Cascade Optimization of an Axial-Flow Hydraulic Turbine Type Propeller by a Genetic Algorithm

Abstract

This study proposes the use of the genetic algorithm (GA) method in hydraulic turbine optimization for renewable energy applications. The algorithm is used to optimize the performance of a two-dimensional hydrofoil cascade for an axial-flow hydraulic turbine. The potential flow around the cascade is analyzed using the surface vorticity panel method, with a modified coupling coefficient to deal with the turbine cascade. Each section of the guide vane and runner blade hydrofoil cascade is optimized to satisfy the shock-free criterion, which is the fluid dynamic ideal to achieve minimum profile losses. Comparison is also made between the direct and random switching methods for the GA crossover operator. The optimization results show that the random switching method outperforms the performance of the direct switching method in terms of the resulting solutions, as well as in terms of the computational time required to reach convergence. As an alternative to experimental trials, the performance of both turbine designs are predicted and analyzed using the three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach under several operating conditions. The simulation results show that the optimized design, which is obtained by applying the shock-free criterion using the GA, successfully improves the performance of the initial turbine design.

Reflecting on Mechanical Functionalities in Bioreactors for Tissue Engineering Purposes

“…The third step is to design a control system, which may feature force feedback and positional feedback, thereby stabilizing the mechanical stimulation (Bilgen et al, 2013;Liu et al, 2018). Moreover, researchers may implement genetic algorithm in the control system to optimize the motor movement (Soesanto et al, 2018).…”

Experimental study of small hydro turbine propeller performance with a variety of blade angles of attack

“…The second guide vane model is installed together with the turbine runner. The installation of the guide vane combined with the runner aims to increase the turbine rotation speed due to the addition of aerodynamic forces on the hydro turbine runner blade [21] [22]. Installation of guide vanes on the runner blade can increase turbine performance by up to 5% compared to normal operating conditions [21].…”

“…This research was conducted to determine the performance of a propeller turbine at various angles of attack with a guide vane mounted on the runner. The research concept used is similar to the research conducted by Susanto [21] dan Borkowski [20]. However, both studies were performed using a simulation model to facilitate data collection on turbine performance.…”