Performance Evaluation of a Mini–Vertical Axis Cross Flow Helical Turbine Meant for Energy Extraction from Dam’s Tailrace

Abstract

Research targeting renewable energy harnessing has gained considerable momentum in the past decade, given the decreasing status of fossil fuel reserves. Hydropower generates constitutes the lion's share of renewable energy worldwide. However, they continue to be underutilized. Hydropower generation from tailrace water offers significant prospects for micro-hydro power generation, which, if effectively implemented, can help improve a power grid's rating. The primary purpose of this investigation is to determine the viability of vertical axis cross-flow turbines with helical blades for deployment in such settings. Solidworks was used to model the Gorlov Helical Turbine. The Gorlov Helical Turbine model is simulated using Ansys Fluent. The principal objective is to determine the turbine's performance at a velocity of 2.54 m/s. NACA 4412 was chosen as the helical blade's aerofoil. The study is validated by experimentation using a 3D printed model. According to the simulation and experiment, the power (output) of GH was 1.78 W and 1.24 W, respectively. The turbine's performance was adequate for deployment based on output power Vs tip speed ratio plots. The result substantiates the studies on the effective integration of cross-flow turbines in the tail race of a dam to increase the grid efficiency of Small Hydro Projects.