride (p), were selected as the studied factors to be optimized by using the response surface methodology and particularly a central composite design of experiments (CCD) to maximize the CP value. Computational fluid dynamics simulations were conducted to investigate the interaction among the referred parameters on the turbine performance. In the numerical simulation, six degrees of freedom (6-DoF) user defined function (UDF) method was used. Furthermore, the results obtained for the initial and the optimized turbine configurations were compared based on the experimental data available in the literature. The numerical results showed a good agreement with the reported experimental data. The highest CP values obtained under optimal design conditions; i.e., at aDi/Do, L, α and a p equal to 0.1, 360 mm, 73.94∘ and 220 mm, respectively, were 0.5515 (CFD result) and 0.5137 (predicted value derived from the validated reduced second-order regression model).

Characteristics Analysis of Archimedes Screw Turbine Micro Hydro Power Plants with Variations in Water Discharge

Electrical energy has a very important role in human life, but the electricity supply still does not fully meet the needs of the community. Many potential energy resources can be converted into electrical energy. One of the potential energy resources is the flow of water that can be used for micro-hydropower plants for remote areas. This paper presents the results of research on micro-hydro power plants using Archimedes screw turbines. This power generation system has several advantages, namely low maintenance costs, does not damage the water ecosystem, does not require extensive land. The purpose of this research is to study the characteristics of the Archimedes micro-hydro power plant on variations in water discharge. These characteristics include mechanical characteristics such as the maximum torque and rpm and electrical characteristics such as voltage, current and electric power. The determination of characteristics is carried out on the prototype of the micro hydropower plant Archimedes screw turbine with the specifications of the turbine screw having 2 blades, the turbine elevation angle of 30°, 2.5: 1 gearbox ratio using four variations of water discharge, namely 1.18 l/s, 2.33 l/s, 2.55 l/s, and 2.64 l/s. The determination results of the micro hydropower plant Archimedes screw turbine characteristics show that an increase in water flow will cause an increase in mechanical characteristics such as large torque and rpm and electrical characteristics such as voltage, current and electric power. However, the increase in the magnitude of these characteristics is not directly proportional to the increase in water discharge.

Numerical and Experimental Modelling of Small Hydropower Turbine

Recently, Archimedes screw turbines have been developed to operate as small hydropower stations, because of its reliability to operate with the low head( less than 5 m) and its low cost of design and operation. In the present study, the influence of the flow rate, shaft inclination angle, and the number of blades is studied using physical model and numerical model to determine the performance of Archimedes screw turbine at Ramadi Barrages in Iraq. The physical model was made of stainless steel with the following parameters: (the radius ratio is 0.536, the pitch is 70 mm, the shaft angles are 30? ,35? ,40? ,45?). The experimental work on the physical model is achieved with different flow rates and angles .The results showing that the highest efficiency is 81.4 % At the angle of 35? and the flow rate is 1.12 l/s . The maximum energy obtained is 25.13 w at the angle of 45?, the e flow rate is 2.065 l/s, and the efficiency was 72%. Also the results show that the increase in the number of blades increases the torque and efficiency of the turbine.

Archimedes Screw Turbines: A Sustainable Development Solution for Green and Renewable Energy Generation—A Review of Potential and Design Procedures

Archimedes Screws Turbines (ASTs) are a new form of small hydroelectric powerplant that can be applied even in low head sites. ASTs offer a clean and renewable source of energy and are safer for wildlife and especially fish than other hydro generation options. As with other energy solutions, ASTs are not a global solution for all situations. However, in terms of sustainable development, ASTs can offer many economic, social, and environmental advantages that make them an important option for providing sustainable hydropower development. Archimedes screws can operate in low water heads (less than about 5 m) and a range of flow rates with practical efficiencies of 60% to 80% and can generate up to 355 kW of power. ASTs increase the number of suitable sites where it is possible to develop sustainable hydropower, including in undeveloped, hard to access regions and small communities. At many low head sites, ASTs may be more cost-effective, with lower installation and operating costs than alternative hydropower systems. An AST may also reduce the disturbance of natural sedimentation and erosion processes and have smaller impacts on fish and other fauna. ASTs can often be retrofit to existing unpowered dams or weirs, providing new hydropower capacity for very little marginal environmental impact. This review outlines the characteristics of ASTs, then discusses and analyzes how they could benefit the sustainability of hydropower development.

Identification of Archimedes Screw Turbine for Efficient Conversion of Traditional Water Mills (Gharats) into Micro Hydro-power Stations in Western Himalayan Regions of India: An Experimental Analysis

The abundant sources of low headwater streams in the Western Himalayan region create huge potential in terms of micro-hydro power generation capability, and the existing Gharats (Traditional Watermills) that were used previously for grinding flour provides an already built plant for the electricity generation. The Archimedes screw turbine is being explored all around the world as one of the best candidates for efficient electricity generation at low head and low flow rate sites. But there is a lack of research in identifying the best screw configuration for achieving maximum output power and efficiency at such low head and low flow rate sites. The experimental analysis conducted here reveals that the screw angle around and below 25 o along with flow rate below 1.5 L/s can increase the efficiency of the Archimedes Screw Turbine to around 90% provided the RPM is kept at the optimal level to reduce the frictional and overflow losses in the turbine. The analysis also indicates that Archimedes Screw Turbine can produce a humungous amount of power when implemented at all the 500,000 tradition water mills and can easily support the adverse power requirement of the country in a cost-effective manner.

Investigation of Physical and Numerical Model of Archimedes Screw Turbine

Archimedes screw turbines have been developed as they work with a low head with high efficiency, where flow energy can be exploited in small rivers, streams, regulators and others. The power can be produced using Archimedes turbines and depends on some parameters including the number of blades, flow, and angle of the shaft inclination and the length of the pitch. A physical and numerical model has been developed to determine the performance of the Archimedes turbine on the Ramadi Dam in Iraq. The physical model was made of stainless steel with the following parameters (length 1000 mm, pitch 70 mm, diameter ratio 0.536, inclination angles 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°). Work was carried out on different flow rates and inclination angles. The experimental results showed that the highest efficiency was 81.4% at 35° inclination angle and a flow rate of 1.12 l/s; the maximum power of 9.03 watts was at a 45° inclination angle and a flow rate of 2.065 l/s and 72% efficiency. Also, the impact of the pitch and the number of blades were studied. The results show that torque is increase with an increase in the pitch length, and torque is decreased with increase in several blades. The numerical results showed that the using of two blades led to a greater power produced. The comparison of the numerical and experimental results showed a good agreement, also the comparison with the published data showed a good agreement. As a final result the Archimedes screw has many positive points making it a good potential candidate. The results that emerged show the possibility of using this type of turbine in the Euphrates River in Anbar Governorate—Iraq, as the province is characterized by the presence of many regulators on the river in which turbines can be employed.

Analysis of the local energy potential connection with power plants based on archimedes turbine 10 kW

Research on the availability of water potential for the development of power plants with various scales and types of power plants has been done. Since most existing water sources have small discharges and low heads, this study aimed at designing a micro-hydropower center as one of the ways the electrical energy crisis could be avoided, with one of the renewable energy potentials, namely the potential energy of water in Micro Hydro Power Plant. Further studies were related to water resources to Micro Hydro Power Plants (MHPP) construction, especially Archimedes screw turbines guide parameters that corresponded to flow velocity, channel cross-section, and flow volume. It aimed to connect the local energy potential to the output power of the Archimedes screw turbine. The methods used for this study were 1. Observation 2. Data collection, and 3. Data Analysis. The study was carried out using an observation method that adopted field data collection techniques assisted by measuring equipment to collect data coverage that refers to related parameters. The power available on the channel resulted was 946 kW, and the power generated in the turbine was 5.9 kW.

Numerical Optimization Study of Archimedes Screw Turbine (AST): A case study

The use of renewable energies including hydropower energy is growing throughout the world. Among the existing hydropower technologies, small-scale hydropower technologies are popular due to easy accessibility and availability in different locations. Recently, Archimedes Screw Turbines (ASTs) as a new technology have been considered. The main objective of this research is the structural optimization of an AST for substituting in irrigation canals instead of existing check structures. For this purpose, the AST performance model was numerically developed for screw performance optimization in MATLAB 2013a environment. The developed model was validated using experimental data. Different structural parameters were optimized to design an appropriate AST for replacing instead of check drop-1 in the east Aghili canal in Khuzestan province (Iran). The canal was simulated using the ICSS hydrodynamic model. The results of the developed model showed a good agreement with reported experimental data. The highest efficiency was obtained 90.83% for the screw length of 6 m, the inclination angle of 20°, and the flight number of 1 at the design flow rate. Based on the findings, the suggested system can be used instead of the canal structures without considerable change in the hydraulic and performance of the canal.

PROTOTYPE DESIGN OF MICRO HYDRO USING TURBINE ARCHIMEDES SCREW FOR SIMULATION OF HIDROPOWER PRACTICAL OF ELECTRO ENGINEERING STUDENTS

Development of new and renewable energy source always developed by world researchers which one of those is energy source from water, because it’s friendly for environment and low cost. Water is one of energy source which it’s have big potential in all Indonesian territory. The main problem from microhydropower plants is a water discharge which it’s flow is not continued every year because influenced by weather season. Micro Hydro is a microhydro power plants (MHP)in a small scale. A micro hydro can be operated in a certain of time if it has a enough water supply. To knowing a right of micro hydro’s characteristic is not easy thing to learn it. It is because a characteristic each of micro hydro’s installation location is considered specific location. &#x0D; One type of micro hydro is using Archimedes Screw Turbine. Udayana University of Electrical Engineering Department in this time not have a facility for hydropower field to use this model, so a college student not yet to receive a knowledge of this. Through this research, a writer want to expand a college student’s knowledge in hydropower field with create a prototype of micro hydro with Archimedes Screw Turbine to hydropower practical in laboratory. In this research the effect of screw’s height angle conversion and effect of water pressure conversion has to be researched. In this study will discuss the influence of water pressure and slope of the altitude angle on the rotation produced by the Archimedes screw turbine so that it can be seen the voltage, current, power generated by the generator, torque and efficiency .&#x0D; The result of from handmade equipment for this research in angle 40­0 with biggest generator round (rpm) is 3768 (rpm) and highest power is 10.92057 watt, torque adalah 0.60 Nm dan efisiensi sebesar 14 %. The torque which resulted from water pressure 24 psi is 0,73 Nm and efficience 18,01 %. The voltage, current, and output power which resulted in generator is 85,8 Volt, 0,1963 Ampere and 16,85 Watt. For generator speed round in the pressure 24 Psi is 4582 rpm, while turbine speed round which resulted from the pressure 24 Psi is 383 rpm before coupled with generator and 222 rpm after coupled with generator.

Performance of Single Screw Archimedes Turbine Using Transmission

Micro hydro electricity generation using Archimedes screw turbines has been developed in recent years in countries that have the potential for river flow. This turbine is applied to low water flow conditions and the head is smaller than 10 meter. One type of screw turbine commonly used is a single blade type. However, most of the research is carried out on a laboratory scale. The purpose of this study was to examine the performance of Archimedes single screw turbines using twice reduction gear transmission. The variables measured and observed are the flow rate, turbine rotation, torque and power generated. The test was carried out with two variations of flow discharge, 0.05 m3/s and 0.0375 m3/s. The Archimedes single blade turbine rotation testing defined that the gear transmission able to increase the turbine rotation from 236 rpm to 567.46 rpm. The best turbine performance using gear transmission is obtained at a flow rate of 0.05 m3/s with an acquisition power of 15.38 W and a final rotation of 410.67 rpm.

Small scale archimedes hydro power plant test station: Design and experimental investigation

Abstract: This paper deals with the experimental investigation and design issues of a small Archimedes screw turbine (AST) hydropower test station. Variations of the inclination angle, water flow ratio as well as rotation speed/revolutions per minute (rpm) were experimentally examined with respect to the turbine power output, torque and efficiency. Besides the experimental approach, the design approach was also addressed in detail. The main outcome of the experimental work was related to the optimum working regime investigation for the AST. Testing was obtained for three different inclination angles, 21°, 25° and 30°, and results were compared with the two types of generators; AC and DC generators. According to the experimental result, the maximal efficiency of the AST was found to be 64%, at an inclination angle of 21°, and with an associated water flow of 10 l/s. For the same previously specified conditions, the power output on the generator was about 35 W. It was also found that in order to achieve maximal power output on the generator (57 W), the AST requires an inclination angle of 30° and a water flow of 12.81 l/s. Based on the experimental findings, graphs were provided and addressed, related to the current, AC and DC generator voltages, AST losses and generator efficiency.

Energy harvesting using solar ORC system and Archimedes Screw Turbine (AST) combination with different refrigerant working fluids

In this research, an energy harvesting system was developed for power generation using a combination of an Archimedes Screw Turbine (AST) and a solar Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system. An AST was numerically used and optimized for producing mechanical power as an energy harvesting technique. Different structural parameters including the screw inclination angle, number of flights and the screw length were considered. A parabolic trough concentrator was numerically modeled as a heat source of the ORC system. Two different types of absorber were considered using a smooth and corrugated tube. Different ORC working fluids were investigated in the solar ORC system including R134a, R245ca, R245fa, R152a, R113, R11, and R114b. The results of numerical modeling were validated with experimental results and good agreement was found. The results revealed that R113 at the saturated condition at turbine inlet gave the highest ORC net power, ORC efficiency, and total efficiency compared to the other investigated working fluids. The solar PTC system with the corrugated tube showed the higher ORC net power, and overall efficiency compared to the smooth tube as the PTC receiver. The highest efficiency resulted in the screw length of 1.5 m was 58.24% with inclination angle of 25° and flight number of 1. Finally, the optimized characteristics of power generation system including a solar ORC system and a screw turbine (hybrid system) were presented to harvest energy. Application of the presented hybrid system is an acceptable way for increasing and optimizing the ORC power generation.

静水圧によるらせん水車の性能予測「第一報：損失を考慮しない場合」

静水圧によるらせん水車の性能予測「第一報：損失を考慮しない場合」

静水圧によるらせん水車の性能予測「第二報：損失を考慮する場合」

静水圧によるらせん水車の性能予測「第二報：損失を考慮する場合」

The impact of an Archimedes screw hydropower turbine on fish migration in a lowland river

There has been an increase in the abundance of small hydropower (<10 MW) installations. These tend to be ‘run-of-river’, thereby reducing or averting the need for impoundment and water storage, and so are considered to have lower environmental impact. The Archimedes screw turbine (AST) has been described as ‘fish friendly’ based on magnitude of observed first order impacts, i.e. low rates of direct damage and mortality due to blade strike. However, potential second order effects, such as altered fish behaviour prior to or after passage, and consequences for long-term survival and fitness, have been largely ignored. This two-year study employed acoustic and Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) telemetry and dual frequency imaging sonar to investigate the influence of an AST and associated fish passes (Larinier super-active baffle pass and upstream eel ladders) on the movement patterns and behaviour of five species of potadromous fish and European eel (Anguilla anguilla). Seaward-migrating adult (silver) eels successfully descended the AST, but under high flows most individuals took an alternative route via an overshot weir which resulted in faster passage rates. There was no immediate silver eel mortality as a result of passage through the turbine and no effect on subsequent migration behaviour through the lower freshwater catchment and estuary. Some eels were delayed at the complex and exhibited frequent rejection and milling on their approach to the AST and fish passes. Upstream passage rate (%) at the Larinier pass varied among species with highest for dace (81%) and the lowest for roach (10%). Fish that aggregated up- and downstream of the AST rapidly dispersed on turbine start-up. Although ASTs can be considered a potential downstream passage route for both eels and potadromous species, adult eels milled and rejected at the upstream entrance, while other fish exhibited startle response on turbine start-up. Potential delay to seaward migration of silver eel and the energetic costs of observed behaviours should be considered during future impact assessments, particularly where there is no alternative migration route or there are multiple such facilities in a watercourse.

Computational Fluid Dynamic Predictions on Effects of Screw Number on Performance of Single Blade Archimedes Screw Turbine

One of the alternative solutions to reduce the impact of electricity crisis in Aceh and other isolated areas in Indonesia is by the construction of small-scale hydro power plants that can work efficiently on the heads lower than 10 meters. One suitable type of turbine applied to the head below 10 meters is the Archimedes screw turbine. Due to the lack of information about the application of low head power plants, resulting in applications of this type of turbine is still less in Indonesia. This paper examined the appropriate turbine model. Before experimental turbine testing, turbines were designed theoretically first and then analyzed numerically. The flow velocity and pressure patterns within the turbine were analyzed using ANSYS CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamic) software under design conditions for 7, 9 and 11 screw numbers for single blade turbine. Based on the results of pressure analysis, speed and turbulent kinetic energy, it found that turbine performance using 11 blades is better among the three turbines. However, the highest average speed was obtained on the turbine using 7 screws, which maximum pressure obtained on a turbine 7 screws of 1406 Pa, on 9 screws on plane 1301 Pa and at 11 screws of 1175 Pa. Based on the results of the analysis, it showed that the smaller the distance between the channel and turbine blades, the results were more efficient due to the absence of wasted streams. Therefore, the flow pressure in the inlet position all directly leaded to the tip off the blade to produce a momentum.

Feasibility of Micro-Hydro Schemes in South Glamorgan, Wales

Run-of–the-River Hydro electricity generation, utilizes the natural flow of the river, extracting water from a high point, where it flows to a micro turbine generator, and the kinetic energy is captured. In general, the Run-of-the-River systems have an installed capacity of between <100kW to 5MW, with an efficiency of over 80%, and it remains one of the cheapest forms of renewable energy. Cardiff is the Capital City of Wales and is the tenth largest city in the UK with a population of around 357,000 people as of 2017. Wales currently generates 9% of electricity from renewables with the Welsh government strongly behind a low carbon economy. The city of Cardiff has set a goal to be a ‘One Planet City’ by 2050, which entails reducing the consumption of natural resources and reducing the carbon produced. The objective of Cardiff City is to reduce CO2 by 26% by 2020 by increasing the renewable energy generated around the city and considering the annual rainfall is abundant, with over between 200 - >500mm per year, there is much potential for small scale hydroelectric schemes. One current example of a renewable energy scheme in Cardiff is the Radyr Weir Hydro Scheme which uses water from the River Taff to generate electricity. The gross head of the system has been calculated as 3.5m with a mean flow of 21.37m3/s. The turbines chosen for such a project were two Archimedes screw turbines (3.5 meters in diameter and 10 meters in length) to generate a maximum of 394kW (2 x 200kW). The annual energy yield will be approximately 1.8 million kWh per year, with an annual CO2 saving of around 785 tonnes. Within the Cardiff area, ten more weirs have been identified and the flow velocities measured, and these are located on the River Taff, the Ely and the Rhymney River as well as within small streams such as Roath Brook or abandoned reservoirs such as Llanishen. Three ideal sites have been recognised primarily based on the height of the weir, the site location and the return on investment and these are Llandaff, Pontypridd and Roath weirs, where it is believed there would be minimal environmental impact and sufficient energy could be produced. Blackweir has been discounted even though it is one of the largest, due to the location being a site of scientific interest. Smaller weirs, such as Hawthorn and Upper Pontypridd, with <1.5m in weir height (head) obviously produce much less power, but because of the higher Feed-in-Tariff for pico hydro schemes, they prove to be a much more attractive investment opportunity in contrast to the higher costing bigger projects. However fluctuating Feed-in-Tariffs, which change every 3 months lead to investment uncertainty and it is believed hinders future project development.