CONSTRUCTION AND TESTING OF A CROSSFLOW MICRO-HYDROPOWER TURBINE

Abstract

Micro-hydropower technology has established contributions in the provision of modern energy for rural communities of several developing countries where the resources are available. However, Nigeria has not been able to utilized these resources to combat the shortage of electrical energy in most of its rural communities where the potentials had already been identified. In order to successfully implement the development of micro hydropower for rural energy supply, certain measures need to be put in place. This research proffered some of the solutions by identifying and developing simplified technology for the construction of micro hydro turbines with high efficiency and low cost. This research work comprises of experimental studies of the cross-flow turbineconducted at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. A dedicated test rig was designed and constructed using existing facility at the Boiler Room of the Heat Engine laboratory of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, ABU, Zaria. Locally sourced materials and technology were used for the construction in order to ensure easy replication and maintenance. Two standard orifice plates were designed, developed and installed on the turbine supply pipeline for the purpose of measuring the differential pressure, hence the flowrate across the turbine. A Rope Brake dynamometer was also designed, constructed and installed on the turbine base for loading the turbine at various speeds. The existing pipeline that includes a 10Hp centrifugal pump was re-configured to include three additional portable centrifugal pumps operating in parallel, 3-, 4- and 6-inches pipe network, 6 and 4-inch butterfly valves and pressurized tank for simulating various pressure heads and flow.

KEYWORDS: Micro-hydropower, centrifugal pump,test rig, cross-flow turbine, orifice plates