Turbine Nozzle and Diffuser for Flowing Water Energy Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydroelectric turbines are ineffective in free-flowing water environments due to design limitations, such as high head conditions and inability to handle torque, leading to inefficient energy conversion from water kinetic energy.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a support structure, a nozzle, and a diffuser, with a turbine that sealsingly engages the nozzle and diffuser, optimizing fluid flow through a leading edge radius ratio of 1:1 to 4:1 and conical shapes to enhance energy conversion in flowing water environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional hydroelectric turbines are used in free-flowing water environments, then the turbine structure is simple, but the energy conversion efficiency is low due to high head condition design
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the flow control function into separate components: a nozzle assembly for accelerating flow and a diffuser assembly for recovering pressure. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function, improving overall energy conversion efficiency while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine rotor is designed with adjustable pitch blades that can be dynamically adjusted to match varying flow conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the turbine to maintain optimal operating conditions across different flow rates, significantly improving energy conversion efficiency in free-flowing water environments.
2Speed
If conventional turbines are used in flowing water, then installation is simple, but the turbine cannot handle torque and rotates at insufficient rate
Solution Approach 1:
A bearing assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the rotor and support structure, providing low-friction support for the rotating rotor. This bearing assembly enables the rotor to rotate at higher speeds and handle torque effectively while maintaining operational reliability in flowing water environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine design changes key parameters including blade pitch angle, rotor diameter, and nozzle opening area to optimize performance for flowing water conditions. These parameter adjustments enable the turbine to rotate at appropriate rates and handle the torque produced by flowing water effectively.
3Reliability
If stronger materials are used for turbine blades, then the turbine can survive waterway conditions, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine blades are constructed using composite materials combining corrosion-resistant materials with structural strength. This composite approach provides the necessary durability to survive waterway conditions while maintaining ease of manufacture, as the composite structure can be formed into complex blade geometries more easily than solid metal alternatives.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade structure utilizes thin-walled, corrosion-resistant materials that provide sufficient strength through optimized geometry rather than material thickness. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving the required durability in flowing water environments.
4Productivity
If high head condition turbines are used, then the turbine structure is robust, but the turbine will not rotate at appreciable rate in free flowing environment
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle assembly performs preliminary action by accelerating the water flow before it reaches the rotor. This pre-acceleration increases the kinetic energy of the water, enabling the rotor to rotate at higher speeds and generate more power in free-flowing water environments where the head condition is not high.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes hydraulic principles through the nozzle and diffuser assemblies to control and direct water flow. The nozzle accelerates flow using pressure differential, and the diffuser recovers pressure, creating optimal flow conditions for high-speed rotation and effective power generation in low-head environments.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system improves fluid flow and energy conversion efficiency in rivers, streams, and ocean currents, enabling sustainable operation and increased power generation from flowing water.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle coupled to the support structure, the nozzle having a nozzle outlet and a nozzle trailing edge at the nozzle outlet
Implementation Method 2
a diffuser coupled to the support structure, the diffuser having a diffuser inlet and a diffuser leading edge at the diffuser inlet
Implementation Method 3
a turbine movable relative to the support structure and having a turbine leading edge and turbine trailing edge
Data Source
AI summary
A system for installing and extracting a flowing water turbine below the surface of the water includes a flow inducer assembly for improving the conversation of the kinetic energy of a waterway to mechanical energy. The flow inducer assembly includes a nozzle that may be shaped as a cowling and a outlet diffuser. The system may be useful in a number of settings, including, but not limited to, streams, rivers, dams, ocean currents, or tidal areas that have continuous or semi-continuous water flow rates and windy environments.