Shape Effect of Inlet Nozzle and Draft Tube on the Performance and Internal Flow of Cross-Flow Hydro Turbine

Small hydropower is a reliable energy technology to be considered for providing clean electricity generation. Producing electrical energy by small hydropower is the most efficient contribution to renewable energy. Cross-flow turbine is adopted primarily because of its simple structure and high possibility of applying to small hydropower. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of inlet nozzle shape on the performance and internal flow of a cross-flow turbine for small hydropower by CFD analysis. Moreover, the shape effect of draft tube has been investigated according to modified shapes of the length and the diffuse angle. The results show that relatively narrow and converging inlet nozzle shape gives better effect on the performance of the turbine.