An empirical study on the performance of overshot water wheel in very low-head water resources

Md Basar, Mohd Farriz and Zulkarnain, Izzatie Akmal and Sopian, Kamaruzzaman (2024) An empirical study on the performance of overshot water wheel in very low-head water resources. International Journal of Renewable Energy Research, 15 (4). pp. 685-696. ISSN 1309-0127

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Abstract

The overshot water wheel is a common type of gravity turbine widely used in low-head and low-flow water applications. The primary objective of this study is to develop a simple overshot water wheel, referred to as the Bottle-Blade Overshot Water Wheel (BOWW), and to evaluate its efficiency while investigating the effects of varying water head levels and blade numbers. The BOWW utilises polyethylene bottles for blade fabrication, offering an innovative and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional water wheel designs. Experimental testing was conducted using a water test rig that simulates actual hydropower site conditions. Key performance parameters, including power output, rotational speed, torque, and system efficiency, were evaluated. The experimental performance of the BOWW was analysed using governing equations and compared with previously published results for breastshot and overshot water wheel turbines. The results show that the BOWW equipped with eight blades and operating at a 0.5 m head produced mechanical and electrical power outputs of 48.58 W and 15.55 W, respectively. The eight-blade configuration achieved an efficiency ranging from 26.8% to 49.1%, whereas the four-blade configuration exhibited efficiencies between 5.66% and 28.96%. The higher performance of the eight-blade BOWW is attributed to increased rotational speed, resulting in greater power output and efficiency. Overall, the findings demonstrate that the eight-blade BOWW is an effective and low-cost solution for low-head and low-flow hydropower applications.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Low head, Low flow, Overshot water wheel, Pico hydropower
Divisions:	Faculty Of Electrical Technology And Engineering
Depositing User:	Sabariah Ismail
Date Deposited:	20 Jul 2026 08:20
Last Modified:	20 Jul 2026 08:20
URI:	http://eprints.utem.edu.my/id/eprint/30157
Statistic Details:	View Download Statistic

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