Design and Simulation for hydro turbine through Computational Fluid Dynamics

Abstract

Hydro-power project must take into consideration the design and performance analysis of hydraulic turbines to ensure the cost-effective and efficient operation of these facilities. Since the previous few decades, numerical hydrodynamic analysis of water turbines has brought about remarkable developments in the techniques. Data for this study is attained from CFD simulation. Both experimental research and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) have been utilized in specific situations to estimate the efficiency of water turbines by Pico scale. It is made to generate electricity for residential units. Which is a great alternative that can benefit from tiny avalanches and streams to increase electricity clearly in the use of hydro turbine systems. With the aid of the ANSYS CFX software and simulations performed on a modal designed in SolidWorks, the procedure of data collection was undertaken via simulations. The manufacturer's manual proposed updated values of solver configuration. Solver configuration put in which is recommended by the manufacturer's manuals. The boundary conditions were leveled in response with the current ongoing powerhouse data in District Kharmang of Gilgit Baltistan region. The obtained results of velocity and pressure is compared with the results published previously. It is concluded that when the rpm was 90, a simulation could only be run at 0.4 W with an angular velocity of 9.4 rad/s and a torque of 0.04 Nm. Additionally, the turbine was also run at rpm=60, producing 0.3W at 0.05 Nm of torque and an angular velocity of 6.28 rad/s. These findings are much be beneficial in the application mechanical engineering and chemical engineering.