IJIRST International Journal for Innovative Research in Science & Technology| Volume 3 | Issue 02 | July 2016

ISSN (online): 2349-6010

Theoretical Study and Performance Test of Lucid

Spherical Turbine
Rakesh C
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
New Horizon College of Engineering, Bangalore-560103

A. H Akshay Krishna
UG Scholar
Department of Mechanical Engineering
New Horizon College of Engineering, Bangalore-560103

Anwin T. V Joseph
UG Scholar
Department of Mechanical Engineering
New Horizon College of Engineering, Bangalore-560103

Adhvaith M
UG Scholar
Department of Mechanical Engineering
New Horizon College of Engineering, Bangalore-560103

Charan Nallode
UG Scholar
Department of Mechanical Engineering
New Horizon College of Engineering, Bangalore-560103

Abstract
Lucid spherical turbine is a provider of renewable energy systems that enable industrial, municipal and agricultural facilities to
produce clean, reliable, low-cost electricity from their gravity-fed water pipelines and effluent streams. Lucid spherical turbine
Power System is a water- to-wire energy recovery solution. Lucid spherical turbine is an in-pipe turbine generator to capture the
energy of fast-moving water inside of large, gravity-fed pipelines, converting it into a continuous source of low-cost electricity.
Unlike other renewable energy systems, Lucid spherical turbine produces predictable, base load energy with no environmental
impact. The Lucid spherical Power System can be installed in a day and energy generation can begin in less than a week. This
keeps permitting and installation costs low and project returns high. This electricity can be used on-site to power pumps and
other devices, to charge storage systems, or to connect to the grid for net metering.
Keywords: Cross flow turbine, Hydrokinetic turbine, in pipe energy generation, Power generation, Spherical Turbine
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
I.

INTRODUCTION

Overview of Turbine:
A turbine is a rotary mechanical device that extracts energy from a fluid flow and converts it into useful work. A turbine is a
turbo machine with at least one moving part called a rotor assembly, which is a shaft or drum with blades attached. Moving fluid
acts on the blades so that they move and impart rotational energy to the rotor. Early turbine examples are windmills and
waterwheels. Gas, steam, and water turbines have a casing around the blades that contains and controls the working fluid.
Modern steam turbines frequently employ both reaction and impulse in the same unit, typically varying the degree of reaction
and impulse from the blade root to its periphery. A turbine is a machine that transforms rotational energy from a fluid that is
picked up by a rotor system into usable work or energy. Turbines achieve this either through mechanical gearing or
electromagnetic induction to produce electricity. Types of turbines include steam turbines, wind turbines, gas turbines or water
turbines. Mechanical uses of turbine power go back to ancient Greece. The first wind wheels relied upon gearing and shafts to
power machinery. Windmills and water wheels are forms of turbines too and might drive a millstone to grind grain, among other
purposes. Thermal steam turbines driven by burning oil or coal or the use of nuclear power are still among the most common
methods of producing electricity. Green electricity applications include wind turbines and water turbines used in applications for
wind power and tidal power.
Because of the turbines many applications in a wide variety of technologies, research is still ongoing to perfect turbine and
rotor efficiency.
Hydrokinetic Turbines:
A "Hydrokinetic" turbine is an integrated turbine generator to produce electricity in a free flow environment. It does not need a
dam or diversion. In stream Energy Systems has coined the phrase Instream Energy Generation Technology or IEGT places
turbines in rivers, manmade channels, tidal waters, or ocean currents. These turbines use the flow of water to turn them, thus
generating electricity for the power grid on nearby land. In effect, IEGT is like planting windmills in the water and is

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Theoretical Study and Performance Test of Lucid Spherical Turbine

(IJIRST/ Volume 3 / Issue 02/ 067)

environmentally friendly. While hydrokinetic includes generation from ocean tides, currents and waves, many researchers
believe its most practical application in the near term is likely to be in rivers and streams.
II. LITERATURE SURVEY
Power Calculation
The power available from falling water can be calculated from the flow rate and density of water, the height of fall, and the local
acceleration due to gravity. In SI units, the power is:
P is power in watts is the dimensionless efficiency of the turbine is the density of water in kilograms per cubic metre Q is
the flow in cubic metres per second g is the acceleration due to gravity h is the height difference between inlet and outlet in
metres
To illustrate, power is calculated for a turbine that is 85% efficient, with water at 1000 kg/cubic metre (62.5 pounds/cubic
foot) and a flow rate of 80 cubic-meters/second (2800 cubic-feet/second), gravity of 9.81 metres per second squared and with a
net head of 145 m (480 ft.).
In SI units: Power (W) = 0.85*1000*80*9.81*145 = 97 MW
Problem Statement and Methodologies
In the present study the following objectives are To use hydro power to generate electricity.
To design and develop the turbine blade profile and to validate its design.
To fabricate the turbine by using 3D printing technique(FDM)
To run CFD analysis on the turbine and determine the power output for a given input conditions.
To produce cheap and low cost electricity.
To develop a water to wire system this is 2-3 times more efficient than solar and wind systems.
To harness the energy by utilizing the flow velocity of water due to gravity from the dams.
The device can be placed anywhere between the dams and the utilization centres.
To reduce the use of fossil fuels for power generation and reduce pollution.
III. LUCID SPHERICAL TURBINE
The lucid spherical turbine Power System is a water-to-wire system that generates clean, renewable energy from excess head
pressure in gravity-fed water pipelines. Lucid spherical turbine converts water pressure to energy using a unique, lift based,
vertical axis turbine installed within a pipeline. A single unit can produce 20 100kW of renewable, zero-emissions electricity,
depending on the flow and head pressure conditions at a given site. Multiple units can be aggregated for a system that can
produce more than a MW. The Lucid Spherical Turbine rotates the same direction regardless of the direction of the water flow
and can accommodate flows in any direction through a pipeline. This means gravity fed water can pass through the system to
generate power, while when the pipeline is used to convey pumped water in the opposite direction, the system can be stopped
and the impact is virtually unnoticed. Typically, Lucid Spherical Turbine systems are designed to generate 240 volts, 3- phase
AC power. Other configurations are possible.
Performance and Technical Specifications:
The unique flexibility of the Lucid Spherical Turbine Power System design accommodates multiple configurations and flow
systems. This enables Lucid Spherical Turbine to be used in a broad range of applications for municipal, industrial, irrigation, oil
& gas and desalination facilities among others. The capacity factor for water and wastewater applications of Lucid Spherical
Turbine is 2-3X that of solar and wind power.
1) The Lucid Spherical Turbine Power System is designed for use in large-diameter (24-96) water pipes for maximum
efficiency and energy output. The renewable energy produced can be used off grid, fed back into the grid or used to directly
power devices and equipment such as pumps, meters, controls, smart water devices, mixers, lights at the outfall,
hypochlorite machines, etc.
2) Water velocity helps determine the optimal size of the Lucid Spherical Turbine system that can be operated in a pipeline.
Also factored in are the pipeline diameter, head pressure that is available for extraction and the capacity factor (frequency
and duration of water flow). Best performance and reliability of the Lucid Spherical Turbine is achieved at velocities
greater than 4 ft./s.
3) Water velocity is the most important indicator for determining the energy generating capacity of a pipeline. The power
generated by the Lucid Spherical Turbine is proportional to the water velocity. Typical water velocities in pipelines are 4-7
ft./s (1.7-2.1 m/s). In most cases, it is necessary to reduce the diameter of the pipeline where a Lucid Spherical Turbine
system is installed. This increases water velocity through the turbine for increased energy output.

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Theoretical Study and Performance Test of Lucid Spherical Turbine

(IJIRST/ Volume 3 / Issue 02/ 067)

4) The Lucid Spherical Turbine automatic and remote control system can stop or slow down the turbine as needed. Lucid
Spherical Turbine is designed to be a component of a large water operation. The system allows for monitoring, managing
and controlling water velocity to maintain output to the optimal operational efficiency.
Lucid Spherical Turbine Installation:
Lucid Spherical Turbine can be installed anywhere upstream of a pressure-transient zone in a gravity-fed pipeline. This provides
several advantages for project siting:
Flexibility to be located anywhere in the pipeline where power is desired (to power remote devices, etc.)
Ability to harvest head pressure along the pipe, thus incrementally reducing pressure throughout
Operation across a wide range of flow conditions without the need for pumps to create back-pressure and velocity
adjustments
No need for bypasses
IV. THEORETICAL ANALYSIS
Power for the Scales down Model:
Input conditions- Input velocity- 2 to 3 m/s; Speed of turbine- 100rpm
Angular velocity=2N/60 = 2*3.14*100/60=10.46 m/s
Power = angular velocity*torque = Power = 10.46*4.27192= 44.68W
Power for the Actual Turbine:
The power output for .4m pipe is 44.68W. Hence the power for a 1.920m pipe is 0.4m44.68W; 1.920m 214.5W. Therefore,
the power output for a full scaled turbine is 214.5W. 1.920m is the size of the pipe currently being used for the CAUVERY stage
3 water supplies from the KRS dam to the Bangalore city.
Power in KWH = power *hours = 214.5*8760 = 1879.02 KWH
V. SOFTWARE METHODOLOGIES
Geometry:

Fig. 1: Geometry of the turbine

Fig. 2: Design of the turbine

The geometry consists of mainly three main parts are - the pipe body, the multiple reference frame, and the turbine.
Dimensions - Pipe Diameter =0.4m; Pipe Section Length=1.2m; turbine diameter=0.355m
Materials used are - Pipe-mild steel; turbine- Aluminium; Fluid domain Water

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Meshing

Fig. 3: meshing
Table 1
Object Name
State

Mesh
Solved
Defaults

Physics Preference
Solver Preference
Relevance

CFD
Fluent
0

Sizing
Use Advanced Size Function
On: Proximity and Curvature
Relevance Centre
Coarse
Initial Size Seed
Active Assembly
Smoothing
Medium
Transition
Slow
Span Angle Centre
Fine
Curvature Normal Angle
Default (18.0 )
Num Cells Across Gap
Default (3)
Min Size
1.e-003 m
Proximity Min Size
Default (3.9118e-004 m)
Max Face Size
5.e-003 m
Max Size
5.e-003 m
Growth Rate
Default (1.20 )
Minimum Edge Length
5.0193e-005 m
Inflation
Use Automatic Inflation
None
Inflation Option
Smooth Transition
Transition Ratio
0.272
Maximum Layers
5
Growth Rate
1.2
Inflation Algorithm
Pre
View Advanced Options
No
Assembly Meshing
Method
None
Patch Conforming Options
Triangle Surface Mesher
Program Controlled
Patch Independent Options
Topology Checking
Yes
Advanced
Number of CPUs for Parallel Part Meshing
Program Controlled
Shape Checking
CFD
Element Midside Nodes
Dropped
Straight Sided Elements
Number of Retries
0
Extra Retries For Assembly
Yes
Rigid Body Behaviour
Dimensionally Reduced
Mesh Morphing
Disabled
Defeaturing
Pinch Tolerance
Default (3.5206e-004 m)
Generate Pinch on Refresh
No
Automatic Mesh Based Defeaturing
On
Defeaturing Tolerance
Default (1.9559e-004 m)
Statistics

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Theoretical Study and Performance Test of Lucid Spherical Turbine

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Nodes
Elements
Mesh Metric

1601128
8917023
None

Units:
Unit System
Angle
Rotational Velocity
Temperature

Table 2
Metric (m, kg, N, s, V, A) Degrees rad/s Celsius
Degrees
rad/s
Celsius

VI. SOLVER
Pressure Contour:

Fig. 4: Pressure contour on pipe

The pressure contour gives us information on the pressure difference throughout the pipe.
The pressure tends to increase at the turbine region and reduces towards the exit.
Velocity Contour:

Fig. 5: Velocity contour

The velocity contour gives us information on the flow characteristics and the velocity of the fluid at a given point.

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The streamline characteristics indicate where the fluid is laminar and where it is turbulent and also traces the path of the
fluid through the pipe.
The velocity of the fluid is uniform at the entry and increases when striking the blades and the flow becomes turbulent.
The velocity of the fluid decreases again at the output.
VII. CONCLUSION

This development is now successfully capable of using hydro power to generate electricity within a pipe with flowing fluid.
Design study and development of the turbine blade profile was accomplished which is a critical necessity to validate its design.
An inferior turbine design has also been fabricated by using a 3D printing technique (FDM). A CFD analysis was run on the final
turbine design and the power output for given input conditions has been realized. This new scheme can be successfully used to
produce cheap and low cost electricity which can be a boon to our society and ultimately the entire world. A water to wire
system that is 2-3 times more efficient than solar and wind systems has been achieved. This system, unlike the solar and wind
systems can be functional at any time and is not daytime or season dependent and hence is a more reliable source. This setup can
be capable of harnessing the energy of water flowing from dams to city by utilizing the flow velocity of water to create a
pressure difference along the two surfaces of the blade.
This device can be placed anywhere between the dams and the utilization centres to achieve its purpose. This system will
eventually help reduce the use of fossil fuels for power generation and therefore reduce pollution.
REFERENCES
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]

Paraschivoiu, Wind Turbine Design with Emphasis on Darrieus Concept, 1st Edition, Polytechnic International, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 2002.
A. Gorlov, Unidirectional helical reaction turbine (1995).
A. Gorlov, Development of the helical reaction hydraulic turbine, Final Technical Report DE-FG01-96EE 15669, Northeastern University (August 1998).
U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE),
Water Power Program, first ocean energy delivered to u.s. grid, http://www1.eere.energy.gov/ water/news_detail.html? news_id=18638 (September 2012).
[5] B. Pelage, M. Kawase, P. Malte, In-stream tidal energy potential of Puget Sound, Washington, Proc. IMechE Part A: J. Power and Energy 223 (2009)
571587.
[6] P. Bachant, Experimental investigation of helical cross-flow axis hydrokinetic turbines, including effects of waves and turbulence, Masters thesis,
University of New Hampshire (2011).
[7] P. Bachant, M. Wosnik, Experimental investigation of helical cross-flow axis hydrokinetic turbines, including effects of waves and turbulence, in:
Proceedings of ASME-JSMEKSME Joint Fluids Engineering Conference 2011, no. AJK201107020, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, JAPAN, July 24-29, 2011.
doi:10.1115/AJK2011-07020.
[8] B. K. Kirke, Tests on ducted and bare helical and straight blade Darrieus hydrokinetic turbines, Renewable Energy 36 (2011) 30133022.
[9] Lucid energy power system www.lucidenergy.com
[10] Design consultants Aero frame Aero design Pvt Ltd http://www.airframeaerodesigns.com/

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