Hydrodynamic optimisation of a horizontal-axis hydrokinetic turbine for the River Ganga using a semi-analytical approach

This study explores the design and optimisation of a horizontal-axis hydrokinetic turbine tailored to the unique flow conditions of the Ganga River, addressing a critical gap in deploying such technologies within the Indian subcontinent. The novelty lies in a rigorous multi-stage methodology, site-s...

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Main Authors: Kripal, Anoop Kanjirakat
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:International Journal of Sustainable Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19397038.2025.2526404
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author Kripal
Anoop Kanjirakat
author_facet Kripal
Anoop Kanjirakat
author_sort Kripal
collection DOAJ
description This study explores the design and optimisation of a horizontal-axis hydrokinetic turbine tailored to the unique flow conditions of the Ganga River, addressing a critical gap in deploying such technologies within the Indian subcontinent. The novelty lies in a rigorous multi-stage methodology, site-specific flow analysis, comparative hydrofoil evaluation of predominantly used profiles, cavitation safety assessment, and exploration of a swept blade approach to enhance performance. The research aims to improve efficiency and maximise annual energy production by offering a sustainable, low-impact alternative to traditional hydroelectric systems, ultimately achieving an output of 3569 kWh/year. Among 20 hydrofoil candidates evaluated, the SG 6043 and NACA 63–818 were identified as optimal in terms of lift-to-drag performance. SG 6043 was selected based on superior cavitation resistance, an essential criterion in hydrokinetic turbine design. The turbine configuration was determined using a rotor optimisation tool integrating a genetic algorithm with a semi-analytical blade-element momentum theory. This enabled identification of an optimal configuration ensuring an efficient power curve while maintaining sufficient cavitation safety margin. Additionally, the investigation revealed that the swept blade design did not yield performance benefits under the given site-specific conditions.
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1939-7046
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spelling doaj-art-36951aec83b6468c8bbee0710f4d10b32025-08-20T03:11:51ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Sustainable Engineering1939-70381939-70462025-12-0118110.1080/19397038.2025.2526404Hydrodynamic optimisation of a horizontal-axis hydrokinetic turbine for the River Ganga using a semi-analytical approachKripal0Anoop Kanjirakat1Department of Aeronautical and Automobile Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, IndiaDepartment of Aeronautical and Automobile Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, IndiaThis study explores the design and optimisation of a horizontal-axis hydrokinetic turbine tailored to the unique flow conditions of the Ganga River, addressing a critical gap in deploying such technologies within the Indian subcontinent. The novelty lies in a rigorous multi-stage methodology, site-specific flow analysis, comparative hydrofoil evaluation of predominantly used profiles, cavitation safety assessment, and exploration of a swept blade approach to enhance performance. The research aims to improve efficiency and maximise annual energy production by offering a sustainable, low-impact alternative to traditional hydroelectric systems, ultimately achieving an output of 3569 kWh/year. Among 20 hydrofoil candidates evaluated, the SG 6043 and NACA 63–818 were identified as optimal in terms of lift-to-drag performance. SG 6043 was selected based on superior cavitation resistance, an essential criterion in hydrokinetic turbine design. The turbine configuration was determined using a rotor optimisation tool integrating a genetic algorithm with a semi-analytical blade-element momentum theory. This enabled identification of an optimal configuration ensuring an efficient power curve while maintaining sufficient cavitation safety margin. Additionally, the investigation revealed that the swept blade design did not yield performance benefits under the given site-specific conditions.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19397038.2025.2526404Renewable energyhydrokinetic turbinecavitationswept blade design
spellingShingle Kripal
Anoop Kanjirakat
Hydrodynamic optimisation of a horizontal-axis hydrokinetic turbine for the River Ganga using a semi-analytical approach
International Journal of Sustainable Engineering
Renewable energy
hydrokinetic turbine
cavitation
swept blade design
title Hydrodynamic optimisation of a horizontal-axis hydrokinetic turbine for the River Ganga using a semi-analytical approach
title_full Hydrodynamic optimisation of a horizontal-axis hydrokinetic turbine for the River Ganga using a semi-analytical approach
title_fullStr Hydrodynamic optimisation of a horizontal-axis hydrokinetic turbine for the River Ganga using a semi-analytical approach
title_full_unstemmed Hydrodynamic optimisation of a horizontal-axis hydrokinetic turbine for the River Ganga using a semi-analytical approach
title_short Hydrodynamic optimisation of a horizontal-axis hydrokinetic turbine for the River Ganga using a semi-analytical approach
title_sort hydrodynamic optimisation of a horizontal axis hydrokinetic turbine for the river ganga using a semi analytical approach
topic Renewable energy
hydrokinetic turbine
cavitation
swept blade design
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19397038.2025.2526404
work_keys_str_mv AT kripal hydrodynamicoptimisationofahorizontalaxishydrokineticturbinefortherivergangausingasemianalyticalapproach
AT anoopkanjirakat hydrodynamicoptimisationofahorizontalaxishydrokineticturbinefortherivergangausingasemianalyticalapproach