Effect of the number of blades on undershot waterwheel performance for straight blades. Issue 1 (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Adanta, Dendy; Agil Fadhel Kurnianto, Muhamad; Warjito, ; Nasution, Sanjaya BS; Budiarso,
• Is Part Of: IOP conference series. Volume 431:Issue 1(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: Earth sciences -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Congresses; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; 550.5
• DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/431/1/012024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-1307

Abstract

Abstract: Access to electricity in Indonesia is limited due to the remote area of the community. In the modern era, electricity is a primary necessity and indicator of welfare. To overcome this problem, using renewable energy resources in the remote areas of Indonesia is an appropriate alternative. Based on this condition, the pico hydro-type undershot waterwheel is suitable to be used in Indonesia, because undershot waterwheels are appropriate for low head conditions or low river flow. This study will examine the effect of different blade numbers on the performance of undershot waterwheels for straight blades. There are four blade number variations: 8, 12, 16, and 20. The computational fluid dynamic method was used because it can visualise the flow pattern with more detail than other methods. Activating six degrees of freedom is needed to predict the rotational speed of the turbine's interaction with the water and blade. Based on the results, 20 blades produced higher efficiency than others. However, the 8 blades had a stable performance and produced higher rotational speed than the other. The empirical equation for determining the number of blades of undershot waterwheels adopted by the Pelton turbine is correct.