Abstract
Pump as turbine is one of the options for low-cost and simple electric power generation that suitable for rural area. Pump as turbine facing the same problem as any other hydropower plant which is low efficiency. Researchers focus on modification of the impeller, such as rounding, trimming, and surface smoothing. Most of the modified impeller was closed impeller type. The objective of this research was to investigate the possibility to generate more electric power of a PAT by using semi-open impeller. Simulation analysis was performed to analyze fluid flow in the pump housing. The simulation result shows the fluid velocity for open, semi-open and closed impeller is 646.87, 641.76, 639.89 m/s, respectively. The pressure of each open, semi-open and closed impeller is approximately 356, 361, and 388 kPa, respectively. The conclusion is that the open impeller had a higher velocity and lower pressure among two others. In the experimental testing, a semi-open impeller was selected because it had more strength and rigid body when it encountered the water impact. Three semi-open impellers with a blade thickness of 2, 4 and 6 mm made of brass were manufactured and tested. A close impeller which is the original impeller of the pump was also tested as a comparison. It is found that the open impeller with 2 mm blade thickness generated more electric power, approximately 36% than the original impeller.
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