Session: 41-01 Small-scale Wind Turbines

Paper Number: 151576

Effects of Blade Number on Power Output in Kaplan Hydro Turbines 

As the demand for clean energy grows due to rising environmental concerns and the expected depletion of fossil fuels, finding sustainable solutions has become essential. Hydropower, one of the oldest renewable energy sources, remains the second largest global contributor to clean energy production. Micro hydro systems, which can generate up to 100 kW, hold significant promise for enhancing the efficiency of hydropower generation. This study focuses on optimizing the performance of micro Kaplan turbines by examining how the number of blades affects power generation and overall efficiency. We employ a combination of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and experimental testing to validate our findings. We investigate different blade counts (from 3 to 8 blades in both rotor and stator) with a rotational speed between 800RPM to 2400 RPM  and analyze their impact on the turbine's hydrodynamic behavior, particularly in reducing flow separation and turbulence across various flow rates. This study presents the best possible ratio of blade count on the stator and rotor that maximizes power output while minimizing energy losses and manufacturing complications related to the cavitation phenomenon. By optimizing the number of turbine blades, this research fills a critical gap in current knowledge by offering practical insights to enhance the overall performance of micro hydro systems, making them more efficient and effective for sustainable clean energy production.

 

Presenting Author: Kada Kada University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Presenting Author Biography: Research Assistant

Authors:

Kada Kada University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Areej Khalil University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Mohamed Abousabae University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Cheikh Kada University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Mohamed Maache University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Ryo Amano University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee