Experimental study of positive displacement hydraulic turbine at various temperatures and development of empirical co-relation for flowrate prediction. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sonawat, Arihant; Yang, Hyeon-Mo; Kim, Jin-Hyuk
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 172(2021)
• Page Start: 1293
• Page End: 1300
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: Renewable energy -- Positive displacement hydraulic turbine -- Empirical co-relation -- Experimental analysis -- Micro and pico hydropower; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.03.118
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: Positive displacement hydraulic turbine (PDT) is a new class of turbine, capable of effectively generating micro and Pico hydro power for low specific speed applications. This type of turbine is not very popular and hence, it is interesting to research on it. With the rising concerns of environmental pollution, climate change and global warming, emphasis is laid to harness power from renewable energy sources. Micro and Pico hydro turbines are actively researched to generate clean power in addition to the existing conventional turbines. PDT was designed and developed to replace the pressure differential control valves in the hot water supply system and utilize the surplus differential head to generate power and make the system energy efficient. In the present work, experimental studies were conducted on the developed PDT at the designed rotational speed with water at 15, 50 and 110 °C and various differential heads ranging from low to high. The performance data showed the effect of fluid properties on the performance of the PDT due to the change in the temperature of the working fluid. Also, empirical co-relation was developed based on dependent variables using Buckingham π-theorem to predict the flowrate through the PDT at various heads and temperatures. This could help engineers, in future, for designing a new turbine for harnessing micro and Pico hydropower for any application. Highlights: Performance analysis of PDT using experimental studies. Effect of change in fluid properties at higher heads and temperatures on the performance of PDT. Development of non-dimensional relationship between various variables using Buckingham π-theorem. Development of empirical co-relation for flowrate prediction at all conditions.