Design and Development of a Smart Vortex Turbine

Abstract

The growing demand for clean energy has led many engineers and scientists to find a way to effectively generate and distribute electricity without any carbon footprints. One of the most prominent and widely known methods of generating electricity is Hydropower. One of the leading researches in harvesting energy from low-head water sources is through a gravitational vortex turbine. Gravitational vortex turbine is special type of micro-hydro turbine that relies on the rotational energy of a water vortex. This research delves into techniques required to increase the efficiency of vortex turbines. This project bolsters an extensive design methodology used to finalize a system of smart vortex turbine. It includes a section on CAD modelling and governing equations followed by an ANSYS simulation to predict and study the vortex generated in main tank. The main goal of this project is to achieve a water tight sealing to ensure that generator does not gets damaged. In addition, reducing mechanical losses due to vibrations by using a smaller shaft is one of the set targets of this project. Our mission is prove that electricity can be generated in off the grid communities with low-head water sources by using 3D printing as Pakistan does not have the modern expensive fabrication techniques to manufacture complex geometries. There is a need to look for a cost effective, efficient and green manufacturing method.