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THERMOFLUID
ENGINEERING
Pelton Turbine Laboratory Report
Chaz Bode
Thomas Bussey
Warren Metz
Pierce Hardin
Jordan Cunnington
Methods of analysis include experimental raw data observations from the spear valve being open,
open, open and fully open. The spring balance is adjusted to apply the desired force and the
speed, flow rate and the forces on each spring balance were documented. Achieved objectives
within the report include the graphing and discussion of the power out vs speed, discharge vs speed
and the iso-efficiecny curves for four different spear valve openings. Further analysis of the standard
dimensionless parameters applicable to turbines was done through plotting (PN3) vs (Q/N) for full
spear valve opening data. The final analysis was comparing power and torque characteristics of the
Pelton turbine at four different valve openings.
Results of the data analysed show the power output of the turbine does change when the spear
valve positioning is changed between fully open, open, open and a open and all valve opening
positions show a parabolic relationship with maximum turbine power occurring at a range between
400-800rpm. Viewing the flow rate vs turbine speed relationship against iso-efficiecnies it shows the
most efficient operating point achieved an operational efficiency of 45%. This occurred whilst the
spear valve was open. This maximum efficiency was achieved at a speed of 783RPM and a flow
rate of 0.229L/s.
FIinal conclusions drawn form this experiment is that the trends found experimentally did not align
exactly with literature. This is due to the errors in the machinery or human error in taking raw data
as discussed in this report. Maximum power was obtained when the valve was half open. This did
not align with researched literature but was explained by the contact time with the bucket varying
with flowrate. This maximum power transmission occurred at the half open position and was
confirmed with it maintaining the maximum efficiency. The maximum power achieved with the valve
open is 5.99W of turbine power output at a speed 634.1rpm. Although the results did not fully
match the literature further understanding and knowledge of workings and the general relations
present in the operation of a Pelton turbine was produced from this experiment, achieving the major
objective of the lab.
i
CONTENTS
Executive Summary.................................................................................................................................. i
1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1
2.0 Objectives.......................................................................................................................................... 2
3.0 Theory ............................................................................................................................................... 3
3.1 Pelton Turbine background theory ............................................................................................... 3
3.2 relevant formulae ......................................................................................................................... 4
4.0 Apparatus .......................................................................................................................................... 5
5.0 Experimental Procedure ................................................................................................................... 6
6.0 Results ............................................................................................................................................... 7
7.0 Discussion........................................................................................................................................ 11
7.1 Errors Encountered ..................................................................................................................... 11
7.2 Pelton Turbine Experiment ......................................................................................................... 11
8.0 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 18
9.0 Work Breakdown ............................................................................................................................ 19
10.0 References .................................................................................................................................... 20
11.0 Appendix A: Raw Data...................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
12.0 Appendix C: Calculation Example.................................................................................................. 21
ii
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Energy may exist in various forms. Hydraulic energy is that which may be possessed by a fluid. It may
be in the form of kinetic, pressure, potential, strain or thermal energy. Fluid machinery is used to
convert hydraulic energy into mechanical energy or mechanical energy into hydraulic energy. This
distinction is based on the direction of energy transfer and forms the basis of grouping fluid
machinery into two different categories. One is power producing machines which convert hydraulic
energy into mechanical energy like turbines and motors, the other is power consuming machines
doing the reverse like pumps, fans and compressors. Another classification for fluid machinery can
also be done based on the motion of moving parts. These are rotodynamic machines and positive
displacement machines. A detailed chart is given below explaining the classifications.
The purpose of this laboratory experiment is to study the constructional details and performance
parameters of a model sized Pelton Turbine.
1
2.0 OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this lab are to analyse the working principles of a Pelton turbine and apply theory
learnt in the class room to a practical environment. This includes:
Determining the power output, (P) vs speed, (N); discharge, (Q) vs speed, (N) and the iso-
efficiency curves for 4 different spear valve openings.
Determining the validity of the standard dimensionless parameters applicable to turbines, by
plotting the relationship (PN3) vs (Q/N) for full spear valve opening data.
Determining the power (P) and torque (T) characteristics of the Pelton Turbine at four
different spear valve openings.
2
3.0 THEORY
The following sections outline the quantitative and qualitative information on the Pelton turbine
operating principles.
FIGURE 2: THEORETICAL TURBINE POWER VS. TURBINE SPEED WITH VARIOUS SPEAR VALVE OPENINGS
3
3.2 RELEVANT FORMULAE
FIGURE 4: TORQUE AND POWER VS SPEED FOR DIFFERENCE SPEAR VALVE OPENINGS
4
4.0 APPARATUS
The Tecquipment Pelton Turbine Test Rig
5
5.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
As per laboratory instructions
Test 1:
Prior to beginning the tests, ensure that all gauges are zero.
I. Turn on the pump, open delivery valve completely, and fix turbine spear to fully open.
III. For each increment of spear valve adjustment, change the load on the spring balance and record
data.
IV. Document the speed, flow rate, and the forces on each spring balance.
V. Repeat process for each spear valve setting, fully open, three-quarter-open, one-half open, and
one-quarter open.
6
6.0 RESULTS
TABLE 1: RAW & CALCULATED DATA WITH SPEAR VALVE FULLY OPEN
7
TABLE 2: RAW & CALCULATED DATA WITH SPEAR VALVE 3/4 OPEN
8
TABLE 3: RAW & CALCULATED DATA WITH SPEAR VALVE 1/2 OPEN
9
TABLE 4: RAW & CALCULATED DATA WITH SPEAR VALVE 1/4 OPEN
10
7.0 DISCUSSION
The following section outlines the discussion findings from the calculated results.
The next area that errors were encountered were in the position of the valve that controlled the flow of
water. The range of fully open to completely varied slightly at about 4 to 5 revolutions. To ensure that the
most accurate measurement was taken, the distance was used to calculate more precisely what restriction
would be applied to the flow. While this method was more precise it was not completely free of errors and
the actual distance may have had a degree of inaccuracy causing errors in the final calculations.
The last area where errors would have been encountered were in the scales used to determine the force being
applied. The springs in these scales appeared to be somewhat worn and could have given a false reading to
the actual forces being applied throughout the experiment. Any error in the reading would render each of our
calculated values incorrect. In order to reduce the total overall errors, we increased the force using small
constant increments at a constant rate to ensure more consistent results.
The test began by turning on the pump and adjusting the spear valve to the fully open position. Once this had
been achieved we began manipulating the force of the spring balance and consistently increasing the load
while simultaneously recording the speed change of the turbine. This was done approximately 10 times each
setting and all of the values were recorded. This process was completed four times, each time the spear valve
closed a quarter value.
At each test: fully open, three quarters open, one half open, and one quarter open, the flow rate was
monitored and measured three times for each experiment. The flow rates were then averaged and integrated
into the calculations for further research. The same recording and measuring processes were used
consistently for each test.
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7.3 SPEAR VALVE FULLY OPEN
The spear valve when positioned fully open gives the greatest velocity of the Pelton wheel according to
literate. This high velocity takes a high percentage of power to maintain and overcome the losses due to
friction, which yields a lower torque and therefore a lower newton meter/sec (power), thus the output of the
turbine is less than its maximum at the highest possible flow rate.
As can be seen from the lower flow rate from the valve at a position the maximum power developed is
higher than that fully open position. This is due to the buckets of the Pelton turbine having a higher degree of
time to draw the kinetic energy from the jet stream of water. This higher degree of time allow for the wheel to
produce more angular force on the shaft (torque), thus more newton meters/ second (power).
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7.5 SPEAR VALVE 1/2 OPEN
The maximum power of the turbine can be seen from that of the spear valve being positioned at of the fully
open position. As the buckets of the Pelton turbine have the optimum amount of time to draw the kinetic
energy from the jet stream of water. The maximum power and torque can be developed from the flow of
water.
The spear valve positioned at the open position shows that the efficiency of the turbine drops off after the
ideal flow rate is lowered. The valve positioned at does not provide enough force on the Pelton turbine for
the period of time the buckets are exposed to the jet stream. This means the transfer of power is significantly
lower than that of the ideal position of open, which provides the best balance of power absorbed from
the stream over time and thus efficiency.
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7.7 POWER VS. SPEED RELATIONSHIP - WARREN
FIGURE 7: TURBINE POWER VS. TURBINE SPEED WITH VARIOUS SPEAR VALVE OPENINGS
The plot shown in the figure above represents the Turbine Power Developed Vs. Speed. This graph shows that
power output of the turbine does change when the spear valve positioning is changed between fully open,
open, open and a open.
All valve opening positions show a parabolic relationship with maximum turbine power occurring at a range
between 400-800rpm. This representation shows maximum power is achieved when the spear valve is half
open. The maximum power achieved with the valve open is 5.99W of turbine power output at a speed
634.1rpm. From theory, it was expected that maximum power output occurs when the spear valve is fully
open. Wing (2012) also outlines this in his explanatory video Pelton Turbine/Wheel Working and Design and
discusses that an increase in water flow rate will increase the output power of the turbine. Comparing this
literature with our obtained results, there is seen to be an error present with the data obtained. Whilst the
correct parabolic relationship has been obtained, the data is inconsistent in following the flow rate vs power
relationship that was previously discussed.
The parabolic trends represented in the figure above is a true relationship as literature suggests that as speed
increases, the kinetic energy delivered to the fluid increases. Thus, higher power. The decrease in power is
present from the pump rating and the blade angles. The blades arent in contact long enough to transfer the
energy required and this results in the power decrease seen above.
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7.8 FLOW RATE VS. SPEED RELATIONSHIP AGAINST ISO-EFFICIENCIES - WARREN
The following figure represents flow rate vs speed with the iso-efficiencies superimposed.
Highest efficiencies for the fully open spear valve was 27% at 590RPM and a flow rate of 0.495L/s. The open
spear valve obtained its highest efficiency of 29% at 559.1RPM and a flow rate of 0.458L/s. The open spear
valve obtained an operational efficiency peak of 38% at 654.1RPM with a flow rate of 0.365L/s.
15
7.9 DIMENSIONLESS PARAMETER REPRESENTATION - WARREN
=
3
The relationship we see on the graph is given by the following. The Diameter of the nozzle is denoted by D in
the below formula. The nozzle diameter within the laboratory is obtained through the spearhead opening.
( 3) 1
2
()
Mathematically, this shows that the relationship between the different spearhead openings should be the
same. Theoretically, this proves true and is confirmed as when these relationships are taken linearly, the
various plots on the above figure should theoretically have approximately the same gradient. As can be seen,
errors attained in the raw data do not show this consistent linear gradient however; typically, the gradient
produced across the valve openings will be the same. Mathematically, the diametrical value of the nozzle
opening suggests that as the D value increases, the vertical shift in the dimensionless parameter decreases.
This is mostly proven in the figure above as the smallest diametrical value occurs when the spear valve is
open. The half open valve is represented on the graph as being displaced downwards from the open valve
which is expected as a greater D value will create a smaller CP and CQ. This relationship should follow through
with the open valve represented next in the series and finally the fully open valve last. An error within the
16
data set is present as the fully open valve and the valve opening do not follow the theoretical trend. It
would appear that the error is present within the valve opening data set as the gradient in which the
spear valve set displays is very inconsistent.
17
8.0 CONCLUSION
In conclusion this laboratory set out to show the working principles of the Pelton turbine and the relationships
and phenomena involved with the flowrate and power developed. During the analysis of this data it was found
that the trends found experimentally did not align exactly with literature, which were discussed above or put
down to errors in the machinery or human error in taking the raw data. When comparing the 4 positions of
the spear opening during testing it was found that maximum power was obtained when the valve was half
open. This did not align with researched literature but was explained by the contact time with the bucket
varying with flowrate. As the flowrate increases, more speed is transferred to the turbine, but with this
increase in speed of the turbine there is a reduction of contact time with the stream and thus less torque and
power is transmitted to the turbine. This maximum power transmission occurred at the half open position and
was confirmed with it maintaining the maximum efficiency.
The maximum power achieved with the valve open is 5.99W of turbine power output at a speed 634.1rpm
In summary the maximum values achieved were 45%, occurring at open, 783RPM and a flow rate of
0.229L/s. Highest efficiencies for the fully open spear valve was 27% at 590RPM and a flow rate of 0.495L/s.
The open spear valve obtained its highest efficiency of 29% at 559.1RPM and a flow rate of 0.458L/s. The
open spear valve obtained an operational efficiency peak of 38% at 654.1RPM with a flow rate of 0.365L/s.
Over all while the results did not fully match the literature we were able to grasp a solid understanding and
knowledge of the workings and the general relationships present in the operation of a Pelton turbine,
achieving the major objective of the lab.
18
9.0 WORK BREAKDOWN
TABLE 5: TEAM 1 MEMBER WORK BREAKDOWN
19
10.0 REFERENCES
Douglas, J.F, 2005, Fluid Mechanics: Classification of Fluid Machines Flow Chart, 5th Ed., Pearson.
Wing, A, 2012, Pelton Turbine/Wheel Working Design, viewed 2nd June 2016,
http://www.learnengineering.org/2013/08/pelton-turbine-wheel-hydraulic-turbine.ht
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11.0 APPENDIX A: CALCULATION EXAMPLE
For test 1
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