Do you have any more details about schemes where a boat propeller was used or modified for use for a low-head turbine?
I am currently working on a project to develop a design method for cost-effective manufacture of propeller turbines in the pico-hydropower range (ie 0-5kW). The focus so far on the method of manufacture for the runner has been to cut the blade shape from flat sheet steel and then bend and twist into the desired geometry using some heat and hammer. From computer simulations conducted so far it doesn't appear that much efficiency is lost by using constant thickness blades as opposed to profiled blades, as long as the pitch angles and twist are designed correctly for the site conditions (head, flow rate, operating speed). These will hopefully be confirmed soon with field testing of a prototype turbine. The overall aim of the project is to develop a design manual and software that can be used for the design of low-head propeller turbines for use in developing countries. Any other comments, advice or potential case studies etc.... would be most welcome. Robert Simpson -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 05 September 2005 22:12 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [microhydro] boat propellers as runners Boat propellors definately do work in micro hydro. If you machine the rounded tips off a bit , they are even better. Add some pre swirl vanes, or a scroll case and you have a low cost approach [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Does your company feature in the microhydro business directory at http://microhydropower.net/directory ? If not, please register free of charge and be exposed to the microhydro community world wide! NOTE: The advertisements in this email are added by Yahoogroups who provides us with free email group services. The microhydro-group does not endorse products or support the advertisements in any way. More information on micro hydropower at http://microhydropower.net To unsubscribe: send empty message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/FGYolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Does your company feature in the microhydro business directory at http://microhydropower.net/directory ? If not, please register free of charge and be exposed to the microhydro community world wide! NOTE: The advertisements in this email are added by Yahoogroups who provides us with free email group services. The microhydro-group does not endorse products or support the advertisements in any way. More information on micro hydropower at http://microhydropower.net To unsubscribe: send empty message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/microhydro/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
