International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET)

Volume 8, Issue 5, May 2017, pp. 515–524, Article ID: IJMET_08_05_056

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EFFECT OF INLET GEOMETRY

GEOMETRY IN THE
QUALITY OF VORTEX FORMED USING
VORTEX FLOW CHANNEL
Dipesh Thapa and Aakash Mishra
IV/IV B Tech. Mechanical Engineering, KL University, India.

K. Sai Sarath
Assistant
ssistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, KL University, India.

ABSTRACT
The major objective of present work is to study effect of the inlet geometry in the
quality of water vortex produced by the vortex flow channel. The experimentation is
done using ANSYS FLUENT. Vortex flow channel is the channel in which the low
Reynolds turbulent (or laminar) flow is converted to high Reynolds turbulent (or
turbulence) flow by producing the swirl or vortex pattern. The Vortex flow channel is
basically used to produce the hydroelectricity using low head water. The project is
based upon the idea that the symmetric behavior of the pressure along the radial
distance of the vortex will result in the low thrust force
force in the turbine which finally
enhances the overall efficiency. In the project the vortex flow channel of various inlet
geometry like triangular, rectangular, circular and curved are used and the pressure
and kinetic energy variation along the radial distance
distance within these different inlet
geometry is compared. From the experiment it has been found that the flow channel
with rectangular and circular inlet tends to produce more symmetric pressure
variation in comparisons to triangular and curved geometry..
Key words: Vortex flow channel, Quality of vortex, Vortex turbine, Vortex Flow.
Flow
Cite this Article: Dipesh Thapa, Aakash Mishra and K. Sai sarath Effect of Inlet
Geometry in the Quality off Vortex Formed Using Vortex Flow Channel.
Channel International
Technology 8(5), 2017, pp. 515–524.
Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, 515
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1. INTRODUCTION
Many of the researchers rs have shown that about 16% (3427 terawatt-hours)
terawatt of global
electricity generation are contributed by hydroelectricity. Hydroelectricity is one of the major
sources of green energy and is generated through the use of gravitational force of falling or
flowing
ing water. The flow with high pressure head and kinetic energy are generally capable of
producing more economical hydroelectricity which make a use of radial or axial flow turbine
but Now a days the electricity are also effectively generated with the low pressure
p head flow

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 Dipesh Thapa, Aakash Mishra and K. Sai Sarath

of the range 0.7 to 3 meter, which is achieved by converting the linear flow water into vortex
flow by using vortex flow channels. Vortex turbine have about 80% of theoretical efficiency
but 73% has been reported so far. There are numerous reasons like quality of vortex, frictional
losses and turbine geometry responsible for these losses in efficiency. Among the above
mentioned losses, frictional losses plays important role in linear flow hydro power plant
whereas the quality of the vortex plays important role in vortex flow hydro power plant.
Generally the symmetricity of the pressure along the radial distance is assumed to be
important parameter to assist the quality vortex in the view of electricity generation.
The vortex turbine is a low pressure turbine which works with apressrehead as low as 0.7
m, with a performance similar to that of the traditional hydro turbines that used in the
production of renewable energy with simbiotic environmental effect (Zotlöterer , 2014) [1].
The water travels through a huge and long entrance over the channel, then clears tangentially
to the circular chamber, that produces a tremendous cyclon. The outlet is made at the bottom
of the circular chambervia which the waterleaves the channel (Mulligan & Hull, 2010)[2].
The vortex turbine works on the principle of dynamic force due to vortex rather than the
principle of differential pressure. This goal is achieved by using hydroelectric power station
which forms the stable gravitational vortex by using the specially designed channels without
using the pressure line directing devices. These channels can also be made multipurpose, for
example same channel can be made as ariater of water and also for the production of green
and eco friendly electricity. The vortex turbine that rotates in the vortex channel. whenever
these turbine strikes the rotating water throughout the circumference converts the rotational
kinetic energy of the vortex into the green electrical energy in a generator (Zotlöterer,
2014)[1]

Figure 1 Vortex formation in vortex flow channel

2. COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS

Computational Fluid dynamics is defined as the branch of science that uses computer
resources to simulate flow-related problems. CFD software makes uses of established
mathematical relations, to simulate a flow problem and analyze it. CFD software solves large
number of mathematical equations by using matrix based solver to reach the result.
All of the CFD software that are known uses simplified user interface that allows user to
simulate the probelm using simple codes, drag and drop menu and predefined steps . All CFD
procedure involes three major steps: (i) a pre-processor, (ii) a solver, and (iii) a post-
processor. These steps must be followed without escaping to reach the result. The brief
introduction of these steps have been discussed below.

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 Effect of Inlet Geometry in the Quality of Vortex Formed Using Vortex Flow Channel

2.1. Pre-Processor
Pre-processing involves in taking of a flow problems from a user by using a user friendly
operator interface and then transforms the same input a form which is suitable for using the
solver. User activity during pre-processing are as follow:
• Defining the geometrical properties, region, domain.
• Grid generation: deviding the domain into several small disjoint subdomains: a grid (or
mesh) of cells ( or control elements).
• Physical and chemical occurences to be modeled will be selected.
• Determining the properties of fluids.
• Specifying the suitable boundary conditions in cells that match or sense the boundary of
the domain.

2.2. Solver
There are three different ways recognized for numerical solution: finite differences, finite
elements and spectral methods. On the diagram of numerical methods that form the basis of
solver to perform the following steps:
• Approach a flow of unknown variables using simple functions.
• Mathematical manipulations and Discretization of governing flow eqution by substituting
approximation.
• Solving the algebric equation.
• The major differences that lies between the three streams are the approach they made for
discritization process and flow variables. Here the finite volume method have been used.

2.3. Post-Processor
There has been a lot of development work taken place recently in post processing field.
Because of growing popularity of engineering workstations, out of which many are having
high graphic capabilities, the CFD packages are being furnished with versatile data
visualization tools. These include:
• Domain geometry and grid view
• vector plots
• Surface plots
• Particle tracking, etc.

3. LITERATURE REVIEW
The concept of producing electricity using vortex flow was first invented by Austrian
engineer Franz Zotlöterer [1] while attempting to find a way to aerate water without an
external power source. He was able to produce 8.3 kW of power using the water of flow rate
0.9m3/s and the head of 1.8m. Zotlöterer[1] also comitted the water vortex power plant is
completely safe for aquatic animal. Tze Cheng Kueh et al. [3] performed the numerical
analysis for the water vortex formation for the water vortex plant. They found that as the hole
of the outlet is getting increased the more turbulent the flow has become which makes the
CFD modling more complex. However, the this complexity can be improved by choosing
better turbulent modela.Subash Dhakal et al [4] published the journal on “Development and
Testing of Runner and Conical Basin for the Gravity Water Vortex power Plant”. In his

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 Dipesh Thapa, Aakash Mishra and K. Sai Sarath

journal he mentioned that the efficiency values were higher for turbines with fewer blades.
Ooi. Y. et al [5] performed the numerical analysis of water vortex for electricity generation.
R. K. Choulaghai [6] made an attempt to devlope the vortex turbine.Dipesh Thapa [7] in his
paper Enhancement of heat transfer using vortex flowchannels also found the significance of
vortex channel in enhancing the rate of heat transfer.

4. NUMERICAL MODEL
In almost all previous investigations, the air-core vortex was considered based on the
assumption of constant, axisymmetric and incompressible flow. The continuity equation and
the Navier-Stokes equations in cylindrical coordinates are described as follows:

+ + =0 (1)

Vr + Vz - = V( + - + ) (2)

+ Vz - + =V( + - + ) (3)

Vr + Vr + = g +V( + + ) (4)
Where, Vθ, Vr and Vz are components velocity in tangential, radial and axial direction
respectively, ρ detnotes fluid density, g denotes acceleration due to gravity and ν denotes
kinematic viscosity. Due to the complexity of the equations, it is very difficult to solve these
equations analytically to reach the solution.
So, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has become cost effective for predicting the
performance of Fluid flow and also the behaviour of fluid flow across a region of interest. In
the present study, the simulation was performed for the visualization of the flow in the
channel and to determine the distribution of the velocity through out the channel. For
Simulating the result the can modeling was done using solid works and the modeled geometry
was improted to ANSYS software to perform the simulation.

5. EXPERIMENTATION
The experimentation was done using practical approach and virtual approach. For virtual
analysis ANSYS Fluent was used. In the experiment the various in let path geometry like
triangular, rectangular, circular and curved was taken. The working fluid used for all different
geometry was pure water at 270 C and viscosity of 0.001003 kg/m-s. The velocity of entering
water was 1.5 m/s which is also same for all different geometry.

Figure 2 Experimentation of vortex turbine

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 Effect of Inlet Geometry in the Quality of Vortex Formed Using Vortex Flow Channel

Figure 3 Vortex formation

6. RESULT

Figure 4 Vortex Flow channel with circular c/s geometry

Figure 5 Vortex Flow channel with curved inlet geometry

Figure 6 Vortex Flow channel with rectangular inlet geometry

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 Dipesh Thapa, Aakash Mishra and K. Sai Sarath

Figure 7 Vortex Flow channel with angular inlet geometry

Figure 7(a) Pressure Vs. Linear distance for Vortex channel with triangular inlet geometry

Figure 7(b) Turbulence K.E Vs. Linear distance for Vortex channel with triangular inlet geometry

In the above Pressure vs. x- distance graph for vortex channel with triangular inlet geometry
the pressure distribution of core is very symmetric about the core axis. This indicates that if
we use the vortex turbine in the channel having the triangular type of inlet geometry the
turbine will experience very less force along radial direction. The radial direction forces are

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 Effect of Inlet Geometry in the Quality of Vortex Formed Using Vortex Flow Channel

responsible force for creating bending moment in the turbine shaft reducing the efficiency and
durability of turbine

Figure 8(a) Pressure Vs. Linear distance for Vortex channel with Circular c/s inlet

Figure 8(b) Turbulence K.E Vs. Linear distance for Vortex channel with circular c/s inlet
In the above Pressure vs. x- distance graph for vortex channel with circular cross-section
inlet geometry the pressure distribution is shiftes to positive x-direction. This indicates that if
we use the vortex turbine in the channel having this type of inlet geometry the turbine will
experience very high force along radial direction from left to right. The radial direction forces
present here are responsible force for creating anti-clockwise bending moment in the turbine
shaft reducing the efficiency and durability of turbine.

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 Dipesh Thapa, Aakash Mishra and K. Sai Sarath

Figure 9(a) Pressure Vs. Linear distance for Vortex channel with curved inlet geometry

Figure 9(b) Turbulence K.E Vs. Linear distance for Vortex channel with curved inlet geometry
In the above Pressure vs. x- distance graph for vortex channel with curved inlet geometry path
the pressure distribution is quite symmetric about the core axis but is sudden high pressure
region in slight right side. This sudden high pressure region is due to backflow of the fluid
due to sudden contraction of inlet. This indicates that if we use the vortex turbine in the
channel having this type of inlet geometry the turbine will experience very high force along
radial direction from right to left. The radial direction forces present here are responsible force
for creating clockwise bending moment in the turbine shaft reducing the efficiency and
durability of turbine.

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 Effect of Inlet Geometry in the Quality of Vortex Formed Using Vortex Flow Channel

Figure 10(a) Pressure Vs. Linear distance for Vortex channel with rectangular inlet geometry

Figure 10(b) Turbulence K.E Vs. Linear distance for Vortex channel with rectangular inlet geometry
In the above Pressure vs. x- distance graph for vortex channel with rectangular inlet
geometry path the average pressure distribution is quite symmetric about the core axis but is
imbalanced high pressure region are scattered in both right and left side.. This indicates that if
we use the vortex turbine in the channel having this type of inlet geometry the turbine will
experience very less force along radial direction from in any direction. The radial direction
forces present here are likely to create bending moment in the turbine shaft in either the
direction. This means the failure of the shaft become much unexpected if the force becomes
high in particular direction. Hence this type of inlet geometry path is good for low head only.

7. CONCLUSION
This study is an attempt to present the effect of different inlet geometries of flow channel in
the quality of vortex produced under steady state flow condition. The study shows that the
vortex channel having triangular inlet geometry path are very efficient for the vortex flow
hydroelectric power plant because these geometry tends to produce very symmetric vortex
pattern which causes very less imbalance radial force that are responsible for the bending for
turbine shaft. And the study also shows that vortex flow channel with rectangular inlet
geometry path produce average pressure distribution quite symmetric but along with they also
produce the random high pressure in both counter direction, which implies that the

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 Dipesh Thapa, Aakash Mishra and K. Sai Sarath

rectangular inlet geometry may be effective at low head but may have unexpected failure in
higher head.

8. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Authors were very thankful to their colleagues for providing their expertise that greatly aided
the research.
Authors also expressed their appreciation to Mr. J. Naveen for sharing his pearls of
wisdom with them during the course of research. They were also immensely thankful to Dr.
S.S. Rao for his comments and suggestion during the research.
Authors are also thankful to their parents for constant help and support.

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