The Design and Evaluation of the Dual-Helix Archimedes Screw Turbine Using Computational Fluid Dynamics and Finite Element Analysis

This study designed and evaluated a dual-helix Archimedes Screw Turbine (AST) for low-head hydropower using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The research aimed to improve hydraulic performance over conventional single-helix designs. A 3D CAD model was simulated under varying flow rates (0.01–0.02 m³/s), inclination angles (20°–45°), and hydraulic heads (0.5–1.0 m). CFD results showed that performance was highly sensitive to these operational parameters, achieving a maximum power output of 245 W at 0.02 m³/s and a 45° inclination under a 1.0 m head. Comparative analysis revealed that the dual-helix AST produced 65 W under a 0.7 m head, nearly doubling the 33 W output of a conventional single-helix turbine under similar conditions. Structural evaluation using FEA with Stainless Steel 316 properties confirmed the design's reliability, with minimal deformation, a safety factor exceeding 10, and a fatigue life of 1 x 10^7 cycles. The findings demonstrate that the dual-helix AST is a technically feasible and efficient solution for sustainable micro-hydropower generation in rural Philippine communities.