Impeller Optimization in Crossflow Hydraulic Turbines

Crossflow turbines represent a valuable choice for energy recovery in aqueducts, due to their constructive simplicity and good efficiency under variable head jump conditions. Several experimental numerical studies concerning the optimal design of crossflow hydraulic have already been proposed, but all them assume that structural safety is fully compatible with sought after geometry. We show first, reference specific study case, geometry most efficient impeller would lead shortly, using blades traditional circular profile made standard material, mechanical failure. A methodology coupled fluid dynamic optimization blade cross-section then proposed. The assumes linear variation curvature external surface, along an iterative use two-dimensional (2D) computational (CFD) 3D finite element method (FEM) simulations. proposed was applied power system (PRS) turbine installed operating water transport network finally validated CFD simulation FEM analysis entire impeller.