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Hydraulic performance of an ancient Spanish watermill

Author

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  • Pujol, Toni
  • Solà, Jordi
  • Montoro, Lino
  • Pelegrí, Marc

Abstract

Here we analyze the hydraulic performance of an ancient Spanish horizontal watermill. Previous studies of similar devices have focused on qualitative descriptions of their technical functioning, providing efficiency curves based on two-dimensional analytical approximations. In contrast, here we perform three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations that allow us to obtain quantitative values for both the hydraulic torque and the power. The results here found reveal how previous studies clearly overestimated the efficiency of these devices. Finally, we make use of the capabilities of CFDs by investigating the performance of a modified blade profile. The new design here proposed successfully increases the energy efficiency (up to 44%) in comparison with the classical one.

Suggested Citation

  • Pujol, Toni & Solà, Jordi & Montoro, Lino & Pelegrí, Marc, 2010. "Hydraulic performance of an ancient Spanish watermill," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 387-396.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:35:y:2010:i:2:p:387-396
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2009.03.033
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sharma, Ramesh C. & Bisht, Yashpal & Sharma, Rekha & Singh, Deepak, 2008. "Gharats (watermills): Indigenous device for sustainable development of renewable hydro-energy in Uttrakhand Himalayas," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 33(10), pages 2199-2206.
    2. Rojas-Sola, José Ignacio & López-García, Rafael, 2007. "Engineering graphics and watermills: Ancient technology in Spain," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(12), pages 2019-2033.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Pujol, T. & Vashisht, A.K. & Ricart, J. & Culubret, D. & Velayos, J., 2015. "Hydraulic efficiency of horizontal waterwheels: Laboratory data and CFD study for upgrading a western Himalayan watermill," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 576-586.
    2. Quaranta, Emanuele & Revelli, Roberto, 2018. "Gravity water wheels as a micro hydropower energy source: A review based on historic data, design methods, efficiencies and modern optimizations," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 414-427.
    3. Vashisht, A.K., 2012. "Current status of the traditional watermills of the Himalayan region and the need of technical improvements for increasing their energy efficiency," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 307-315.
    4. Suyesh, Bhattarai & Parag, Vichare & Keshav, Dahal & Ahmed, Al Makky & Abdul-Ghani, Olabi, 2019. "Novel trends in modelling techniques of Pelton Turbine bucket for increased renewable energy production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 87-101.
    5. Pujol, T. & Montoro, L., 2010. "High hydraulic performance in horizontal waterwheels," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(11), pages 2543-2551.
    6. Anupam Bhatt & Dipika Rana & Brij Lal, 2021. "Gharat: an environment friendly livelihood source for the natives of western Himalaya, India," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(12), pages 18471-18487, December.

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