• International Journal of Fluid Machinery and Systems
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.144-151
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• 2013

In this paper, the design method of a low-head propeller-type hydro turbine is studied for various numbers of blades on an axial propeller. We also investigate the relationship between geometrical parameters and internal performance parameters, such as angular velocities (100, 200, 300, 400 rpm) and 2.5~4m low heads through a three-dimensional numerical method with the SST turbulent model. The numerical results showed that the blade number had a more dominant influence than the change in heads and rotational speed on the flow characteristics of the turbine. The distributions of pressure and velocity in the streamwise direction of the propeller turbine were graphically depicted. Especially, the relationship among dimensionless parameters like specific speed ($N_s$), flow coefficient (${\phi}$) and power coefficient (P) were investigated.

• International Journal of Fluid Machinery and Systems
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.243-254
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• 2011

In the present paper, we focus on the flow computation of a low head Propeller turbine at a wide range of design and off-design operating conditions. First, we will present the results on the efficiency hill chart prediction of the Propeller turbine and discuss the consequences of using non-homologous blade geometries for the CFD simulation. The flow characteristics of the entire turbine will be also investigated and compared with experimental data at different measurement planes. Two operating conditions are selected, the first one at the best efficiency point and the second one at part load condition. At the same time, for the same selected operating points, the numerical results for the entire turbine simulation will be compared with flow simulation with our standard stage calculation approach which includes only guide vane, runner and draft tube geometries.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.183-191
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• 2022

A design method for a propeller type rim-driven axial-flow turbine for a micro-hydropower system is presented. The turbine consists of pre-stator, impeller and post-stator, where the pre-stator plays a role as a guide vane to provide circumferential velocity to the on-coming flow, and the impeller as a rotational power generator by absorbing angular momentum of the flow. BEM(Blade Element Method), which is based on the turbine Euler equation, is employed to design the pre-stator and impeller blades. NACA 66 thickness form and a=0.8 mean camber line, which is widely accepted as a marine propeller blade section, is used for the pre-stator and turbine blade section. A CFD method, derived from the discretization of the RANS equations, is applied for the analysis of the designed turbine system. The design conditions of the turbine is confirmed by the CFD calculation. Turbine characteristic curve is calculated by the CFD method, in order to provide the performance characteristics at off-design operation conditions. The proposed procedures for the design of a propeller type rim-driven axial-flow turbine are established and confirmed by the CFD analysis.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.19-29
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• 2014

In addition to the development of micro hydro turbine, the challenge in micro hydro turbine design as sustainable hydro devices is focused on the optimization of turbine runner blade which have decisive effect on the turbine performance to reach higher efficiency. A multi-objective optimization method to optimize the performance of runner blade of propeller turbine for micro turbine has been studied. For the initial design of planar blade cascade, singularity distribution method and the combination of the Bezier curve parametric technology is used. A non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II(NSGA II) is developed based on the multi-objective optimization design method. The comparision with model test show that the blade charachteristics is optimized by NSGA-II has a good efficiency and load distribution. From model test and scale up calculation, the maximum prototype efficiency of the runner blade reaches as high as 90.87%.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.45-56
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• 2015

This paper aims to develop a submerged propeller turbine for micro hydropower plant which allows to sustain high values of efficiency in a broad range of hydrological conditions (H=2~6 m, $Q=0.15{\sim}0.39m^3/s$). The two aspects to be considered in this development are mechanical simplicity and high-efficiency operation. Unlike conventional turbines that have spiral casing and gear box, this is directing driving and no spiral casing. A 10 kW class turbine which has the most high potential of the power generation has been developed. The most important element in the design of turbine is the runner blade. The initial blade is designed using inverse design method and then the runner geometry is modified by classical hydraulic method. The design process is carried out in two steps. First, the blade shape is fix and then other components of submerged propeller turbine are designed. Computational fluid dynamics analyses based on the Navier-Stokes equations have been used to obtain overall performance data for the blade and the full turbine, respectively. The results generated by performance parameters(head, guide vane opening angle and rotational speed) variations are theoretically analysed. The evaluation criteria for the blade and the turbine performances are the pressure distribution and flow's behavior on the runner blades and turbine. The results of simulation reveals an efficiency of 91.5% and power generation of 10.5kW at the best efficiency point at the head of 4m and a discharge of $0.3m^3/s$.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.509-516
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• 2006

The solid-liquid mass transfer coefficients $k_L$ in a gas-liquid-solid three phases agitated vessel were measured with conventional impellers (e.g. Rushton turbine, paddle, and propeller). For the conventional impellers the rotational speed for the complete suspension $N_{js}$ changes with the impeller height and gas flow rate. Mass transfer coefficient of the Rushton turbin impeller, for which the particle suspension was independent of the aeration, is correlated only with Pgv. Mass transfer coefficients $k_L$ for the Rushton turbine, paddle and propeller impellers were affected by the impeller position.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.373-380
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• 2019

In this paper, a pico hydro turbine employing low head circulation water at fish farms is designed and evaluated. Due to the advantages of simple structures, small head requirements, and low-cost investment, the constant thickness propeller turbine is considered as a feasible solution. The design process based on the free vortex method is presented in full detail, and a 4-blade runner is built using BladeGen. The turbine performance is analyzed both numerically and via experimental methods. Despite slight differences, the results show similar trends between CFD simulations and experiments carried out on factory test-rigs in a wide range of working conditions. At the design flow rate, the turbine achieves the best efficiency of 70 %, generating 3.5 kW power when rotating at 420 rpm. The internal flow field, as well as the turbine's behavior, are investigated through the distribution of blade streamlines, pressure, and velocity around the runner. Moreover, the pressure coefficient on the blade surface at 3 span positions is plotted while the head loss for each simulation domain is calculated and displayed by charts.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.379-382
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• 2008

The propeller type hydro turbine model with vertical axis has been tested and analized. The blade angle of runner of turbine model were designed to be varied according to the condition of head and flowrate. When the changes in head and output were comparatively large, the efficiency drop were small, so the efficiency characteristics and stability of the entire operating condition were maintained in good condition. These results showed that the developed model in this study will be suitable for small hydro power stations with large changes in head and load such as sewage treatment plants and agricultural reservoirs.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.171-176
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• 2003

The propeller type hydro turbine model with vertical axis has been tested and analyzed. The blade angle of turbine model were designed to be varied according to the condition of head and flowrate. When the changes in head and output were comparatively large, the efficiency drop were small, so the efficiency characteristics and stability of the entire operating condition were maintained in good condition. These results showed that the developed model in this study will be suitable for small hydro power stations with large changes in head and load such as sewage treatment plants and agricultural reservoirs.

• New & Renewable Energy
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.44-51
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• 2012

The aim of this paper is to examine the hydraulically optimized camber of a blade. Prior studies have tried to determine the sound method of design on small-hydro turbines. These have appeared to realize a reasonably efficient small-hydro turbine. Nonetheless, specific and accurate design data have not as yet been established for the shape of the runner blade. Hence, this study examines the performance characteristic of an axial propeller turbine with 0~8% camber variations. The results of output power, efficiency, and pressure distribution of the turbine are graphically depicted. The definition of camber refers to the NACA airfoil. The commercial finite element analysis (FEA) packages, ANSYS, and CFX are used in this study. The results revealed the performance characteristics on small-hydro turbine and suggested a highly efficient section shape of the runner.