Design and performance evaluation of a pump-as-turbine micro-hydro test facility with incorporated inlet flow control |
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| Affiliation: | 1. School of Engineering, The University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia;2. National Centre for Maritime Engineering & Hydrodynamics, Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, 7248, Australia;3. JSA Consulting Engineers, Sandy Bay, Tasmania, 7005, Australia;4. Genesis Energy, Hamilton, Waikato, 3204, New Zealand;1. School of Engineering and Information Technology, Murdoch University, Western Australia, Australia;2. Chair, Africa Research Group, Murdoch University, Western Australia, Australia;1. Department of Energy Engineering, Faculty of Environment and Energy, Tehran Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran;2. Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran;1. South China University of Technology, Wushan Road 381#, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510640, China;2. Jiangsu University, Jiangsu, Xuefu Road 301#, Jingkou District, Zhenjiang 212013, China;1. Dept. of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland;2. School of Business, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland |
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| Abstract: | In the context of micro-hydro power schemes the initial cost of conventional Francis turbine units is often prohibitive. As such there is growing interest in pump-as-turbine (PAT) technology offering a more cost effective, yet still highly efficient, power generating alternative, finding uses in remote area power supply and energy recovery systems. However, the implementation of a PAT is highly problematic in terms of predicting the installed best operating point coupled with poor off-design performance due to the fixed geometry and absence of inlet flow control. In the current work a micro-hydro test facility and turbine unit is developed utilising a commercially available pump impeller together with a customised housing for incorporation of inlet flow control. Working initially from established PAT theory, this paper presents the design and performance testing of a hydraulic turbine unit suitable for use in rural micro-hydro, and energy recovery installations. Maximum efficiency of the unit was found to be 79%, marginally higher than that of the parent pump, while the off-design efficiency offered considerable improvement over previously published data of traditional PAT systems. The design provides a cost effective power generator in comparison to small scale Francis turbines, while providing a greater operational range than traditional PAT units. |
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| Keywords: | Micro-hydro Hydro power Pump-as-turbine Remote area power generation Waste energy recovery systems |
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