bucket hydro

[windspeed]

Any opinions on this system would be appreciated

http://www.reuk.co.uk/Low-Head-Waterwheel-Invention.htm

http://www.beck-mickle-hydro.co.uk/index.php?id=bmh_news

Windspeed

[marv]

Here's another link for ya.

http://www.rexresearch.com/gilmartin/wo2006082403.pdf

[scottsAI]

Yes, LOL.

Design is a water wheel on a flex chain!

Why in the world would someone waste money on a patent?

Low head go with a Banki turbine.

MUCH simpler to home build, efficiency as good.

Many fewer parts to fail or wear out.

Have fun,

Scott.

[windspeed]

Thank you for that Scott,

as I thought

can I ask you what  width and diameter of a Banki wheel would you suggest for a head of 2 ft with a flow of 200 us. gpm.

also what size of vane

Windspeed

[scottsAI]

windspeed,

Otherpower has a nice article making Banki turbine.

Most of what I know comes from:

http://agungchynta.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/crossflow-turbine.pdf

And other studying:

http://www.cd3wd.com/CD3WD_40/VITA/BANKITUR/EN/BANKITUR.HTM

Calculating power:

http://www.reuk.co.uk/Calculation-of-Hydro-Power.htm

Looks like 44 watts

Detail most often missed is the water feeding the wheel requires a Nozzle.

A nozzle converts potential energy to kinetic energy.

Water pressure should be at Head pressure just before the nozzle.

The nozzle area must be smaller than the pipe feeding it.

The dia determines RPM at power, smaller = Faster.

For this low heat and power, the smaller dia is important.

Shoot for 4 to 6 inches max.

Low head, want as small as you can make.

Consider building it out of PVC. The edge of the vanes must be a sharp edge.

Have fun,

Scott.

[thirteen]

This idea was brought up in 1988-89 in a science fair in Idaho by some students. But theirs was for a dam being proposed on a river.They were trying to power a pumping station for irrigation. They ended up using water wheel paddles in the river and it turned a pump.  The idea seems like it works but you would be limeted in the areas you could use it mainly because of icing problems that it would have in some areas. How long it would last is another question?  

[windspeed]

Thanks scott

I have looked at all these sites

maths for working out width of nozzle seems to ask for runner outside diameter,how are you to know what this is

Formulas for principal Michell turbine dimensions:

([B.sub.1]) = width of nozzle = 210 x flow

--------------------------------------------

Runner outside diameter x [square root] head

= 210 x 2.8 = 9.8 inches.........HOW IS THIS CAN YOU EXPLAIN

---------

12 x [square root] 25

([B.sub.2]) = width of runner between discs - ([B.sub.1]) = 1/2 to 1 inch

= 9.8 + 1 inch = 10.8 inches

Windspeed

[scottsAI]

Windspeed,

Checking your math; using 12" turbine?

For this head too large.

Expecting turbine to be like 2 foot long.

The flow is large, yet the head is small.

At 44 watts, turbine will not have much torque on it, using smaller dia should not be a problem.

Maybe this will help you:

I came across these years ago, made the error of not keeping a copy.

Took Way, way to long to find again:

Spread sheet may help:

http://www.planetarypower.com.au/info/microhydro/WalshHydro.xls

I did not check this, sheet opened...

http://www.planetarypower.com.au/info/microhydro/crossflow_design.pdf

Now have my copies stored on my HDD.

Have fun,

Scott.