Mini-Hydropower Plant Based on Lenyov Hydrobelt and Volume-Sectional Hydraulic Engine

Abstract

The use of the energy of small watercourses with the help of small hydropower plants is one of the promising directions for the development of renewable energy. This article presents the designs of two different hydraulic engines, each of which has its own advantage. Therefore, the task of calculating the real parameters of the design of a mini-hydropower plant based on Lenyov hydrobelt has been solved. Theoretical calculations were validated numerically by the finite volume method and computational fluid dynamics modeling; both methods gave similar results. According to the results of calculations, this design based on the Lenyov hydrobelt with the capacity of 16 kW is advisable to place in a river with a flow velocity of at least 4.5 m/s. The article also presents an alternative type of developed mini-hydropower plant, -a volume-sectional hydraulic engine. The proposed rotary-type positive displacement hydraulic engine can operate at low pressure on a flat surface. The advantage of the hydraulic engine is the sectional operation of several working chambers. It was established that a high water velocity and a large volume of passing water was not required. The total force acting in the hydraulic engine is 5430.19 N. Due to the use of conical inlet channels, the water flow velocity was increased and the water flow became directional. The frequency of rotation of the hydraulic engine shaft at a river flow velocity of 4 m/s was 60.43 rpm. The received power in these modes was 22.25 kW.