Author(s)

Isack Amos Legonda

Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

A study on the flow characteristics in the cross-flow turbine model T15 300 has been conducted. The study was designed to examine the fluid flow trajectory in the turbine and identify areas for further improvement. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach was employed and the results were compared with experimental data. The simulation study was conducted at guide vane angle of 20^o, 30^o, 35^o and 41^o. The shaft diameter was set at 30 mm, 45 mm, 60 mm, and 75 mm for each head while the head was maintained at 50 m. The flow characteristics were determined using particles trajectory. The research findings showed that the optimal vane angle and shaft diameter for cross-flow turbine were 41^o and 45 mm respectively. These results are in good agreement with experimental data from previous studies.

Cross-Flow Turbine, CFD, Hydropower

Legonda, I. (2016) An Investigation on the Flow Characteristics in the Cross-Flow Turbine-T15 300. Journal of Power and Energy Engineering, 4, 52-60. doi: 10.4236/jpee.2016.49005.