Computational Modelling and Performance Analysis of a River Turbine

This paper proposes the design and validation methodology for a sustainable water supply system using river energy, updating a historical mechanism. Among the strategies of the European Green Deal, applications are framed for the decontamination of the aquatic environment and the use of clean energies. Within these priorities, this work is based on the key characteristics of historical proposals, which, although they no longer respond to current needs, still serve as a reference to propose modern designs. In particular and based on the mechanism of Toledo (Spain) by Juanelo Turriano, a water supply design using electric water pumps is proposed. The necessary energy is directly obtained from the river, with the use of a turbine. To validate the proposed design, and verify the requirements, a model is developed using computational fluid mechanics tools. The results provide key variables specific simulations, thus establishing a scalable validation methodology for this sustainable design.