UNDERSHOT WATERWHEEL ANALYSIS COMPARING THREE VARIATIONS OF THE LABORATORY SCALE

A waterwheel is a technology that has been used by people in rural areas to lift and distribute water to a higher base than water sources. The waterwheel has a relatively simple design, large diameter, high speed and high torque. However, its application as a micro-hydro with high speed and small diameter remains to be explored. Waterwheels can operate efficiently in locations with high flow rates. The waterwheel functions from the blade of the waterwheel as a place to ride water so that the wheel can rotate. This research is an experimental study made in the form of a laboratory scale by comparing three models of blades, namely curved blades, bent blades and flat blades. The purpose of this study is to provide recommendations regarding the most appropriate type of blade to use. This research was conducted with three stages of testing, namely testing for curved, bent and flat blades. Each test of the blade model is carried out with seven variations of the flow rate which is adjusted to the cross-sectional opening of the water channel. From the results of the undershot waterwheel test by comparing three models of blades using seven variations of the same flow rate, the greatest power is found in the curved blade waterwheel, then the flat blade and the bent blade. This shows that the curved blade waterwheel is the most suitable for use.