Optimization of Free-Flow Water Turbine of Pico-Hydropower Using Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis

The increasing global demand for sustainable energy solutions has driven research into pico-hydropower systems as an efficient and environmentally friendly method for harnessing renewable energy. This study focuses on the optimization of free-flow water turbine applications using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. Free-flow turbines, which operate in rivers or channels without the need for large-scale infrastructure, offer significant advantages in terms of cost, ecological impact, and ease of deployment. The research employs advanced CFD techniques to evaluate and enhance the performance of a turbine under various conditions. Key design parameters, including water flow rates of 2 L/s, water heads of less 5 m, turbine diameters of 0.75 m and 1 m, nozzle sizes at 10 mm, 12 mm and 15 mm and the pipe diameters setting of 0.75 inch and 1 inch. Optimization algorithms are integrated with CFD simulations to identify the most efficient configurations. The findings reveal the critical role of hydrodynamic optimization in improving the energy conversion efficiency of pico-hydropower turbines. The results identified the 1 m turbine with 0.75 inch pipe size at 12 mm nozzle diameter give the optimal design, achieving a maximum power out at 100 W with 5 m and 3 m water head. The optimized turbine design demonstrated a significant improvement in performance compared to existing models, validating the potential of CFD as a powerful tool for innovation in hydropower technology.