How a Cross Flow Water Turbine Works
Water turbines refer to rotary engines designed to use energy from the flow or movement of water. Cross-flow water turbines use a transverse flow of water to acquire energy. Does this Spark an idea?
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Transverse Flow
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Standard water turbines use a radial or axial flow of water to create energy. Cross-flow water turbines enable water to pass across the turbine blades transversely, or side to side relative to the blades. The water enters at the edge of the turbine, passes twice through the runner, or rotating element of the turbine, and exits at the opposite end.
Design
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Cross-flow water turbines contain a cylindrical runner, or water wheel, connected to a horizontal shaft and made up of as many as 37 blades. The turbine design includes a regulating unit that varies the cross-section flow of water and controls it based on the water available and power level needed. A nozzle shoots a jet of water toward the cylindrical runner. The water enters the runner at an approximate 45 to 120 degree angle, enabling kinetic energy produced by the water to be sent to the blades.
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Advantages
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Cross-flow water turbines offer a flat, or constant, curve of efficiency under varying water loads. This curve enables a better yearly performance than most other turbine systems, particularly in small river plants where water can run at low levels during certain months.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit turbine image by southmind from Fotolia.com
