Variable-Speed Propeller Turbine for Small Hydropower Applications

Standard technical solutions are not cost-effective for many small hydropower sites. This study aims to demonstrate the workflow for the tailor-made variable-speed axial propeller turbine and provide proof of this concept. The turbine is designed to meet the site’s specific space limitations and ope...

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Main Authors: Eva Bílková, Jiří Souček, Martin Kantor, Roman Kubíček, Petr Nowak
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-04-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/9/3811
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author Eva Bílková
Jiří Souček
Martin Kantor
Roman Kubíček
Petr Nowak
author_facet Eva Bílková
Jiří Souček
Martin Kantor
Roman Kubíček
Petr Nowak
author_sort Eva Bílková
collection DOAJ
description Standard technical solutions are not cost-effective for many small hydropower sites. This study aims to demonstrate the workflow for the tailor-made variable-speed axial propeller turbine and provide proof of this concept. The turbine is designed to meet the site’s specific space limitations and operating range needs. The runner shape is adjusted to the variable-speed operation and defined hydraulic profile using a parametric geometry model and CFD-based optimization. The variable-speed propeller turbine shows excellent flow control while keeping the mechanical design simple. The tailor-made approach minimizes construction costs using existing structures and is highly suitable for mini-hydropower applications. The prototype—an atypical turbine designed for highly restricted space and installed on-site—serves as proof of the concept. The findings on the design of axial variable-speed turbines are presented.
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spelling doaj.art-ea10c6d12f6d49029318f320a1efeeab2023-11-17T22:52:04ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732023-04-01169381110.3390/en16093811Variable-Speed Propeller Turbine for Small Hydropower ApplicationsEva Bílková0Jiří Souček1Martin Kantor2Roman Kubíček3Petr Nowak4Hydraulic Structures Department, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University, 166 29 Prague, Czech RepublicHydraulic Structures Department, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University, 166 29 Prague, Czech RepublicInstitute of Machines and Power Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University J. E. Purkyně, 400 96 Ústí nad Labem, Czech RepublicElzaco spol. s r.o., 787 01 Šumperk, Czech RepublicHydraulic Structures Department, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University, 166 29 Prague, Czech RepublicStandard technical solutions are not cost-effective for many small hydropower sites. This study aims to demonstrate the workflow for the tailor-made variable-speed axial propeller turbine and provide proof of this concept. The turbine is designed to meet the site’s specific space limitations and operating range needs. The runner shape is adjusted to the variable-speed operation and defined hydraulic profile using a parametric geometry model and CFD-based optimization. The variable-speed propeller turbine shows excellent flow control while keeping the mechanical design simple. The tailor-made approach minimizes construction costs using existing structures and is highly suitable for mini-hydropower applications. The prototype—an atypical turbine designed for highly restricted space and installed on-site—serves as proof of the concept. The findings on the design of axial variable-speed turbines are presented.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/9/3811axial propeller turbinevariable-speedoptimizationtailor-made designCFDCAESES
spellingShingle Eva Bílková
Jiří Souček
Martin Kantor
Roman Kubíček
Petr Nowak
Variable-Speed Propeller Turbine for Small Hydropower Applications
Energies
axial propeller turbine
variable-speed
optimization
tailor-made design
CFD
CAESES
title Variable-Speed Propeller Turbine for Small Hydropower Applications
title_full Variable-Speed Propeller Turbine for Small Hydropower Applications
title_fullStr Variable-Speed Propeller Turbine for Small Hydropower Applications
title_full_unstemmed Variable-Speed Propeller Turbine for Small Hydropower Applications
title_short Variable-Speed Propeller Turbine for Small Hydropower Applications
title_sort variable speed propeller turbine for small hydropower applications
topic axial propeller turbine
variable-speed
optimization
tailor-made design
CFD
CAESES
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/9/3811
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AT romankubicek variablespeedpropellerturbineforsmallhydropowerapplications
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