Effect of Blade Profile on Flow Characteristics and Efficiency of Cross-Flow Turbines
This study presents a comprehensive numerical investigation into the influence of blade profile geometry on the internal flow dynamics and hydraulic performance of Cross-Flow Turbines (CFTs) under varying runner speeds. Four blade configurations, flat, round, sharp, and aerodynamic, were systematica...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | Energies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/12/3203 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1839654167922081792 |
|---|---|
| author | Ephrem Yohannes Assefa Asfafaw Haileselassie Tesfay |
| author_facet | Ephrem Yohannes Assefa Asfafaw Haileselassie Tesfay |
| author_sort | Ephrem Yohannes Assefa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study presents a comprehensive numerical investigation into the influence of blade profile geometry on the internal flow dynamics and hydraulic performance of Cross-Flow Turbines (CFTs) under varying runner speeds. Four blade configurations, flat, round, sharp, and aerodynamic, were systematically evaluated using steady-state, two-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. The Shear Stress Transport (SST) k–ω turbulence model was employed to resolve the flow separation, recirculation, and turbulence across both energy conversion stages of the turbine. The simulations were performed across runner speeds ranging from 270 to 940 rpm under a constant head of 10 m. The performance metrics, including the torque, hydraulic efficiency, water volume fraction, pressure distribution, and velocity field characteristics, were analyzed in detail. The aerodynamic blade consistently outperformed the other geometries, achieving a peak efficiency of 83.5% at 800 rpm, with improved flow attachment, reduced vortex shedding, and lower exit pressure. Sharp blades also demonstrated competitive efficiency within a narrower optimal speed range. In contrast, the flat and round blades exhibited higher turbulence and recirculation, particularly at off-optimal speeds. The results underscore the pivotal role of blade edge geometry in enhancing energy recovery, suppressing flow instabilities, and optimizing the stage-wise performance in CFTs. These findings offer valuable insights for the design of high-efficiency, site-adapted turbines suitable for micro-hydropower applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a3c21a41f47f4334831f50bbe99cfab8 |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-a3c21a41f47f4334831f50bbe99cfab82025-06-25T13:45:57ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-06-011812320310.3390/en18123203Effect of Blade Profile on Flow Characteristics and Efficiency of Cross-Flow TurbinesEphrem Yohannes Assefa0Asfafaw Haileselassie Tesfay1School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ethiopian Institute of Technology, Mekelle, Mekelle University, Mekelle P.O. Box 231, EthiopiaSchool of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ethiopian Institute of Technology, Mekelle, Mekelle University, Mekelle P.O. Box 231, EthiopiaThis study presents a comprehensive numerical investigation into the influence of blade profile geometry on the internal flow dynamics and hydraulic performance of Cross-Flow Turbines (CFTs) under varying runner speeds. Four blade configurations, flat, round, sharp, and aerodynamic, were systematically evaluated using steady-state, two-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. The Shear Stress Transport (SST) k–ω turbulence model was employed to resolve the flow separation, recirculation, and turbulence across both energy conversion stages of the turbine. The simulations were performed across runner speeds ranging from 270 to 940 rpm under a constant head of 10 m. The performance metrics, including the torque, hydraulic efficiency, water volume fraction, pressure distribution, and velocity field characteristics, were analyzed in detail. The aerodynamic blade consistently outperformed the other geometries, achieving a peak efficiency of 83.5% at 800 rpm, with improved flow attachment, reduced vortex shedding, and lower exit pressure. Sharp blades also demonstrated competitive efficiency within a narrower optimal speed range. In contrast, the flat and round blades exhibited higher turbulence and recirculation, particularly at off-optimal speeds. The results underscore the pivotal role of blade edge geometry in enhancing energy recovery, suppressing flow instabilities, and optimizing the stage-wise performance in CFTs. These findings offer valuable insights for the design of high-efficiency, site-adapted turbines suitable for micro-hydropower applications.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/12/3203cross-flow turbineblade profilehydraulic efficiencyinternal flowCFD and micro-hydropower |
| spellingShingle | Ephrem Yohannes Assefa Asfafaw Haileselassie Tesfay Effect of Blade Profile on Flow Characteristics and Efficiency of Cross-Flow Turbines Energies cross-flow turbine blade profile hydraulic efficiency internal flow CFD and micro-hydropower |
| title | Effect of Blade Profile on Flow Characteristics and Efficiency of Cross-Flow Turbines |
| title_full | Effect of Blade Profile on Flow Characteristics and Efficiency of Cross-Flow Turbines |
| title_fullStr | Effect of Blade Profile on Flow Characteristics and Efficiency of Cross-Flow Turbines |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of Blade Profile on Flow Characteristics and Efficiency of Cross-Flow Turbines |
| title_short | Effect of Blade Profile on Flow Characteristics and Efficiency of Cross-Flow Turbines |
| title_sort | effect of blade profile on flow characteristics and efficiency of cross flow turbines |
| topic | cross-flow turbine blade profile hydraulic efficiency internal flow CFD and micro-hydropower |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/12/3203 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ephremyohannesassefa effectofbladeprofileonflowcharacteristicsandefficiencyofcrossflowturbines AT asfafawhaileselassietesfay effectofbladeprofileonflowcharacteristicsandefficiencyofcrossflowturbines |