Dynamic Overflow Leakage In Archimedes Screw Generators

Abstract

The dynamic overflow leakage phenomenon has been introduced in Archimedes screw generator research, but it has not been discussed in the literature in much detail. The authors sought to examine this phenomenon in greater detail by computational fluid dynamic (CFD) studies supported with experimental observations. The CFD results indicated that surface roughness had a significant impact on frictional power losses as well as overflow leakage in Archimedes screws. The results gathered and documented in this study will aide in further performance predicting model development to optimize the design and power production of Archimedes screw generator powerplants. Keywords-Archimedes screw generator; hydrodynamic screw; computational fluid dynamics; microhydro generation; overflow leakage; thin film flow; efficiency; surface roughness