A study on Darrieus-type hydroturbine toward utilization of extra-low head natural flow streams

Abstract

A two-dimensional Darrieus-type hydroturbine system, installed with a wear for flow streams such as small rivers and waterways, has been developed for hydropower utilization of extra-low head less than 2m. There are several problems such as flow rate change and flowing wastes to be solved for its practical use in natural flow streams. In the present study, at first, a design guideline in the case of overflow or bypass flow is shown by using simple flow model. Next, in order to avoid the unexpected obstacles flowing into the hydroturbine, an installation of waste screening system is examined. It is confirmed that the screen is effective with some amount of bypass flow rate, however the output power is remarkably deteriorated.