Pipe Turbine – Proof of Concept

WD Power started an experimental project in 2016. Various turbine and generator configuration options were investigated. The aim of the project is to develop a low cost inline pipe turbine. This unit must be able to fit in an existing pipe line and able to extract excess water pressure into electrical energy.

The final design was unconventional and presented various challenges to the WD Power design team. The first step was to proof that the unique layout concept for this inline pipe turbine could be practically demonstrated. A testbed was designed and built using the available space in our workshop utilising hardware available to us.

A proof of concept unit was designed, build and tested in the dedicated test bed. Various challenges had to be overcome, but we ended 2016 with very positive results as both turbine and generator performed as designed.

All the intended targets of this phase were achieved which included, amongst others, the following aspects:

1. Fitness of the testbed to be used as a driver for the turbine and collect the various critical performance measurements.
2. Generator functioning, self-excitation characteristics and efficiency.
3. Turbine capability to effectively transfer water energy into mechanical energy for generation.
4. Bearing design suitability.
5. Thrust bearing functioning.
6. Speed and overspeed characteristics of the design.

WD Power has now started with the design of a prototype unit which could be tested in real life scenarios. Output of this prototype is targeted at 10 kW, initially using the same testbed before it will be relocated to a suitable site for longer term testing.