Parametric analysis on a simple design water reaction turbine for low-head low-flow Pico-hydro generation system

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.