AST turbines for Rural Micro-hydro Projects

Archimedes screw turbine system is an optimum method of harnessing the mechanical power of running water especially for rural villages without waterfalls. This is because compared to other turbines, the surface area of the Archimedes screw in contact with the force of the flowing water is much larger therefore more force is converted into rotational force of the AST shaft. Though the shaft of the Archimedes screw turns at a low speed, its high force can be converted to high speed via a gearing system. With further optimization of Archimedes micro-hydroelectricity systems, a "farm" of these devices may turn out to be better than a single large hydroelectric dam. Hydroelectric dams have advantages making them a clear winner compared to other sources of electric power, but the chief disadvantage is the possibility of dam breakage especially for once in a few hundred-year floods. In this research a prototype Archimedes screw turbine micro-hydroelectricity system was built to optimize the constructions and electricity generating capability.