Experimental investigation of a hydraulic turbine for hydrokinetic power generation in irrigation/rainfall channels

Abstract

The development of microchannels with open flow for use in irrigation and rainy areas is challenged by electricity generation via hydrokinetic devices in shallow and low velocity flows. Conventional hydrokinetic turbines are known to be highly dependent on current speed and water depth. Another drawback of conventional turbines is their low efficiency. These shortcomings lead to the need to accelerate the flow in the channel system to enhance the extracted power. The method of deploying a novel turbine configuration in irrigation channels can help overcome the low performance of conventional hydrokinetic turbines. Therefore, this study experimentally presents a bidirectional diffuser-augmented channel that includes dual cross flow/Banki turbines. Results show that the maximum efficiency of the overall system with two turbines is nearly 55.7%. The efficiency is low relative to that of hydraulic turbines. Nevertheless, the result can be considered satisfactory given the low head of the present system. The use of this system will contribute to a highly efficient utilization of flows in rivers and channels for electrical energy generation in rural areas.