Effect of blades number to performance of Savonius drag-type water turbine on flow of water in pipe.

Water is an abundant source of clean and renewable energy. Pico or nano hydro turbines produce electrical energy sources by utilizing the flow of water that rotates the shaft of the electric generator. This study aims to analyze the effect of differences in the number of blades on the rotor of a hydro Pico scale water turbine applied to the flow of water in a vertical pipe. The water level is kept constant at 2 meters. Horizontal axes drag-type Savonius turbine rotors with variations in the number of blades 4, 8, and 12 were used in the study. The main parameters used as a benchmark for the performance of a water turbine are rotor rotation, voltage, current and electrical power generated. The results showed that drag-type water turbines with 4 blades number produced the best performance. The maximum power generated is 7.4 Watts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]