Abstract
The current research aims to analyse the effect of the number and shape of the blades and the curvature of the flume bottom on the performance curves of undershot water wheels, based on experimental tests conducted in a fully instrumented laboratory facility. Six wheels are tested: four wheels with plane blades (16, 24, 36, 48) and two with 24 curved blades for two flume bottom configurations. Torque, mechanical power and mechanical efficiency performance curves are determined for several rotational speed and flow rate values. Results demonstrate that the maximum efficiency is achieved for the 36-plane blade wheel, the curved flume bottom reduces water losses under the wheel and increases efficiency, and the blades’ shape strongly influences the wheel efficiency. Non-dimensional performance curves are provided to generalise the results. This research provides relevant contributions towards the development of a low-cost energy recovery solution to be applied in water infrastructures.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 28-50 |
| Number of pages | 23 |
| Journal | Urban Water Journal |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-careOtherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.
Keywords
- experimental tests
- hydropower
- mechanical power
- Water wheels