Author(s): Victor Hugo Guerra-Cobian; Miguel Angel Zamora-Juarez; Adrian Leonardo Ferrino Fierro; David Clemente Lopez; Jose Luis Bruster Flores

Linked Author(s): Adrian Leonardo Ferriño Fierro, Víctor Hugo Guerra Cobian

Keywords: Concave curve blade; Micro hydro power; Gravitational water vortex; Vortex height

Abstract: This work presents a geometric model and assessment of a prototype of gravitational water vortex turbine, which is assembled in a cylindrical tank to a free surface, focused on hydro power generation on micro scale. The steps which make up the project cover, firstly, the geometric characterization to define the range of operative conditions (water flow rate, angular velocity, among other parameters). Parametric analysis through CFD (Computational Fluids Dynamics) embracing the vortex formation and the hydrodynamic of the turbine to select an efficient geometric configuration. The numerical results allowed to visualize fluid – structure interaction, for different response variables whose influence in tangential and radial components of velocity is usable in a, relatively, wide range of. The geometric configuration with a profile of medium coefficients, an impulse radius of 0.2 m and 8 blades showed best performance, which achieved up to 64.23% of efficiency. Response variables indicate that a radius coefficient, related to submergence rate, and a range of generates better energy absorption. Compared to the experimental measurements, the BEP (Best Efficient Point) was determined for a flow rate with a maximum efficiency of 58.13%. Finally, the main innovation of the prototype is the shape of concave curve profile where the curvature is adapted for a continuous pressure gradient on the radial axe. Thus, the prototype qualifies as a potential alternative for micro hydro power generation.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/978-90-833476-1-5_iahr40wc-p0742-cd

Year: 2023