A Study of the Developing Archimedes Screw as a Turbine

Abstract

Electricity plays an imperative role in improving the rural or remote community economic growth and quality of life. The pico hydro type Archimedes screw turbine (AST) is considered an independent power plant in rural or remote areas. The advantages of the AST are friendly to aquatic biota, the high and stable efficiency (electrical efficiency of 30% to 49%), and can operate in a run of river conditions. However, although this technology has been studied ± two decades, there is still no theory explaining the relationship between conversion energy, the geometry of screws, and efficiency. Therefore, the development of Archimedes screw focuses on the role of a converter water energy categorized as the environmentally friendly power plant. Thus, this paper aims to describe the future work required for the AST so that the basic principles and empirical theories are found. Based on reviews, the AST design can use Rorres and Muller & Senior analysis, AC generators with a pulley and toothed belt transmission systems, and do not immerse the outflow bucket side in the water. Furthermore, for AST to be better, several studies need to be done such as the method of manufacturing precision screws, the effect bubbles in the bucket and how to avoid them, determination optimum of the head and screw length using the slope angle, and investigation of the ratio of the inlet velocity with the angular velocity of a wheel on performance to avoid overflow leakage due to loading.