Design, analysis and optimization of

a runner blade in small bulb turbine

Mahesh
Kumar Sambhav
Galgotias University

Contents

Introduction
Objective
Methodology
Model development
Solution
Results
Conclusion
References
2

Introduction
Renewable energy
Small hydropower
Bulb turbine
Modern hydraulic turbine design
Floating type turbine
Figure: A Bulb turbine(2000) of VA Tech
Hydro
3

Objective And Methodology

Design , analysis and optimization of runner blades
for small bulb turbine for maximum power output
Literature review of CFD simulation of the hydro turbine and study of
different models used for the simulation.
3D CAD model generation with help of SolidWorks and ANSYS software.
Numerical simulation of the 3D CAD model with mesh generation and
solving in ANSYS CFX software.
Analysis of the results
4

Model development
s.no

Design variables

values

1.

Number of blades

2.

Diameter of hub

250mm

3.

Pitch angle

4.

Dia. of turbine

5.

Blade length

375mm

6.

Diameter of inlet

1100 mm

Outlet

different angles
1000mm

Inlet

Runner
Blades
A 3D CAD model

Blade & Layer Parameters

S.No

Design variable

value

1.

3D Meanline Length [mm]

193.406

Camber Length [mm]

193.409

Cord Length (C) [mm]

159.627

Meridional Length [m]

150

Pitch Angle [deg.]

20.0

Solidity (C/S)

0.762164

Pitch Cord Ratio

1.31205
Figure 2: Parameter setting of
blade

CFD ANALYSIS
ANSYS 14.5
3D based CFD Analysis
Meshing
Boundary Condition
Physics Setup
Solving
Results obtained

Figure: Analysis of 3 blade turbine

Boundary Condition & Parameter Setting

Inlet velocity

2 [2m/s]

Inlet pressure

1 [atm]

Figure. Inlet boundary

conditions
8

Meshing
ANSYSIS TurboGrid
Nodes

Elements

156200

144936

Element
type

Hexahedr
al

Maximum
Edge
Length
Ratio
634.32

Maximum Element
Volume Ratio

68.2622

Fig, Meshing of turbine

9

Solution
S.no

Parameters

values

1.

Velocity at inlet

2 [m/s]

2.

Torque at hub

3.

Radius

0.5 [m]

4.

Yplus [max]

3348

5.

Material

H2O

6.

Pressure [max]

2470.13 [N m]

104282 [pa]
Fig. simulation of turbine
10

Optimization
CASE
1.

2.

PITCH
ANGLE
20
[Degree]
30
[Degree]

TORQUE [N
m]
1591.3

50
45
40
35
30

2470.13

pitch angles in [deg.] 25

20
15

3.

4.

35
[Degree]
45
[Degree]

2647.3

10
5

2453.9

0
1000

2000

3000

torque [N m]
Pitch angle vs torque Graph
11

Results and discussion

Optimized pitch angle
Maximum Torque

35 [deg.]
2647.03 [N m]

Maximum power estimated 1.83 [KW]

Maximum model frequency

307.67 [Hz]

Final simulation of
turbine
12

Conclusion

For 1m diameter

Velocity input 2[m/s]

CFD analysis

Large output power

utilized flowing river water

Cost effective

Sustainable

Ecofriendly

Fulfill Ruler Energy requirement

13

References
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[2] Owen A, Trevor ML. Tidal current energy: origins and challenges. In: Future energy. Oxford: Elsevier; 2008. p. 111e28.
[3] Mazumder R, Arima M. Tidal rhythmites and their implications. Earth-sci Rev2005;69(1e2):79e95.
[4] Lemonis G, Cutler JC. Wave and tidal energy conversion. In: Encyclopedia of energy. New York: Elsevier; 2004. p. 385e96.
[5] Boyle G. Renewable energy power for a sustainable future. 2nd ed. Berlin Oxford University Press; 2004.

[6] Charlier RH. Forty candles for the Rance River TPP bulb turbine tides provide renewableand sustainable power generation.
Renew Sustain Energy Rev 2007;11(9):032e57.
[7] Chaineux MC, Charlier RH. Women's tidal power plant forty candles for Kislaya Guba TPP. Renew Sustain Energy Rev
2008;12:2515e24.
[8] Gorlov AM. Tidal energy. London: Academic; 2001.
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