• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.104-108
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• 2012

Recently, small scale hydropower needs to be developed due to its clean, renewable and abundant energy resources. However, suitable draft of hydro-turbine body in combination with differences in wheel blade shapes is not determined yet in the range of small hydropower and it is necessary to study for the effective draft in combination with type. Therefore, watermill shaped of 250mm diameter. hydro-turbine aiming 20 watt class generator is adopted in this study because of its simple structure and high possibility of applying to small hydropower. The result shows that effective draft for the turbine body is variable concerning the size of turbine and flow rate of water. Thus, the difference of water depth between fore and aft turbine body contributes to the increase of torque, angular momentum and power output.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.363-370
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• 2013

Small scale hydropower is one of most attractive and cost-effective energy technologies for installation within sewage treatment plants. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of a semi-kaplan micro-hydropower (MHP) system for application to sewage treatment plants with high flow fluctuations and a low head. The semi-kaplan MHP is equipped with an adjustable runner blade, and is without a guide vane, so as to reduce the incidence of mechanical problems. A MHP rating 13.4 kWp with a semi-kaplan turbine has been considered for Kiheung Respia sewage treatment plant, and this installation is estimated to generate 86.8 MWh of electricity annually, which is enough to supply electricity to over 25 households, and equivalent to an annual reduction of 49 ton $CO_2$. The semi-kaplan turbine showed a 90.2% energy conversion efficiency at the design flow rate of 0.35 $m^3/s$ and net head of 4.7 m, and was adaptable to a wide range of flow fluctuations. Through the MHP operation, approximately 2.1% of total electricity demand of Kiheung Respia sewage treatment plant will be achievable. Based on financial analysis, an exploiting MHP is considered economically acceptable with an internal rate of return of 6.1%, net present value of 15,539,000 Korean Won, benefit-cost ratio of 1.08, and payback year of 15.5, respectively, if initial investment cost is 200,000,000 Korean Won.