Flow analysis around a micro-hydro turbine

Abstract

Currently, small hydropower generators using unutilized hydropower energy are receiving much attention in Japan. As one method using unutilized renewable energy, it focus on power generation through a small hydropower generator. The aim of this study is the development of a highly efficient turbine. This study is to visualize the flow field of a pipe with a small, axial hydro turbine in pipes of small internal diameters, like are present in city water services. In particular, it is an analysis of the flow field around a small, axial hydro turbine focusing on the difference in the number of blades as imaged by a high-speed camera.