Study of Gorlov Turbine with Experimental Test in Karawang Area

• Main Author: PRIYAMBODO (NIM 13103137); Pembimbing: Dr. Ir. Abdurrachim Halim, TAURINO
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/13866
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

As the world faces fossil fuel shortage and increasing demand for electricity, the need for renewable energy sources becomes greater than ever. A solution for this problem is using water current to generate electricity. This solution is particularly viable in Indonesia, as the country's territory largely consists of water, and therefore has abundant water current potential energy. One of the most popular technology to harness water current energy today is the Gorlov turbine, which is able to operate at low water currents with high efficiency compared to other such technologies.<p>This Final Project consists of the preparation and testing of a Gorlov turbine prototype. Preparation includes location survey and designing and building a device to measure the turbine's torque. This measuring device is built from a motorcycle drum brake, modified to match the turbine's shaft dimension and to ensure reliable and practical operation during testing. The testing phase consists of measuring parameters that affects the turbine's performance, namely water current velocity, rotation speed, torque, efficiency and tip speed ratio of the turbine.<p>The result consists of a power output relationship chart and efficiency measurements at various water current velocities. Maximum power gained from 1m/s water current is about 185 watt with efficiency about 30%. In addition, the tip speed ratio of the turbine is also obtained, that is 1. These results are then compared to the stated performance specifications of the Gorlov turbine. From the comparison, it can be known that the prototype of Gorlov turbine has not yet have optimum dimension or profile which can produce maximum power.