Investigation of the main characteristics of the straight flow hydro turbine

Abstract

In this paper the results of the research conducted with the aim to determine the effective version of hydro wheel blades of straight flow hydro turbine are presented. The increasing of energy efficiency of hydro turbine is directly related to the configuration of blades. Investigation is performed in the COMSOL Multiphysics application program with numerical method. Navier-Stokes equations describe motion of water flow. Numerical research of flow is performed using Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes method. The optimal attack angle of water on hydro turbine blades is determined, optimal location of the blades, changing of velocity and pressure distribution of water through hydro turbine blades are investigated. Lift and drag forces, coefficients acting on the blades are defined. Based on the results of the research, the optimal configurations of the hydro turbine blades with high energy efficiency are determined.