Metodología para el diseño de turbinas hidráulicas de vórtice gravitacional mediante optimización basada en modelos sustitutos

Abstract

ABSTRACT : For many years fossil fuels have been considered the main source of energy for electricity, heating and transport applications, but their rapid depletion together with the global warming that their use produces, are significantly affect the way of life of humanity unless the energy takes advantage of renewable sources. Within renewable energy sources, small-scale hydroelectric power is the main ally in the generation of clean energy, since its developments have a long useful life with more than 100 years demonstrated and even with possibilities of new designs and technological adaptations. Within these new designs, the gravitational water vortex hydraulic turbines (GWVHT) arise. A GWVHT is a run-of-the-river power plant that harnesses the kinetic and potential energy of an artificially induced vortex in a basin with a central outlet. Its main interest is the ability to generate energy in low head and flow ranges, so the turbine allows taking advantage of sites that until now were not possible with conventional hydraulic turbines. Considering that it is necessary to research and implement generation systems with renewable energies, this doctoral thesis seeks to establish a methodology for the design of the main components of a GWVHT (rotor, basin, inlet channel and discharge), making use of a multi-objective parametric optimization algorithm based on surrogate models, which allow maximizing the conversion efficiency of the system. A prototype manufactured with the specifications obtained in the optimization was characterized; the characterization allowed validating the obtained equations and plotting the turbine operation curves. The curves allow knowing the operating ranges of the system, that is, the flow and head needs for the system to work, and identify how its efficiency changes in these ranges. The technological product developed could be an alternative for the supply of electrical energy in conditions of environmental sustainability; understanding environmental sustainability as the balance that is generated through the harmonious relationship between society and the nature that surrounds it and of which it is a part. Environmental sustainability implies achieving development results without threatening the sources of natural resources and without compromising those of future generations.