SPIRAL-BUCKET HYDRO TURBINE FOR MICRO HYDROPOWER PLANTS

The development of mini and micro hydropower plants is particularly relevant in Ukraine, as it promotes localized and sustainable energy at the community level. A wide variety of hydraulic turbines are used in large and small hydropower plants, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. This publication examines the design of the spiral-bucket hydro turbine, which ensures safe conditions for fish migration through the turbine due to the special geometry of its blades. After creating the first working prototype of the spiral-bucket hydro turbine with a diameter of 0.4 m, a capacity of 1.7 kW, and a flow rate of 0.216 m³/s, experimental studies were conducted. These studies revealed that an important characteristic of the turbine is its ability to operate at low flow velocities and minimal hydrostatic head.