WATERWHEEL PROJECT

The following is a poster outlining the design of a micro-hydroelectric device to be used in a shallow flume to generate electricity. This design is aimed at achieving maximum device output, i.e. to generate the most electricity.
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Our design is based on an undershot water wheel, this type of wheel is the oldest type of wheel. The flow of water provides torque to turn the wheel, they gain no advantage from head and are suited best to shallow streams of water.

BLADE DESIGN

SKETCH

CALCULATIONS
Blade Angle Efficiency = 2(1 c)2 = 6 2 8 + 2 = 0 3 1 2 2 = 0 1 = 1 3 If c=1 then no torque is produced, therefore 1 maximum efficiency occurs at c = = 1 = . o Area of Blades Normal to flow, = 0.009762 Area of water entering funnel, 1 = 0.0295 2 Area of water passing through end of funnel, 2 = 0.01222 0.01220.00976 = 0.2 100% = 20% of water 0.0122 passes blades Therefore the blades catch 80% of the water that flows normal to them Speed of water exiting funnel Speed of water entering funnel, 1 = 1.67m/s To find speed of water exiting funnel, 2 : 1 1 = 2 2 0.0295 1.67 = 0.01222 0.0295 1.67 2 = = 4.038 / 0.0122 Speed of water exiting funnel, = 4.038m/s
1 3 3

Force on each Blades F = 2 (1 )2 = 1000 0.0122 4.0382 (1 = 70.73N Power

1 2 ) 3

(multiplied by 0.8 to account for water that passes the blades)

The blade design consists of a curved end section which gradually flattens out. The reasoning behind this design is largely to reduce the loss of kinetic energy due to heat and sound; a considerable loss if the water were to strike an angled flat blade with no curvature. Ideally, the angle of the tip of the blade where the water first makes contact should be at the same angle as the water (horizontal) to minimize losses. By calculation it was worked out that the optimum angle of curvature would be 60 degrees as this would allow the blade to transfer maximum kinetic energy to the wheel by the time the water will have reached the flat section of the plate. Another reason for this design is that by having a curved plate, the total surface area exposed to the water stream is larger than an equivalent flat blade. Furthermore, the blade is made from a single sheet of metal so as to facilitate the manufacturing process involved in creating the part. The choice of metal is aluminium as it is a light and strong material hence simultaneously increasing angular velocity and optimizing strength of the wheel.

= 1 3 (1 )2 = 1000 0.0122 4.03813 (1 1 2 ) . = 95.21W 3 1 = 1 3 2 1 = 1000 0.0122 4.03813 2 = 401.7W 95.21 Efficiency, = = = 0.237 100% = 23.7% Torque Torque = 1 2 (1 )2
= 1000 0.0122 4.03812 (1 .
401.7

1 2 ) 0.25 3

= 17.68Nm Rotational Speed 1 = 2 = 1 = =

3 5.384 60 = 2

4.038 30.25

= 5.384 rad/s

51.4

The Pulley ratio is approximately 2:1, meaning the Power, Torque and Rotational Speed at the gearbox will all be double the value calculated from the Water Wheel Power at gearbox ~ 190 / Torque at gearbox ~ 35 / Rotational Speed at gearbox ~ 105 The gearbox has a 10:1 ratio Therefore rotational speed at gearbox output ~ 110/ ~ 1050 If the mechanical efficiency of water wheel is ~ 50% Rotational speed at gearbox output ~ 1050 0.5 = 525 525 will supply approximately 2W across a 5 ohm load and produce 0.008Nm of torque at the motor.

BILL OF MATERIALS
Item no. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Part no. 919D111 919D10 919D14 919D21 919D22 EFOM-06 Group 12 BOM Description High power 10:1 motor Pulley Pulley Belt Belt Flange Bearing Flange Bearing Clamp Collar Aluminium Box Aluminium Sheet (=3mm) Aluminium Sheet (=2mm) Aluminium Rod (=6mm) M3 Steel Bolt (=30mm) M3 Steel Bolt (=10mm) M3 standard nut Flange Mount (=64mm) Quantity 1 1 1 1 1 6 4 4 4 2 1 0.5 34 96 130 1 Quantity Unit -

UNIQUE FEATURES
The waterwheel design possesses several unique features aimed at facilitating maximum power generation. These include: The shaft has been reinforced with several box sections. This is so as to ensure that it handles the large force of the water flowing in the flume as well as the total weight of the blades and side-plates without collapsing or breaking. A horizontally and vertically tapering channel has been placed in front of the waterwheel mouth. This increases the velocity of the water flowing within the flume such that it encounters the blades with a larger force hence generating more power. The waterwheel is sunk rather than mounted or suspended. This is in order to ensure that the structure is stable and to reduce the chances of unwanted motion of the waterwheel structure. Furthermore this ensures that the floor clearance for water passing through the tapered channel is definite.

GFM-0608-04 691-8042 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Calculations for estimated power we get from the waterwheel

m m m m -