1,170 research outputs found

    Investigation and optimization of the performance of gravity water wheels

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    Water wheels are rotating hydraulic machines that were introduced thousands of years ago to generate energy from water. Gravity water wheels are driven by the weight of the water flow and a portion of the flow kinetic energy. In the last decades, due to the increasing diffusion of micro hydropower plants (installed power less than 100 kW), gravity water wheels are being recognized as attractive hydraulic machines to produce electricity. Unfortunately, most of the engineering knowledge on water wheels is dated back to the XIX century, with several gaps and uncertainty. Additional work is still needed to fully understand the power losses and the performance within water wheels, that could lead to further improvements in efficiency. The scope of the present thesis is the investigation and improvement of the performance of gravity water wheels. This aim was achieved using physical experiments to quantify water wheels performance under different hydraulic conditions, theoretical models to estimate and predict the efficiency, and numerical simulations to optimize the design. Undershot, breastshot and overshot water wheels were investigated, in order to give a wide overview on all the kinds of gravity water wheels. Sagebien and Zuppinger undershot wheels were investigated at Southampton University, under the supervision of prof. Gerald Muller, from October 2015 until April 2016. These two wheels differ based on the shape of the blades. The blades of Sagebien wheels are optimized to reduce the inflow power losses, while those of Zuppinger wheels are conceived to minimize the outflow power losses. The objective of the experiments was to understand which of the two designs is better in term of efficiency. The tests showed that the Sagebien type exhibits a more constant efficiency as a function of the flow rate and the hydraulic head than the Zuppinger type. The maximum efficiency (excluding leakages) was identified as 88%. Breastshot water wheels were investigated experimentally, theoretically and using numerical Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) methods at Politecnico di Torino. The maximum experimental efficiency was estimated as 75% using a sluice gate inflow. A vertical inflow weir was also investigated, and found to have a more constant efficiency versus the rotational speed of the wheel, but with similar maximum values. A theoretical model that was developed to estimate the power output, power losses and efficiency, had a discrepancy with the experiments of 8%. A dimensionless law was also developed to estimate the power output. Numerical CFD simulations were performed to understand the effects of the number and shape of the blades on the efficiency. The optimal number of blades was 48 for the investigated wheel, and the efficiency can be improved using a circular shape. The numerical discrepancy with experiments was less than 6%. Overshot water wheels were investigated using a similar approach as done for breastshot wheels, and were found to have a maximum experimental efficiency of 85%. A theoretical model was developed to estimate the power losses and the efficiency, in particular to quantify the volumetric losses at the top of the wheel, that is the fraction of the flow which can not enter into the buckets and that is lost. Then, numerical simulations will be started to try to improve the wheel efficiency, reducing the previous volumetric losses. More specifically, a circular wall around the periphery of the wheel was added to the original design, leading to a performance improvement up to 60%. The results of this work show that water wheels can be considered attractive hydropower converters

    CFD simulations to optimize the blades design of water wheels

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    Abstract. In low head sites and at low discharges, water wheels can be considered among the most convenient hydropower converters to install. The scope of this work is to improve the performance of an existing breastshot water wheel changing the blades shape, using Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulations. Three optimal profiles are investigated: the profile of the existing blades, a circular profile and an elliptical profile. The results are validated performing experimental tests on the wheel with the existing profile. The numerical results show that the efficiency of breastshot wheels is affected by the blades profile. The average increase in efficiency using the new circular profile is about 4 % with respect to the profile of the existing blades. </jats:p

    Gravity water wheels as a micro hydropower energy source: A review based on historic data, design methods, efficiencies and modern optimizations

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    Abstract Nowadays, due to the need for clean energy and sustainable electricity production, hydropower plays a central role in satisfying the energy demand. Particularly, use of low head micro hydropower plants is spreading worldwide, due to their low payback periods and good environmental sustainability. Gravity water wheels are micro hydropower converters typically used in sites with heads less than 6 m and discharges of a few cubic meters per second. Although water wheels were scientifically investigated as far back as the eighteenth century, they were largely ignored throughout the twentieth century, and only in the last two decades has there been a renewed interest in their use among the scientific community. In this paper a review on gravity water wheels is presented, distinguishing between undershot, breastshot and overshot water wheels. Water wheels technology is discussed focusing on geometric and hydraulic design; data and engineering equations found in historic books of the nineteenth century are also presented. Water wheels' performance is described examining experimental results, and modern theoretical models for efficiency estimation are presented. Finally, results achieved through experiments and numerical simulations were discussed with the aim of optimizing the performance of gravity water wheels. The results showed that maximum efficiency of overshot and undershot water wheels was around 85%, while that of breastshot water wheels ranged from 75% to 80%, depending on inflow configuration. Maximum efficiency of modern water wheels can be maintained at such high values over a wider range of flow rates and hydraulic conditions with respect to older installations. Hence well designed water wheels can be considered as efficient and cost-effective micro hydropower converters

    Performance Optimization of Overshot Water Wheels at High Rotational Speeds for Hydropower Applications

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    Overshot water wheels are hydropower converters generally employed for head differences up to 6 m and maximum flow rates of 150−200 L=s per meter width. The maximum hydraulic efficiency (80%–85%) is constant for rotational speeds below the critical speed, whereas the efficiency linearly decreases at higher rotational speeds due to the increase of water losses at the inflow. To improve the efficiency when the rotational speed is above the critical speed, an improved geometric design was investigated by implementing a theoretical model validated using experimental results. The new geometry consists of a circular wall around the periphery of overshot water wheels. The wall redirects into the buckets the water flow that is lost at the inflow, improving the efficiency up to 1.5 times at high rotational speeds

    cfd simulations to optimize the blade design of water wheels

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    Abstract. At low head sites and at low discharges, water wheels can be considered among the most convenient hydropower converters to install. The aim of this work is to improve the performance of an existing breastshot water wheel by changing the blade shape using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations. Three optimal profiles are investigated: the profile of the existing blades, a circular profile and an elliptical profile. The results are validated by performing experimental tests on the wheel with the existing profile. The numerical results show that the efficiency of breastshot wheels is affected by the blade profile. The average increase in efficiency using the new circular profile is about 4 % with respect to the profile of the existing blades

    Innovative Projects and Technology Implementation in the Hydropower Sector

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    In this chapter, some innovative case studies in the hydropower sector are discussed, highlighting how novel technologies and operational practices can make it more efficient, sustainable and cost-effective. Some practices to reduce hydropeaking effects, improving fish habitat, and turbines with higher survival rate, allowing to bring fish survival >98%, are discussed. The retrofitting of non-powered barriers can help to minimize the environmental impacts, reducing costs by more than 20%. New turbines are described focusing on their advantages with respect to standard ones, in particular, water wheels in irrigation canals to promote the valorization of watermills and old weirs, the very low head (VLH) turbine in navigation locks (reducing overall cost by more than 20%), the vortex turbine, and the Deriaz turbine with adjustable runner blades to improve the efficiency curve, especially at part load. Digitalization can help in preventing damages and failures increasing the overall efficiency and energy generation by more than 1%

    Optimal design process of crossflow Banki turbines: Literature review and novel expeditious equations

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    The Banki turbine is a crossflow turbine suitable for sites with heads below 200 m and flow rates below 10 m3/s, with maximum efficiency around 80%. Its flexible operation and easy manufacturing make it a suitable hydropower technology for different geographic areas and hydraulic contexts. However, the design procedure proposed in literature is not complete and it is quite fragmented. It lacks of effective equations to select the optimal number of blades, the optimal tip speed ratio, the rotational speed and a preliminary cost estimate. Information on runner material and blade thickness is also fragmented. In this paper, the traditional design procedures are reviewed, and a new and more complete one is proposed to overcome the above-mentioned gaps, providing new expeditious equations and data to be used in practical applications. The new equations are obtained by elaborating and generalizing literature and industrial data, presenting them in a dimensionless form. The current share of Banki turbines and their future developments and opportunities are also discussed

    Costs and benefits of combined sewer overflow management strategies at the European scale

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    Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) may represent a significant source of pollution, but they are difficult to quantify at a large scale (e.g. regional or national), due to a lack of accessible data. In the present study, we use a large scale, 6-parameter, lumped hydrological model to perform a screening level assessment of different CSO management scenarios for the European Union and United Kingdom, considering prevention and treatment strategies. For each scenario we quantify the potential reduction of CSO volumes and duration, and estimate costs and benefits. A comparison of scenarios shows that treating CSOs before discharge in the receiving water body (e.g. by constructed wetlands) is more cost-effective than preventing CSOs. Among prevention strategies, urban greening has a benefit/cost ratio one order of magnitude higher than grey solutions, due to the several additional benefits it entails. We also estimate that real time control may bring on average a CSO volume reduction of just above 20%. In general, the design of appropriate CSO management strategies requires consideration of context-specific conditions, and is best made in the context of an integrated urban water management plan taking into account factors such as other ongoing initiatives in urban greening, the possibility to disconnect impervious surfaces from combined drainage systems, and the availability of space for grey or nature-based solutions

    Digitalization and real-time control to mitigate environmental impacts along rivers: Focus on artificial barriers, hydropower systems and European priorities

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    Hydropower globally represents the main source of renewable energy, and provides several benefits, e.g., water storage and flexibility; on the other hand, it may cause significant impacts on the environment. Hence sustainable hydropower needs to achieve a balance between electricity generation, impacts on ecosystems and benefits on society, supporting the achievement of the Green Deal targets. The implementation of digital, information, communication and control (DICC) technologies is emerging as an effective strategy to support such a trade-off, especially in the European Union (EU), fostering both the green and the digital transitions. In this study, we show how DICC can foster the environmental integration of hydropower into the Earth spheres, with focus on the hydrosphere (e.g., on water quality and quantity, hydropeaking mitigation, environmental flow control), biosphere (e.g., improvement of riparian vegetation, fish habitat and migration), atmosphere (reduction of methane emissions and evaporation from reservoirs), lithosphere (better sediment management, reduction of seepages), and on the anthroposphere (e.g., reduction of pollution associated to combined sewer overflows, chemicals, plastics and microplastics). With reference to the abovementioned Earth spheres, the main DICC applications, case studies, challenges, Technology Readiness Level (TRL), benefits and limitations, and transversal benefits for energy generation and predictive Operation and Maintenance (O&M), are discussed. The priorities for the European Union are highlighted. Although the paper focuses primarly on hydropower, analogous considerations are valid for any artificial barrier, water reservoir and civil structure which interferes with freshwater systems.Digitalization and real-time control to mitigate environmental impacts along rivers: Focus on artificial barriers, hydropower systems and European prioritiespublishedVersio
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