HYDROACTION

Development and laboratory testing of improved action and Matrix hydro turbines designed by advanced analysis and optimization tools

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The overall concept of the proposed project is to improve the hydraulic efficiency of small action type turbines, through the development and application of a numerical optimization methodology, that will be validated by the construction and laboratory testing of the prototype models of Pelton, Turgo and Matrix turbines representing both action and reaction types. The methodology to be developed regards the adaptation and application of the Lagrangian Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics model for the simulation of the flow. The application of the innovative design tool is expected to achieve an average increase in small action and Matrix hydro turbines efficiency of the order of 3 to 5%. The flow analysis software to be implemented is characterised as cost effective and capable of fast processing of multi-parametric flows, whereas the optimization strategy will be based on Evolutionary Algorithms, resulting in enhanced economic feasibility of the proposed design procedure. The investigation of three different types of small hydro turbines will demonstrate the wide application range of the new methodology and evaluate its generality. The S&T objectives of the project are: Adaptation and application of the Lagrangian Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics model for the simulation of the flow in the action turbines to be investigated; Finding the most efficient geometry parameterization method for each of the three turbine types; Development of a multilevel optimization method based on the Evolutionary Algorithms System software; Specification, selection and set-up of the hardware and software computational platform; Finding the optimal design of the runner and other components for the three turbine types considered by applying the developed methodology; Prototype turbine models manufacturing according to the results of the design optimization procedure; Evaluation of the new design tools after thorough experimental analysis of the prototype turbine models.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

European researchers are developing a methodology for low-cost hydro turbines of up to 5 megawatts, which are more efficient than currently available models.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The productivity and costs of tailor-made, small hydro turbines should be improved by 3-5% through the application of a numerical optimisation methodology currently being designed by EU-funded scientists.

Having received positive feedback from small EU hydro companies about the need for such a project, the research team selected different parameterisation methods for each turbine type, with best features concerning both the design flexibility and the cost-effective applicability for optimisation.

The team behind the Hydroaction project then selected flow simulation tools, which involved adopting and applying the 'Lagrangian smoothed particle hydrodynamics' model. Thirdly, the team adopted hierarchical, distributed and meta-model assisted evolutionary algorithms to accelerate the optimisation of turbine design.

The team noted that preliminary performance was satisfactory, and has continued with the construction and adaptation of three test rigs for the prototype turbine models, namely the action type turbines Pelton and Turgo, as well as the reaction type Matrix turbine.

The researchers believe that within 30 years most small action turbines installed in Europe could take advantage of the project results, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of European companies and the EU in general.