Optimization of efficiency and hydraulic power performance in Archimedean (Archimedes) screw turbines by Taguchi method

Due to the increasing need for energy with the developing technology, the interest in the development of micro-hydroelectric power generation has increased. Archimedes screw turbines are widely used in small rivers and streams, at low altitudes, due to the fact that high efficiency can be obtained from the flow energy of flowing water and low environmental impact. There is no need for very high dream values in this turbine type as in other turbine types, it is designed to be controlled remotely. It can be easily installed in city centers. In terms of environmental factors, fish deaths have been prevented because there is no loophole and sedimentation ponds in the Archimedes auger. A loading or unloading pool is also not included in this system. Their economic Deceleration in terms of ease of maintenance is among the reasons of preference. Efficiency and hydraulic power in Archimedes turbines depend on some parameters such as the number of blades, flow rate, screw length, tilt angle and number of helical turns. In this study, efficiency and hydraulic power performance of the Archimedes turbine installed on Yeşilırmak in Amasya province were theoretically modeled and optimization of parameters was carried out by Taguchi method. 5 different variable values were selected from 4 different parameters determined (screw length, number of helical turns, flow rate and tilt angle) and an experiment list was created with the L25 experiment design. The efficiency and hydraulic power values were calculated with the theoretical model used. The calculated values were analyzed by Taguchi analysis using the MINITAB 20 Program. The signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios were determined in Taguchi's design. The obtained variable values were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and it was investigated which parameter was more effective on efficiency and hydraulic power. In the ANOVA analysis, it was found that the most effective parameter affecting the efficiency was the number of helical turns, then the angle of inclination, screw length and flow rate, respectively. For hydraulic power, it was recorded that the most effective parameter was the flow rate, and then the inclination angle, screw length and number of helical turns, respectively. While the efficiency is 70% in the current system, it has been seen that the efficiency can be increased up to 89% by replacing these parameters with optimal parameter values.At the end of the study, hydraulic power and efficiency tables were created and the real data in the Amasya model and the data in the theoretical model were compared and the efficiency and hydraulic power results were obtained.