Archimedes Screw to Generate Hydroelectricity at Moderate Flow, Tucumachay-Huancavelica

Abstract

The Archimedes screw has been used as a pump since ancient times and more recently has been used to generate hydroelectricity in power plants up to about 200 kW, thus representing an optimal way to generate hydroelectric power in places with very low altitude and moderate flow. The objective of this study is to generate hydroelectricity at moderate flow rate by using the Archimedes screw to supply lighting. An analysis of the behavior of a prototype of an optimizing mechanism of kinetic energy at low flow for electric power generation was carried out at the South American Camelids Research and Development Center “Lachocc”, by physical and non-conventional mechanisms, without the intervention of other types of energy such as photovoltaic electricity and other conventional ones, based on the scientific study, carrying out field and laboratory tests taking advantage of the natural fall source located in the same area. It is highlighted among the results that the theoretical electric power was increased from 9.84 to 12 watts, a very important value because the study considered prototypes of 10 cm of blade diameter in the test prototype. It is concluded that, for the development of an optimal Archimedes hydro-generator peak, the best combination of factors that generate greater mechanical power involves wide blades, the turbine axis in a horizontal position, and the fixed structure, because if the axis is in movement, turbulences are generated that do not allow obtaining greater power.