Zuppinger water wheel for very low-head hydropower application

Shakun Paudel, Martin Weber, Dirk Geyer, Nicole Saenger

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Very low-head hydropower sites are abundantly available on small rivers, streams, irrigation canals, headworks or at wastewater facilities. However, lack of economically and ecologically viable technologies has been impeding these sites from being utilised for hydropower. The Zuppinger water wheel, with its high efficiencies over a wide operating range, is a potential device for very low head applications. The efficiencies of around 75% quoted in the literature reflect that there still exists a potential to improve the wheel performance through a better understanding of the flow physics around the wheel. For this reason, a testrig with a Zuppinger water wheel model and a non-intrusive velocity measurement technique, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) is developed. In this paper, the experimental set-up, PIV instrumentation, and the special requirements on the set-up imposed by the water wheel are discussed and preliminary results are presented.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication10th International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Environment Protection
Subtitle of host publicationMarine and Hydro Power
EditorsJurij Krope, Abdul Ghani Olabi, Darko Goričanec, Stanislav Božičnik
PublisherUniversity of Maribor Press
Pages25-34
Number of pages10
ISBN (Print)9789612860554
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Jul 2017
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameSEEP
PublisherUniversity of Maribor Press

Keywords

  • PIV
  • hydropower
  • very low-head
  • Zuppinger
  • water wheel

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