Performance and Internal Flow Characteristics of a Cross-Flow Hydro Turbine by the Shapes of Nozzle and Runner Blade

Abstract

Recently, small hydropower attracts attention because of its clean, renewable and abundant energy resources to develop. Therefore, a cross-flow hydraulic turbine is proposed for small hydropower in this study because the turbine has relatively simple structure and high possibility of applying to small hydropower. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the turbine's structural configuration on the performance and internal flow characteristics of the cross-flow turbine model using CFD analysis. The results show that nozzle shape, runner blade angle and runner blade number are closely related to the performance and internal flow of the turbine. Moreover, air layer in the turbine runner plays very important roles of improving the turbine performance.