Analytical Modeling and Performance Evaluation of Gravitational Water Vortex Runner

Abstract

Gravitational Water Vortex Power Plant (GWVPP) needs optimization either in its structure or runner for enhancing power extraction from low pressure head. The study is focused on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis of basin followed by design and analysis of the runner for GWVPP using multiphase analysis. The tapered ratios of the basin were varied with and without changing exit hole and corresponding variations in flow parameters were observed. The design of the runner is based on the methodology that maximum energy can be extracted when the flow strikes the runner perpendicularly. The methodology was applied for obtainining runner profile for basin structure of different tapered ratios. The CFD analysis as well as experimental validation of runner designed for reference basin were carried out. Bronze material was used for the fabrication of the runner for experimental analysis. The maximum efficiency of designed runner was found to 7.93% at 68 rpm from computational analysis while experimentally it was found to be 12.10% at 66 rpm. However, comparison at the same runner speed of 66 rpm, the experimental maximum efficiency was found to be higher by 4.45% than computational efficiency 7.65%.