Pipe Turbine Research Articles

Exploring the potential of artificial intelligence tools in enhancing the performance of an inline pipe turbine

In this study, investigations were conducted using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to assess the applicability of a Francis-type water turbine within a pipe. The objective of the study is to determine the feasibility of implementing a turbine within a pipe and enhance its performance values within the operating range. The turbine within the pipe occupies significantly less space in hydroelectric power plants since a spiral casing is not used to distribute the flow to stationary vanes. Consequently, production and assembly costs can be reduced. Hence, there is a broad scope for application, particularly in small and medium-scale hydroelectric power plants. According to the results, the efficiency value increases on average by approximately 1.5% compared to conventional design, and it operates with higher efficiencies over a wider flow rate range. In the second part of the study, machine learning was employed for the efficiency prediction of an inline-type turbine. An appropriate Artificial Neural Network (ANN) architecture was initially obtained, with the Bayesian Regularization training algorithm proving to be the best approach for this type of problem. When the suitable ANN architecture was utilized, the prediction was found to be in good agreement with CFD, with an root mean squared error value of 0.194. An R2 value of 0.99631 was achieved with the appropriate ANN architecture.

Techno-Economic Evaluations: An Innovative of Hydraulic Reaction Turbine for Pico-Hydro Generation System

The primary goal of this paper is to evaluate an innovative Z-Blade turbine technology and its potential implications for production costs and manufacturing techniques. From literatures, conventional pico-hydro technologies with a capability of less than 5kW are getting more and more attention as good alternatives to environmentally friendly power generation, but there are more expensive and complex for small power generation and small domestic consumer level. Therefore, a Z-Blade reaction turbine technical and environmental processes as well as financial research are described in-depth. The methods for a Z-blade turbine design and implementation are described here, and also the material using for the Z-Blade turbine is a grey PVC pipe. Moreover, empirical description, designation, costing, and correlation are employed in the process of critically analysing the simple reaction water turbine novels. Also in this article, the manufacture of the Split Reaction Turbine (SRT) and Cross Pipe Turbine (CPT) was re-evaluated to take into consideration the technological and economic factors as well as the difficulties of both turbines. In the meantime, low-head, low-flow water resources used to examine additional features of Z-Blade. Theoretically, such a platform for hydro production is cost - effective and has a simplistic design methodology with a total cost of USD76 that equates to 7.6% of the overall installation cost and worthy of output up to 115W of mechanical energy.

Design and analysis of inline pipe turbine

Design and analysis of inline pipe turbine

Study of the pressure distribution over the cross section of the steam pipe turbine T-185-130

Study of the pressure distribution over the cross section of the steam pipe turbine T-185-130

EVOLUTION OF SIMPLE REACTION TYPE TURBINES FOR PICO-HYDRO APPLICATIONS

This paper aims to explore the history and development of eight types of reaction water turbines, namely Hero’s turbine, Barker’s mill, Pupil’s turbine, Whitlaw’s mill, Quek’s turbine, the cross pipe turbine, the split reaction turbine and the Z-Blade turbine. These water turbines are discussed in terms of the complexity of the designs, the manufacturing processes involved, and the applications. It has been observed that even though most reaction type water turbines, except for the split reaction turbine and Z-blade turbine, have undergone different levels of design-related modifications and manufacturing processes, they are considered as being unsuitable for low-head and low-flow water resources in pico-hydro systems.

Design and cost analysis of low head simple reaction hydro turbine for remote area power supply

This paper is aimed at exploring the performance characteristics of a simple reaction hydro turbine for power generation. Using principles of conservation of mass, momentum and energy, the governing equations have been identified for an ideal case of no frictional losses. The paper also describes the conception of a cross-pipe rotor for remote area electricity production. Using the ideal governing equations an optimized geometry of the rotor was selected for the working head of 5 m. Theoretical analysis of the self-governing characteristics has been presented. Experiments were carried out for 2, 3, 4 and 5 m head and evaluated against theoretical results. Split pipe turbine model is presented with detail layout, while different methods of experimentation are explored for different output requirements with varied heads. Various losses in the system are discussed, quantified and included in the graphical format. It is also demonstrated that the experimental power outputs do not have the same tendencies as theoretical predictions and decreases due to jet interference beyond a certain rotational speed as it passes the maximum power point.

Formulation and analysis of the heat pipe turbine for production of power from renewable sources

The heat pipe turbine or thermosyphon Rankine engine is a new concept for power generation using solar, geothermal or other available low grade heat sources. The basis of the engine is the thermosyphon cycle, with its excellent heat and mass transfer characteristics, modified to incorporate a turbine in the adiabatic region. The basic configuration is a closed vertical cylinder functioning as an evaporator, an insulated section and a condenser. The turbine is placed in the upper end between the insulated section and condenser section, and a plate is installed to separate the high pressure region from the low pressure region in the condenser. Conversion of enthalpy to kinetic energy is achieved through the nozzles. The mechanical energy developed by the turbine can be converted to electrical energy by direct coupling to an electrical generator. This paper describes the development of the heat pipe turbine from concept to reality, a series of development steps taken to optimise the design and manufacture. Also in this paper, attempts have been made to provide relationships for the developed power in terms of the geometric and thermodynamic parameters and to discuss limitations on the efficiencies of these turbines.

Numerical Analysis of Heat Pipe Turbine Vane Cooling

A numerical model was developed to simulate transient performance of a heat pipe turbine vane under typical gas turbine engine conditions. Curvilinear coordinates were used to describe the three-dimensional wall and wick heat conduction coupled with the quasi-one-dimensional vapor flow. A unique numerical procedure including two iterative “estimate-correction” processes was proposed to efficiently solve the governing equations along with the boundary conditions. Comparisons with experimental results validated the numerical model and the solution method. A detailed numerical simulation of the heat pipe vane’s transient performance indicated the benefits of incorporating heat pipe vane cooling as well as the areas where precautions should be taken while designing heat pipe vanes.