TOPIC

PAGE

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

APPARATUS

PROCEDURE

THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE

PRESAUTIONS

12

RESULTS

13

CALCULATIONS

14

DISCUSION
15
CONCLUSION
16
REFERENCES
17

PERFORMANCE TEST OF A PELTON WHEEL TURBINE

Aim
To study the variance of the power output and overall efficiency against discharge with
the head retained as a constant at normal speed.
Abstract
The findings of an experiment carried out to study the properties and performance of a
pelton wheel are herein discussed with much emphasis placed on the output
measured. The resulting output was discussed against the theoretical output to
determine presence and causes of a deviation. The results were presented in graphical
method and the properties of the graph used to discuss the properties of the turbine
under study.
Flow was varied and head measured against each variance to indicate the power in the
system. Other parameters necessary for the study were also measured and recorded
for the study. The pelton wheel under study was of a smaller scale though it acted as a
representative of a similar system in large scale.
The results were also used for the checking of scaling laws used for rturbines.
Introduction
A pelton wheel turbine is a tangential flow impulse hydraulic machine that is actively
used for the production of power from kinetic energy of flowing water. It is the only
form of impulse turbine in common industrial use. It is a robust and simple machine
that is ideal for the production of power from low volume water flows at a high head
with reasonable efficiency.
The pelton wheel used in this experiment, although a model, reproduces all the
characteristics of full size machines and allows an experimental program to determine
the performance of a turbine and also to verify the theory of design.
Impulse turbines operate through a mechanism that first converts head through a
nozzle into high velocity, which strikes the buckets at single position as they pass
by.jet flows past the buckets is quite essential at constant pressure thus runner
3

passages are never fully filled. These turbines are suited for relatively low power and
high head derivations. The pelton wheel turbine is comprised of three basic
components that include the stationary inlet nozzle, the runner and the casing. The
multiple buckets form the runner. They are mounted on a rotating wheel. They are
shaped in a manner that divides the flow in half and turn in a velocity vector that is
nearly 180degrees.
The nozzle is positioned in a similar plane as the wheel and is arranged so that the jet
of water impinges tangentially on to the buckets. The nozzle is controlled by movement
of the spear regulator along the axis of the nozzle which alters the annular space
between the spear and the housing. A static pressure tapping is provided to enable the
measurement of the water pressure in the inlet.

Fig. The configuration of the nozzle and buckets in a Pelton

wheel turbine
The nozzle is controlled by movement of the spear regulator along the axis of the
nozzle which alters the annular space between the spear and the housing, the spear
being shaped so as to induce the fluid to coalesce into a circular jet of varying
diameter according to the position of the spear.
A friction dynamometer consists of a 60mm diameter brake wheel fitted with a fabric
brake band which is tensioned by a weight hanger and masses with the fixed end
being secures via a spring balance to the support frame. A tachometer may be used to
measure the speed of the turbine.

Fig. General arrangement of the pelton wheel turbine

Apparatus used
For the purpose of the study, the following system of apparatus were used

FIG. Arrangement of Apparatus used in the Pelton Wheel Turbine Test

List of apparatus as labeled
in the diagram above

V- 1,2,3

:Sluice valve

:Balance

:Nozzle

:Hook Gauge

NV

:Needle valve

PB
W

:Plony brake
:Waterway

PG2
T
TW

:Pressure gauge
:Main tank
:Triangular weir

A thermometer was also used for the determination of the water temperature.
6

The tachometer was used optically in the determination of the speed of the turbine so
as to retain the speed at 900rpm.
Procedure
The sluice valve, V-2, was opened to supply water to the turbine, and the needle
valve of the nozzle, N, was opened manually by the handle, MV, to allow the water
flow. As the turbine rotated cooling water was supplied into the plony brake.
Importance was taken such that the temperature did not exceed 60 C for the most
efficient operation.
Initially the needle valve was fully opened, and the sluice was adjusted to bring the
pressure head on the turbine to 27m.
The pressure head was maintained at 27m throughout the experiment period,
and was monitored by the pressure gauge-PG -2. To maintain the turbine speed at
900rpm, the adjusting screw of the plony brake, Z, was tightened and when the arm of
the plony brake got. At that speed, the spring balance, X, reading (Kg) was recorded as
the load on the plony brake.
The experiment was performed several times (15 times) by shutting the needle valve in
bits. It was noted that for each revolution the needle advanced 1.25mm.
As a precautionary measure the needle valve, NV, was not shut completely
before shutting off the sluice valve, V-2, because the pump water pressure might
break some of the vinyl tubes between the sluice valve and the needle valve.

Theoretical Knowledge pertaining to the experiment

The efficiency of the turbine is defined as the ratio between the power developed by the
turbine to the available water power. Figure below shows the layout of a hydro-electric
power plant in which the turbine is pelton wheel. Water from the reservoir flows
through the penstock at the outlet of which is fitted a nozzle. The nozzle increases the
kinetic energy of the water jets. These water jets strike the bucket of the runner
making it rotate.
The two main parts of the pelton turbine are:
i.
ii.

the nozzle and the flow regulating arrangement

the runner with the buckets

Fig. Indication of actual state of operation of a pelton wheel turbine

The amount of water striking the buckets is controlled by providing a spear in the
nozzle as shown in Figure below. The spear is a conical needle which is operated either
by a band wheel or automatically in an axial direction depending on the size of the
unit. When the spear is pushed forward into the nozzle, the amount of water striking
the runner is reduced, where as if the spear is pushed back the amount of water is
increased.

Fig. Velocity Analysis

Figure below shows the pelton turbine. It consists of a circular disc (the runner) on the
periphery of which a number of buckets evenly spaced are fixed. The shape of the
buckets is a double hemispherical cup or bowl. Each bucket is divided into two
symmetrical parts by a dividing wall which is known as a splitter. The jet of water
strikes the splitter which then divides
the jet into two equal parts and the jet comes out at the outer edge of the bucket. The
buckets are shaped in such a way the jet gets deflected through 160 or 170.

Definition of terms
1. Total Head: The difference between the head race level and the tail race level
when no water is flowing is known as Total Head (Hg).
2. Net Head: It is also called the effective head and is the available head at the
inlet of the turbine. When water is flowing from head race to turbine, there is
head loss due to friction between the water and the penstocks. There could also
be minor head losses such as loss due to bends, pipe fittings and entrance loss
of penstock etc. If hf is the total head loss, then net head on the turbine is given
by

H=H gh f

Pelton turbine is best suited to operating under very high heads

compared with other types of turbines.

9

3. Overall Efficiency: The overall efficiency of a pelton turbine is the ratio of the
useful power output to the power input. Mathematically,

Power available

Overall efficiency ( ov )= the shaft

Power suppied at theinlet
Power supplied at the inlet of the turbine or the water horse power is given by the
expression

gHQ
750 .

Where = density of water (kg/m3),

g = acceleration due to gravity (9.81m2/sec),
Q = discharge,
H = net head (m).
The power losses that occur within a turbine are attributed to volumetric, mechanical
and hydraulic losses. Volumetric losses ## some of the volume of the water is
discharged to the # without striking the runner buckets. Thus the ratio of the volume
of the water # striking the runner to the volume of the water supplied to the turbine is
defined as the volumetric efficiency.
Mathematically,

volume of water supplied

volume of water striking the bucket
Volumetric efficiency ( v )=
theturbine

The shaft horse power (SHP) output is less than power input due to power consumed
in overcoming mechanical friction at bearings and stuffing boxes. The ratio of the
power available at the shaft of the turbine to the power developed by the runner is
called the mechanical efficiency (m) of the turbine.
Mathematically,

m =

Power at the shaft of theturbine

Power developed by the runner

10

The water head actually utilized by a turbine is less than that available because of
frictional losses as water flows across the buckets. The water power at the inlet of the
turbine due to hydraulic losses as the vanes are not smooth and water jet is not
completely turned back. The ratio of the power developed by the runner to the
available power at the inlet is known as the hydraulic efficiency ( h) of the pelton
turbine.
Mathematically,

h =

Power developed by the runner

Power availableat theinlet

Normal overall efficiency ( ov ) =v m h

Performance characteristic curve of pelton turbines

These are curves with the help of which the exact performance behavior of the
turbines under different working conditions can be ascertained. The curves are plotted
from the results of the tests performed on turbines under different working conditions.
The quantities that can be varied during a test on a turbine are: speed, head,
discharge, power, overall efficiency and gate opening.
If the speed and water head of a pelton turbine are maintained at constant values,
then the curves obtained by plotting the discharge (Q) against both the power outputs
and the overall efficiencies are called the operating characteristic curves of the pelton
turbine.
Preparation of the Experiment
The asbestos of the plony brake (PB) (details as shown in Figure 4) should be oiled
before the experiment is started. This ensures easier reading of the load on the spring
balance.
The sluice valves, V-1, 2, 3 are put in closed positions. Before the pump is started
ensure that it is filled up with water i.e. primary and once started it should not be
allowed to run for long before opening any of the valves V-1, 2, 3. This is to prevent it
from getting overheated.
11

Figure: Details of the plony brake

A triangular weir is used to determine the discharge through the circuit. The water
head through the weir is measured with a hook gauge; first the zero water head is
measured. This is done as follows:
Keeping the water flowing over the weir, observe reflection of the end of the weir V on
the water from the upper stream side. Open the cork valve (V-8) positioned under the
waterway, to lower the surface water level and then read the water head with the hook
gauge when the end of the weir V coincides with end of the shade V reflected on the
surface of the water. This reading is recorded as the zero water head. Then close cork
valve (V-8) to prepare for the other readings.
The other water heads are read when the point of the hook gauge coincides with the
reflection itself in the water through a glass window. In every case allow the water to
settle before recording the reading i.e. waits for about 5 minutes after the flow
adjustment before you take the next reading.

Precautions taken
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1. It was ensured that the centrifugal pump that supplies water in this system
is primed first before the mortar is started.
2. The gate openings were set carefully and throughout each gate opening, the
spear wheel and the delivery valve were not changed.

Results
Fundamental Data

Properties of turbine

Revolution speed (N)

900 rpm

Pressure head on turbine

27 m

Length of the handle of the plony brake

Properties of V-notch

0.130 m

Half angle of V-notch ()

45

Coefficient of discharge (CdV)

0.576

Coefficient (KV)

1.360

Crest level (hook gauge)

0.21805 m

Operation Data

13

Theoretic
al power
input
V-notch

e
Reading

Head

Discharge
(Q)

(HV)

Temperatu
re

Overall

power

Efficie

Pa

ncy

reading

HP

kg

HP

(w)

(ov)

Density
()

10 m /s

balance

Actual

(Pth)
Properties of water

Stag

Spring

kg/m3

0.17020

0.04785

0.681

18.0

998.595

2.401

14

2.287

95.248

0.16280

0.05525

0.976

19.5

998.305

3.439

20

3.267

95.007

0.15645

0.06160

1.281

19.5

998.305

4.514

27

4.411

97.717

0.15255

0.06550

1.493

20.0

998.203

5.262

32

5.228

99.345

0.14865

0.06940

1.726

20.0

998.203

6.081

36

5.881

96.717

0.14700

0.07105

1.830

20.0

998.203

6.449

38

6.208

96.266

0.14525

0.07280

1.945

20.0

998.203

6.853

40

6.535

95.353

0.14400

0.07405

2.029

20.0

998.203

7.151

40

6.535

91.379

0.14265

0.07540

2.123

20.0

998.203

7.481

41

6.698

89.528

10

0.14180

0.07625

2.183

20.0

998.203

7.694

41

6.698

87.053

Calculations
a) The theoretical power input (Pth) of the turbine given by the expression:

Pth =

gHQ
HP
75 60

14

Where = density of water (depends on the water temperature and atmospheric

pressure),
Q = discharge,
H = net water head on the turbine (given H=27m).
Example:

Pth =

998.5959.81270.681
HP
75 60

Pth =

2.401W

b) The actual power output (Pa) of the turbine is obtained from the expression:

P a=

2 xNw
HP
75 60

Where x = length of the handle of the plony brake (given as 0.130m),

N = revolution per minute of the turbine (supposed to be 900rpm),
w = load exerted by the plony brake (kg) read on the spring balance.
Example

P a=

2 0.1390014
HP
75 60

Pa= 2.287 HP

c) The overall efficiency of the pelton turbine (ov) is given by the formula:

ov =

Pa
100
Pth

Calculate the overall efficiencies of the pelton turbine at each discharge

15

Example:

ov =

2.287
100
2.401

=95.248

Discussion
From the above calculations the values of actual power output are slightly lower
than the values of theoretical power output of the turbine and thus from this a
relationship between the discharge, actual output and efficiency can be shown using a
graph as indicated below.

109
f(x) = - 1409219912.52x^3 + 5140098.29x^2 - 2357.87x + 1.96
6
104
5

Power Out (HP)

Power out (HP)

Polynomial (Power Out (HP))

99
f(x) = - 15261743.52x^2 + 39796.77x + 73.25

Efficiency (%)

94

2
89
Polynomial (efficiency
(%))

efficiency (%)
1
0

84
0

Discharge (m3/s)

16

From this relationship, it is possible to prove that the higher the power output of a
turbine, the higher the efficiency. These are functions of the discharge.
It is also correct to indicaate that efficiency of the system increases with increase in
the specific speed of the pelton wheel. This has been derived from the relationship of
the values collected, tabulated and graphed as herein.

Conclusion
This experiment was carried out with an acceptable level of accuracy. It was
generally a success as the results obtained were useful for the analysis of the
properties of the machine.
From the experimental results, it became possible for the real picture of the
operational basis of the machine to be displayed in such a way that the characteristics
of the turbine were visible in the graphical analysis used.
The experiment was not fully accurate due to several errors that resulted from
several misdoings. The greatest being that it became really difficult to acquire readings
from the spring balance since the setup was vibrating as result of the operation of the
machine. As such, this explains the slight deviation of the results obtained in the
experiment that were later reflected in the graphs drawn to represent the work.
Other errors may have resulted from unseen leakages in the system and
observational and computational errors. The experiment was, however, carried out
with a great level of keenness to reduce the occurrence of such errors.

References

1. Rajput, R. K. (2005). Elements of mechanical engineering. New Delhi, India: Laxmi

Publications
2. Agar, D., & Rasi, M. (2008). On the use of a laboratory-scale Pelton wheel water turbine
in renewable energy education. Renewable Energy, 33(7), 1517-1522.

17

3. Zhang, Z. (2007). Flow interactions in Pelton turbines and the hydraulic efficiency of the
turbine system. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of
Power and Energy, 221(3), 343-355.
4. Arndt, R. E. (1991). Hydraulic turbines. Energy, 2, 2

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