An experimental investigation of the performance of cross-flow turbine: impact of number of blades in runner

This study examines a cross-flow turbomachine designed for power generation in areas with limited discharge and head availability, focusing on sustainability, affordability, and ease of operation. It investigates how varying the number of blades in the runner affects turbine performance while keeping other design factors constant. Testing runners with 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 blades under identical conditions reveal consistent RPM variations across different blade numbers for various parameter combinations. The study identifies a 12-blade configuration as optimal for electrification projects at selected sites. Experimental validation using the Taguchi technique confirms the reliability of the findings. Additionally, the research explores the turbine's performance under different nozzle tip elevations (18 cm, 16 cm, and 14 cm). The highest observed runner speed is 345 RPM for the 12-blade runner at an 8° angle of attack, with similar speeds recorded for the 24-blade runner under similar conditions.