Analysis of Gravitational Water Vortex Turbine Performance

Hydropower is one of the renewable energy widely available in countries. The resource of hydropower in a remote area is promising. Many rivers with low heads have not been utilized. Simple construction and low manufacturing cost are necessary to build a hydropower plant in a remote area. Vortex turbine is one hydropower turbine type that can generate electric power with low heads and suitable for remote areas. Vortex turbine is utilizing the water flow kinetic force of a whirlpool and transforms into shaft rotation. In this research, a laboratory-scale vortex turbine power plant was developed. Three different runners made of rust-resistant materials, SS-304, AA-5057, and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), were tested and generated electric power of 3.98 W, 3.47 W, and 3.3 W, respectively. It can turn on a 3 W LED lamp. Compared to the calculated potential hydraulic power of 12.5 Watt, the maximum efficiency is up to 31.8%. The runner weight significantly affects the electric power generated. Havier runner has a more significant moment of inertia, which results in higher torque, ultimately more power, as long as the flowing water can rotate the runner.