2005 Volume 33 Issue 10 Pages 614-621
To slow the global warming, greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced in the electric power generation. Though the hydroelectric source has the least unit requirement of CO2 gas emissions among various electric power resources, a large-scale dam-oriented hydro-power is not regarded as desirable due to its significant impact on natural ecosystem in rivers and/or forests. In such a situation, the authors have proposed the new type hydraulic turbine, named "Gyro-Type Hydraulic Turbine". The turbine rotor is composed of several blades with high aspect ratio and is submerged nearly parallel to the stream. Thus, it is suitable for shallow streams. From this study, the following features are found out: The maximum torque/output is at higher rotational speed, which is desirable as the turbine performance for the micro hydroelectric power generation, and the output can be improved with the twisted blades.
