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ABSTRACT
This article presents an innovative analytical model to correctly evaluate the performance of a paddle wheel in generating electricity from moving fluid (water). The deficiencies of current analytical model in evaluating such performance are pointed out and overcome by the developed analytical algorithm. Important factors that affect the performance of paddle wheel, such as the drag force, relative velocity, efficiency curve of generator, are considered in the developed method. Next, computer simulations are performed. The computer simulation results agreed very well with the analytical results calculated following the presented approach. The presented analytical method and computational techniques can be extended to estimate the performance of other hydroelectricity devices in the early design stage.
| Nomenclature | ||
| A | = | Wetted area of vertical paddle, m2 |
| A; | = | Wetted Area of slanted paddle, m2 |
| CD | = | Drag coefficient |
| CL | = | Lift coefficient |
| D | = | Radius of each paddle, m |
| d | = | Wetted depth of vertical paddle, m |
| E | = | Efficiency factor |
| F | = | Force, N |
| L | = | Length of paddles, m |
| P | = | Power, W |
| q | = | Flow rate, m3/s |
| r | = | Torque handle (distance between centroid of paddle to axis of rotation), m |
| T | = | Torque, N-m |
| Td | = | Drive torque, N·;m |
| Tr | = | Resistance torque, N·m |
| v | = | Water velocity, m/s |
| vr | = | Relative velocity, m/s |
| α | = | Angle between each paddle and vertical plane, radian |
| ρ | = | Density of water, 1000 kg/m3 |
| ω | = | Rotational speed, rad/s |
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Yucheng Liu
Dr. Yucheng Liu (corresponding author, [email protected]) currently serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Mississippi State University. Dr. Liu received his PhD from the University of Louisville and BSc from Hefei University of Technology, both from the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Liu's research interests include computer modeling and simulation, solid mechanics and multiscale study, and ocean and wave energy technology, etc. To date, Dr. Liu has authored about 140 peer-reviewed publications and has led or participated in a number of research projects with total funds about $3.6M. Dr. Liu is a Professional Engineer registered in Ohio and holds active membership in ASME, SAE and ASEE.
Yoosef Peymani F.
Mr. Yoosef Peymani ([email protected]) is now the Chief R&D Engineer in Enviro-Tech Systems, Inc. He received his master degree from the Department of Petroleum Engineering at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and has a profound research and industry background in hydropower technology, water treatment, and CFD modeling and simulation.