Design and Development of a Hydro-Turbine John Connor Elisia Garcia Som Tantipitham Faculty Advisor: Dr. Quamrul Mazumder Senior Engineering Design Project

Abstract  The usage of fossil fuels is slowly being replaced by cleaner and more renewable sources of energy. Since Michigan has varying amounts of sunlight, the use of solar energy would not be practical. With the Flint River located on the campus of the University of Michigan-Flint, hydroelectric energy may be a feasible alternative. Connecting a micro-turbine to a generator and using the natural current of the river can prospectively generate 200 to 300 watts of energy. Funneling the water into the turbine will increase the velocity of the current. With more velocity, more revolutions the turbine will experience. Then, with the goal of 200 to 300 watts desired, the turbine will be equipped with the appropriate number of blades, along with appropriate blade angle. This will ensure that not only the desired energy is produced, but that also that the system is as efficient as possible.

Project Schedule Schedule Performance Index: %

Progress

Cost Analysis

Efficiency The generator efficiency is directly proportional to the rpm

Force  Assume:  ρ water = 62.4 lb m /ft 3 V water init = 7.5 mph = 11ft/s  V water final = 7.0 mph = ft/s  Propeller Diameter = 292 mm = ft  Area of Blade = 90 in 2 = ft 2 One dimensional Flow

Detail Drawings

FEA  Stress analysis for the turbine support frame  Max stress occurs at the fixed ends  Max stress of about Pa

FEA  Total deformation of support frame  Max deformation occurs where turbine rest  Max deformation of about 1.7e-8m

FEA  Stress analysis on the turbine  1400N forced placed on shaft  Max stress 14357Pa

FEA  Total deformation of turbine  1400N force placed on the shaft  Max deformations is about 0.17m  Cause of large deformations is because sheet metal was used for the blades

Assembly Early Stage of Development: Housing for the Turbine

Assembly First Generator Delivered 300W at 3400rpms

Assembly  Ametek 38 Volt Motor  Can deliver 300W with 600rpms  More compacted and lighter

Ametek 38 Volt Motor

Assembly Early Stage of Development: Turbine

Changes from Original  Redesigned 10 blades turbine to 8  Reversed placement of generator on the support to better fit the location  Changed generators

Difficulties  First generator didn’t perform as expected  Water flow of the river was inconsistent  River dried up before final testing could be done

Difficulties River dried up in the location that was going to be used

Plan B Testing  Using a power washer to simulate water flow  Voltage output of 35.5V  Using the performance curve, this is equivalent to 398W of power

Completed Generator