Investigation of Archimedean Screw Turbine for Optimal Power Output by Varying Number of Blades

Archimedes Screw Turbine (AST) is specifically used in low head and high rate run of river power plants. Dimensions and hence power output of AST are dependent on many site parameters. Among these parameters number of blades is of paramount importance. In addition, there is no appropriate model for the optimal design of AST. Keeping in view this problem, this research work presents Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis on 3-D model numerical simulation of the flow of water in steady turbulent in the passage of an Archimedes screw turbine. Performances of parameters under varying number of blades are analyzed using fluid flow code in ANSYS. Multiple designs are investigated for a selected site's data, and results are represented in the terms of pressure, torque, mechanical power and efficiency. A new analytical model is designed, investigated and all output parameters are determined to achieve the maximum power output.