NUMERICAL MODELING OF WATER FLOW THROUGH HYDRAULIC GATES AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE EFFICIENCY OF BANKI TURBINES IN MICRO-HYDROPOWER SYSTEMS

This paper presents a numerical investigation of the velocity and pressure distribution of water flow through a hydraulic sluice gate and its influence on the performance of a Banki turbine used in micro-hydropower systems. The study is based on the fundamental equations of fluid mechanics, including the Bernoulli and Navier–Stokes equations, and considers different flow regimes characterized by the Reynolds number. Numerical simulations were carried out using the SolidWorks Flow Simulation module to analyze variations in flow velocity and pressure under different gate opening conditions. The results demonstrate an inverse relationship between velocity and pressure, confirming the principle of energy conservation in hydraulic flows. Regions of increased velocity are accompanied by significant pressure reduction, which may lead to cavitation under certain operating conditions. In addition, the nonlinear behavior of turbulent flow is revealed, indicating the necessity of numerical modeling for accurate prediction of hydraulic parameters. Furthermore, the study discusses the main hydraulic, geometric, operational, and natural factors affecting the efficiency of the Banki turbine. The rational selection of turbine geometry, blade number, and inlet flow direction is shown to reduce hydraulic losses and improve energy conversion efficiency. The integration of flow modeling with turbine performance analysis provides a scientific basis for optimizing the design and operation of micro-hydropower plants and contributes to the sustainable utilization of small-scale hydropower resources.