Research and Development of 49 mm Diameter Contra-Rotating Small Hydroturbine

Abstract

Researches of in-line small hydroturbines smaller than 100 mm diameter are less conducted and a small hydroturbine that can be used for pipe lines of agricultural water which is small as 2 inches diameter, is not exist. Therefore, we started the research and development of the small hydroturbine based on our basic research of the contra-rotating small hydroturbine. Field tests to measure the theoretical power and observe foreign materials of the pipe line in Tokushima Prefecture were carried out. The numerical analysis with the simple model of 50 mm diameter rotor was conducted to check the possibility to apply the contra-rotating small hydroturbine to the pipe line and the performance and flow conditions in wide flow rates were clarified. After that, the small hydroturbine system having 49 mm diameter rotor for the field test was established and the power generation test was conducted at our laboratory. Our research and development process of the 49 mm diameter contra-rotating small hydroturbine is shown in this paper.