Can a Circular Flow of Water with Turbines Generate Sustainable Energy?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Designer_Wolf
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Flow Turbine Water
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of a circular water flow system with turbines for generating energy. Participants explore the mechanics of the proposed design, including the interaction of hand-cranked turbines and smaller turbines within the system, as well as the implications of perpetual motion and energy efficiency.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a machine involving a circular tube with hand-cranked turbines and smaller turbines, questioning whether the turbines would cancel each other out or continue spinning in one direction.
  • Another participant asks if both hand-cranked turbines pump water in the same direction, suggesting that the water will keep rotating as long as the crank is turned.
  • Concerns are raised about the concept of perpetual motion, with one participant noting that the nature of water flow around turbines involves turbulence, which would lead to energy loss.
  • There is a clarification that the devices in question are propellers, not turbines, and that the direction of spinning depends on the blade setup.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the efficiency of the turbine system compared to directly connecting a crank to a generator.
  • Another participant acknowledges the challenges of developing an efficient energy-generating machine but expresses interest in renewable energy and the potential of 3D printing for prototyping ideas.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the efficiency and practicality of the proposed system, with some questioning the viability of using turbines in this manner. The discussion includes multiple competing perspectives and remains unresolved regarding the effectiveness of the design.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the limitations of the proposed design related to energy loss due to turbulence and the challenges of achieving efficient energy generation. There is also an acknowledgment of the concept of perpetual motion and its implications for the discussion.

Designer_Wolf
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
I'm doing a little project of mine and am currently trying to figure out if my machine(being built) would work how i want it to work.
So i have a tube that goes in a full circle, this tube has 2 hand cranked turbines that give the water its initial motion to go round and round. there's little turbines in the spaces between that would only spin through the motion of the water(being spun round and round by the hand cranked turbines)... So after all that confusion, would the turbines cancel each other out or keep spinning in one direction?
 

Attachments

  • received_1530308796994065.png
    received_1530308796994065.png
    20.6 KB · Views: 618
Physics news on Phys.org
Do both hand cranked turbines pump the water in the same direction (eg both clockwise around the tube)? If so then the water will keep rotating as long as you keep turning the crank.

The little turbines in the spaces between will turn as long as the water is moving through them. How fast they turn will depend on their design and the load connected to them.

What's the purpose of this machine?
 
Designer_Wolf said:
I'm doing a little project of mine and am currently trying to figure out if my machine(being built) would work how i want it to work.
So i have a tube that goes in a full circle, this tube has 2 hand cranked turbines that give the water its initial motion to go round and round. there's little turbines in the spaces between that would only spin through the motion of the water(being spun round and round by the hand cranked turbines)... So after all that confusion, would the turbines cancel each other out or keep spinning in one direction?
I suspect you may be suggesting that, once the motion has started, it would go on for ever.
Firstly, this is "Perpetual Motion" and we do not permit discussion about this topic on PF. Secondly, the nature of water flow round turbines involves a lot of turbulence. This would lose energy a lot faster than just emptying the water out, turn the handle and then watch it all slow down.

If you are only interested in the 'sense' of motion of the turbines and the resulting water flow (and turbulence) then are you asking the difference between your machine and two propellors in tandem in a straight tube?

But the context is interesting(?)
 
Designer_Wolf said:
So i have a tube that goes in a full circle, this tube has 2 hand cranked turbines that give the water its initial motion to go round and round.
Then these 2 are propellers, not turbines.

Designer_Wolf said:
there's little turbines in the spaces between that would only spin through the motion of the water(being spun round and round by the hand cranked turbines)... So after all that confusion, would the turbines cancel each other out or keep spinning in one direction?
If you keep cranking, they will keep spinning. The direction will depend on how you set the blades.
 
Last edited:
sophiecentaur said:
I suspect you may be suggesting that, once the motion has started, it would go on for ever.
Firstly, this is "Perpetual Motion" and we do not permit discussion about this topic on PF. Secondly, the nature of water flow round turbines involves a lot of turbulence. This would lose energy a lot faster than just emptying the water out, turn the handle and then watch it all slow down.

If you are only interested in the 'sense' of motion of the turbines and the resulting water flow (and turbulence) then are you asking the difference between your machine and two propellors in tandem in a straight tube?

But the context is interesting(?)

I'm aware of perpetual motion, i also know that there's no such thing as free energy. Something can't come from nothing, i was more interested to see if the waterflow would remain in the same direction. Thanks for the answer tho, gives me a little more insight into my problem :)
 
CWatters said:
Do both hand cranked turbines pump the water in the same direction (eg both clockwise around the tube)? If so then the water will keep rotating as long as you keep turning the crank.The little turbines in the spaces between will turn as long as the water is moving through them. How fast they turn will depend on their design and the load connected to them.

What's the purpose of this machine?

Its just another form of generating energy. Ofcourse its highly unlikely that i could develop a machine that charges a battery efficiently and fast, but i always found renewable energy amazing. Plus i just got a 3D printer to start printing some of my ideas. My whole idea of this "thing" is just hard to explain. But thanks for your help, atleast i know have an extra insight on waterflow :)
 
Designer_Wolf said:
I'm aware of perpetual motion, i also know that there's no such thing as free energy. Something can't come from nothing, i was more interested to see if the waterflow would remain in the same direction.
OK fine, I just wondered. :smile:

But what's the point in using a turbine system in that way when you could get higher efficiency by turning the alternator directly?
 
Designer_Wolf said:
Its just another form of generating energy. Ofcourse its highly unlikely that i could develop a machine that charges a battery efficiently and fast, but i always found renewable energy amazing. Plus i just got a 3D printer to start printing some of my ideas. My whole idea of this "thing" is just hard to explain. But thanks for your help, atleast i know have an extra insight on waterflow :)
It would be more efficient to just connect the hand crank direct to the generator.
 
Thread closed temporarily for Moderation...
Designer_Wolf said:
I'm aware of perpetual motion, i also know that there's no such thing as free energy. Something can't come from nothing, i was more interested to see if the waterflow would remain in the same direction. Thanks for the answer tho, gives me a little more insight into my problem :)
Designer_Wolf said:
Its just another form of generating energy.
@Designer_Wolf -- Please send me a PM with more information explaining exactly what you are trying to do. Thank you.

EDIT -- Just to clarify, to send somebody a Private Message (PM), click on their avatar or username, and then click on Start a Conversation. :smile:
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
5K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
10K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
13K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K