Outer Hinged Blades Vertical Shaft Kinetic Turbine Flow Pattern Visualization
The Micro hydro power plant (MHPP) development can be used to supply electricity to people living in remote areas. Because the electricity needed in this area is usually not too big. In remote areas and located far from the electricity transmission network, electricity supplies from small capacity power plants is needed, especially those that utilize renewable local energy potential. The energy utilization as electricity generation is by utilizing available kinetic energy (water potential and water flow speed). The research carried out experimentally and then optimized with Response Surface Methodology. The optimization results are then tested again so as to obtain verification results from the optimization value. Furthermore, based on the value of optimization, visual observations are made to see the flow behavior that occurs on the outside hinged blade and turbine chamber. From the visual observations, it was found that not all the water flow hit the turbine blade surface. On the blade back side, the water flow that hits the turbine blade will increase the turbine rotation. On the blade front side, the water flow that hits the outer blade will open the blade and the water flow will come out immediately from the turbine so that it will reduce the negative torque or back rotation.