Investigation of Optimum Working Conditions of a Micro Cross Flow Turbine

Abstract

Large-scale hydropower plants have major impacts on surrounding environment. This is mostly because of flooding land for the reservoir which destro)s Ibrests, wild* habitat, agricultural and scenic lands (1 Inion of Concern Scientists 120151: Environmental impacts of hydroelectric power). Smallscale hydropower cisterns, on the other hand, can be used as a much environmental choice especially/co independent rural electrification. Dam or barrage requirements for mini and 'micro turbines are fairly small and wtlter is stored in fOrebay tanks..Flowever financial considerations dictates utilisation of more efjicient turbine technologies than currently ave,iilable small-scale turbines can offer Cross flow turbines (Clq) of small-scale hydropower plants are highly environmental considering their production and maintenance but unjai,oured due to their difficulty in achieving adequate and sustainable efficiency. Furthermore maintaining power quality of micro hydropower stations with island operation setup is difficult. In this study, response siafacx methodology MD is applied to investtga.te and identify the operating conditions of a micro cross flow turbine. A quadratic model is developed through kW and an experimental setup of CET is established to investigate the combined effects q/ flow rate, head and guide vane angle parameters on the turbine perf)rmance. RS1,1 analyses are perforrned for 5 0 Ilz constant frequency as optirnal w,orking condition. (C) 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Ens iron Prog, 31: 1506-1511, 2015