Analysis of the Effect of Blade Thickness on Propeller Water Turbine Performance Using Computational Fluid Dynamic

Abstract

One of hydropower on lowest scale namely propeller pico-hydro, the turbine has a light workload so that allows it to be made from polymer with 3D printing manufacturing. The design of the propeller, the concerned the axial load which results in failure. A failure of designing the dimensions of the propeller turbine with polymer materials causes a fracture in the blades. This study aims to analyze the effect of blade thickness on the performance of a propeller water turbine. Data collection this study uses numerical simulation through computational fluid dynamics using SolidWorks Flow Simulation with the blade thickness variable used 1 to 3 mm with a fillet size 1.5 mm. Based on the results, the thickness of the blade affects the value of static torque. At a blade thickness of 2 mm, it shows the most optimal torque value compared to a thickness value below or above 2 mm.