Computational Flow Analysis on a Real Scale Run-of-River Archimedes Screw Turbine with a High Incline Angle

Computational Flow Analysis on a Real Scale Run-of-River Archimedes Screw Turbine with a High Incline Angle

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The Archimedes screw turbine (AST) is the most sustainable mini-hydropower extraction method that offers number of economic, social, and environmental advantages.Nowadays, many researchers are interested in AST development as it is considered a new technology.Currently, a lot of researchers are conducting experimental testing of the screws, comparing their reliability with computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analyses.

Almost all of them are lab-scale testing models that claiming an average 80% efficiency for low pitch angles.In the case of a real site with a small inclination angle, the length of the screw Metal Arc Lamp (1/CN) is large enough to cause severe problems, specially related to bending of the screw.Therefore, this research was conducted to analyze the CFD flow field in a real site-scale AST with the maximum possible inclination of Spatulas 45 degrees.

In addition, the design was done without the upper and lower reservoir as it was conceived as a run-of-river flow system.The simulated real scale AST result showed a maximum efficiency of around 82% for a 5.2 m hydraulic head and 0.

232 m3/s discharge.Many researchers claim above 80% efficiency for low inclination angle ASTs with reservoirs.This CFD study indicates that even higher inclination angle ASTs can achieve 80% efficiency in run-of-river; real-scale applications.