Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) in hydro turbines
Sassine, Bilal; Paramullage Don, Hasitha (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025120532788
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025120532788
Tiivistelmä
The current work looks at the possibility of using Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) for Kaplan turbine blade to increase the efficiency, durability, and sustainability of the system in hydroelectric power units. CFRP material has the advantages of higher specific strength, corrosion resistance and fatigue behaviour as compared to the conventional metallic materials used in hydro turbine blades, including the stainless steel and bronze. This work aims at understanding how CFRP can improve the performance of the turbines, lower the mechanical loads, and increase the turbine life of a turbine, particularly in small to medium-scale hydropower applications.
The study looks at the advantages of anisotropic fiber orientation, the manufacturing procedures necessary for blade construction, and the mechanical characteristics of CFRP to maximize structural performance under hydrodynamic loading.
As part of the project, a Kaplan turbine blade was designed using CFRP material through 3D modelling in SolidWorks, followed by FEM analysis to evaluate stress distribution, deformation, buckling resistance, and natural frequency behavior.
The findings clearly indicate that CFRP surpasses traditional metals in terms of mechanical performance, offering notable advantages such as reduced weight, enhanced dynamic response, and greater durability. These results underscore the significant potential of CFRP for advancing renewable energy technologies, particularly in hydro turbine applications. This study adds meaningful evidence to the ongoing shift toward composite materials in the field.
The study looks at the advantages of anisotropic fiber orientation, the manufacturing procedures necessary for blade construction, and the mechanical characteristics of CFRP to maximize structural performance under hydrodynamic loading.
As part of the project, a Kaplan turbine blade was designed using CFRP material through 3D modelling in SolidWorks, followed by FEM analysis to evaluate stress distribution, deformation, buckling resistance, and natural frequency behavior.
The findings clearly indicate that CFRP surpasses traditional metals in terms of mechanical performance, offering notable advantages such as reduced weight, enhanced dynamic response, and greater durability. These results underscore the significant potential of CFRP for advancing renewable energy technologies, particularly in hydro turbine applications. This study adds meaningful evidence to the ongoing shift toward composite materials in the field.