Performance Enhancement of the Guiding Apparatus in a Nozzle-Type Reaction Micro Hydropower Turbine

Abstract

The study addresses the utilization of low-pressure water sources for electricity generation as an important approach to ensuring sustainable energy supply in rural and remote areas. Conventional turbines experience high energy losses, frequent cavitation phenomena, and reduced service life under low-pressure conditions. To overcome these challenges, this research focuses on improving the internal guiding mechanism of a nozzle-type reactive micro-hydroturbine to enhance efficiency, minimize energy losses, and extend operational durability. The main objective is to design and develop a conical confusor-based internal guiding mechanism with optimized blades and to assess its influence on flow stability and efficiency through CFD modeling and experimental verification. The research employs a comprehensive methodology combining analytical analysis, mathematical modeling, and experimental testing. Bernoulli’s equations were applied to determine flow velocity and energy losses, while CFD modeling was performed using COMSOL Multiphysics 6.1 software based on the RANS method with a k–ε turbulence model. Flow velocity and pressure distribution were analyzed, and a 500 W prototype of the hydroturbine was experimentally tested under 2–6 meters of water head on a specially designed laboratory stand. The results contribute to improving the performance and operational stability of micro-hydroturbines designed for low-pressure water sources, promoting the wider implementation of sustainable energy technologies in decentralized power systems.