COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ARCHIMEDEAN MICRO HYDRO SCREW TURBINE USING ANALYTICAL METHODS

Abstract

This study presents a comparative analysis between Archimedean screw turbine design and a modified turbine design. The research investigates the impact of two critical design parameters: turbine length and number of blades, on the performance of the turbine. This study utilizes a turbine length of 0.96 m and 3 blades, whereas the modified design features an enhanced turbine length of 1.524 m and 7 blades, aiming to improve energy extraction efficiency and power output. Analytical methods were employed to evaluate key performance metrics, including hydraulic power, mechanical power, electrical power, and efficiency. The analysis was conducted under similar flow rates (0.05, 0.11, 0.17 m³/s) and head conditions 4.2. The results demonstrate that the modified turbine achieves significantly higher power output due to the extended interaction of water with the turbine and improved water capture efficiency. For instance, at a flow rate of 0.11m³/s the hydraulic power increased from 2855.6 to 4532.2 and the electrical power increased from 747.7 to 2773.7. The study underscores the importance of turbine design modifications in optimizing power output for low-head hydroelectric applications and highlights the potential of Archimedean screw turbines in meeting rural energy demands. This study contributes to the body of knowledge on small-scale hydroelectric systems, offering insights into design improvements for enhanced energy efficiency and sustainability in micro-hydro applications.