In the last few decades, hydropower production has been moving toward a new paradigm of low and diffused power density production of energy with small and mini-hydro plants, which usually do not require significant water storage. In the case of nominal power lower than 20 kW and ultra-low head H (H < 5 m), Archimedes screw or Kaplan type turbines are usually chosen due to their efficiency, which is higher than 0.85. A new cross-flow type turbine called Ultra-low Power Recovery System (UL-PRS) is proposed and its geometry and design criteria are validated in a wide range of operating conditions through 2D numerical analysis computed using the ANSYS Fluent solver. The new proposed solution is much simpler than the previously mentioned competitors; its outlet flow has a horizontal direction and attains similar efficiency. The costs of the UL-PRS turbine are compared with the costs of one Kaplan and one cross-flow turbine (CFT) in the case study of the main water treatment plant of the city of Palermo in Italy. In this case, the UL-PRS efficiency is estimated using a URANS 3D numerical analysis computed with the CFX solver.

Picone C., Sinagra M., Gurnari L., Tucciarelli T., Filianoti P.G.F. (2023). A New Cross-Flow Type Turbine for Ultra-Low Head in Streams and Channels. WATER, 15(5), 973 [10.3390/w15050973].

A New Cross-Flow Type Turbine for Ultra-Low Head in Streams and Channels

Picone C.;Sinagra M.
;
Tucciarelli T.;
2023-03-03

Abstract

In the last few decades, hydropower production has been moving toward a new paradigm of low and diffused power density production of energy with small and mini-hydro plants, which usually do not require significant water storage. In the case of nominal power lower than 20 kW and ultra-low head H (H < 5 m), Archimedes screw or Kaplan type turbines are usually chosen due to their efficiency, which is higher than 0.85. A new cross-flow type turbine called Ultra-low Power Recovery System (UL-PRS) is proposed and its geometry and design criteria are validated in a wide range of operating conditions through 2D numerical analysis computed using the ANSYS Fluent solver. The new proposed solution is much simpler than the previously mentioned competitors; its outlet flow has a horizontal direction and attains similar efficiency. The costs of the UL-PRS turbine are compared with the costs of one Kaplan and one cross-flow turbine (CFT) in the case study of the main water treatment plant of the city of Palermo in Italy. In this case, the UL-PRS efficiency is estimated using a URANS 3D numerical analysis computed with the CFX solver.
3-mar-2023
Settore ICAR/01 - Idraulica
Settore ING-IND/08 - Macchine A Fluido
Picone C., Sinagra M., Gurnari L., Tucciarelli T., Filianoti P.G.F. (2023). A New Cross-Flow Type Turbine for Ultra-Low Head in Streams and Channels. WATER, 15(5), 973 [10.3390/w15050973].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10447/586939
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