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Design and performance evaluation of a pump-as-turbine micro-hydro test facility with incorporated inlet flow control
Citation
Giosio, DR and Henderson, AD and Walker, JM and Brandner, PA and Sargison, JE and Gautam, P, Design and performance evaluation of a pump-as-turbine micro-hydro test facility with incorporated inlet flow control, Renewable Energy, 78 pp. 1-6. ISSN 0960-1481 (2015) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2015 Elsevier
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.renene.2014.12.027
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.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | micro-hydro, hydro power, pump-as-turbine, power generation |
| Research Division: | Engineering |
| Research Group: | Mechanical Engineering |
| Research Field: | Energy Generation, Conversion and Storage Engineering |
| Objective Division: | Energy |
| Objective Group: | Renewable Energy |
| Objective Field: | Hydro-Electric Energy |
| Author: | Giosio, DR (Dr Dean Giosio) |
| Author: | Henderson, AD (Dr Alan Henderson) |
| Author: | Walker, JM (Dr Jessica Walker) |
| Author: | Brandner, PA (Professor Paul Brandner) |
| ID Code: | 97971 |
| Year Published: | 2015 |
| Funding Support: | Australian Research Council (LP110200244) |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 17 |
| Deposited By: | Engineering |
| Deposited On: | 2015-01-23 |
| Last Modified: | 2017-11-06 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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