Laboratory Modeling of an Axial Flow Micro Hydraulic Turbine

Featured Application The identified features of the flow for different cases are necessary for predicting the parameters of micro hydraulic turbines and developing recommendations for expanding the range of regulation of turbine operating cases while maintaining high operating efficiency. This article is devoted to detailed experimental studies of the flow behind the impeller of an air model of a propeller-type microhydroturbine in a wide range of operating parameters. The measurements of two component distributions of averaged velocities and pulsations for conditions from part load to strong overload are conducted. It is shown that the flow at the impeller outlet becomes swirled when the hydraulic turbine operating mode shifts from the optimum one. The character of the behavior of the integral swirl number, which determines the state of the swirled flow, is revealed. Information about the flow peculiarities can be used when adjusting the hydraulic unit mode to optimal conditions and developing recommendations to expand the hydraulic turbine operation control range with preservation of high efficiency. This stage will significantly save time at the stage of equipment design for specific field conditions of water resource.

Automated summary

This article presents detailed experimental studies on the flow behind the impeller of a propeller-type microhydroturbine. It is found that the flow becomes swirled when the hydraulic turbine operating mode changes, and understanding these peculiarities can help optimize the hydraulic unit operation control range and maintain high efficiency.