Operating Characteristics of Darrieus-Type Cross-Flow Water Turbine and Numerical Simulations for Self-Starting Process

Abstract

Model tests were carried out for an ultralow-head hydropower system, consisting of a two dimensional ducted water turbine of Darrieus-type and an electric generator. Self-starting and moving processes from rest to any operating point were investigated experimentally under various loading conditions for the generator. In the present study these processes are simulated numerically by solving one-dimensional equations which govern the hydropower system, using evaluated steady characteristics of the runner and the generator. The matching problem of both characteristics is discussed for higher system efficiency. A control method with a sluice valve to keep the operating condition constant is examined tentatively by numerical simulation.