Theoretical Experimental and Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Hydromatrix Turbine : A Study on Jebel

Abstract

The purpose of this study is both to further optimize the investigation and to improve the hydromatrix turbine performance (Jebel Aulia Dam). Optimization of the turbine efficiency has been made by the analysis of the turbine performance with the variation of the blade length and number using a commercial CFD code (Fluent 6.3 2003). The results show that length and number of the runner blade give considerable effect on the performance of the turbine Mathematical modeling technology application in turbomachinery design is a powerful tool for equipment optimization from the design phase, shortening the realization cycle. The conservation equations governing the flow in the model runner blades were solved by the prediction techniques and the computer program (Fluent 6.3 2003) using standard turbulent model. A performance prediction code for hydromatrix turbine based on these governing equations and loss models is developed and performance results are compared with design data. A generalized design procedure for number and length runner blades is proposed in this work. Resulting in the creation of runner blade number optimization in an attempt to maximize the turbine efficiency of the entire turbine. Finally a comparison was made between the experimental results and the computer program predictions for each case to ensure that the program has a good prediction to turbulent flow, the standard (k – ε) Model was the good turbulent modeling which gives a good value with smallest error compared with the experimental as shown in comparison figures.