Design of Pelton

turbines
When to use a Pelton
turbine
 Energy conversion in a
Pelton turbine

Outlet Outlet of Inlet of Outlet of Inlet of

the runner the runner the needle the needle

c2
2
Main dimensions for the
Pelton runner
 The ideal Pelton runner
Absolute velocity from nozzle:
c1
c1 = 2 g H n c1 = =1
2 g Hn

Circumferential speed:

c1u 1
u1 = = 2 g Hn u 1 = 0 .5
2 2
Euler`s turbine equation:

h = 2(u1 c1u u 2 c 2 u )

c1u = 1 cu 2 = 0

h = 2 (u1 c1u u 2 c 2u ) = 2 (0,5 1.0 0,5 0) = 1

 The real Pelton runner
For a real Pelton runner there will always be loss
We will therefore set the hydraulic efficiency to:

h = 0.96

The absolute velocity from the nozzle will be:

0.99 c1u < 0.995

C1u can be set to 1,0 when dimensioning the turbine.
This gives us:

h = 2(u1 c1u u 2 c 2 u )

n 0,96
u1 = = = 0,48
2 c1u 2 1,0
From continuity equation:

d s2
Q = z c1u
4

4Q
ds =
z c1u

Where:
Z = number of nozzles
Q = flow rate
C1u = 2 g Hn
The size of the bucket
and number of nozzles
B
3.1 > 3.4
ds
Rules of thumb:
B = 3,1 ds 1 nozzle
B = 3,2 ds 2 nozzles
B = 3,3 ds 4-5 nozzles
B > 3,3 ds 6 nozzles
Number of buckets
z 17 empirical
Number of buckets
 Runner diameter
Rules of thumb:
D = 10 ds Hn < 500 m
D = 15 ds Hn = 1300 m

D < 9,5 ds must be avoided because water

will be lost
D > 15 ds is for very high head Pelton
 Speed number
= Qz
c1u = 1,0
d s2 d s2
Q= c1u = u1 = 0,5
4 4
2 u1 2 g Hn 1
= = = =
2 g Hn D 2 g Hn D 2 g Hn D

1 d s2 z
= Q z =
D 4

ds z
=
D 4
For the diameter: D = 10 ds
and one nozzle: z=1

ds z 1 1
= = = 0,09
D 4 10 4
The maximum speed number for a Pelton
turbine with one nozzle is = 0,09

For the diameter: D = 10 ds

and six nozzle: z=6

ds z 1 6
= = = 0,22
D 4 10 4
The maximum speed number for a Pelton
turbine today is = 0,22
 Dimensioning of a
Pelton turbine
1. The flow rate and head are given
*H = 1130 m
*Q = 28,5 m3/s
*P = 288 MW

2. Choose reduced values

c1u = 1 c1u = 149 m/s
u1 = 0,48 u1 = 71 m/s

3. Choose the number of nozzles

z=5

4. Calculate ds from continuity for one nozzle

4Q
ds = = 0,22 m
z c1u
5. Choose the bucket width
B = 3,3 ds= 0,73 m
6. Find the diameter by interpolation

D
= 0,005 H n + 8 = 13,65
ds

D = 13,65 d s = 3,0 m

D/ds
15

10

400 1400 Hn [m]

7. Calculate the speed:
D 2 n D
u1 = =
2 60 2

u1 60
n= = 452 rpm
D

8. Choose the number of poles on the generator:

The speed of the runner is given by the generator and

the net frequency:
3000
n= [rpm]
Zp

where Zp=number of poles on the generator

The number of poles will be:

3000
Zp = = 6,64 = 7
n
9. Recalculate the speed:

3000
n= = 428,6 [rpm]
Zp

10. Recalculate the diameter:

D 2 n D u 60
u1 = = D= 1 = 3,16 m
2 60 2 n

11. Choose the number of buckets

z = 22
12. Diameter of the turbine housing (for vertical turbines)
D Hou sin g = D + K B = 9,4 m
K
9

1 4 6 z

13. Calculate the height from the runner to the water level
at the outlet (for vertical turbines)
Height 3.5 B D = 3,1 m
Given values: Chosen values: Calculated values:
*Q = 28,5 m3/s c1u = 1 ds = 0,22 m
*H = 1130 m u1 = 0,48 n = 428,6 rpm
z=5 D = 3, 16 m
B = 0,73 m Height = 3,1 m
z = 22 Dhousing= 9,4 m
Zp = 7 *P = 288 MW
 *Q = 28,5 m3/s
*H = 1130 m
*P = 288 MW

GE Hydro
Jostedal, Sogn og Fjordane
 *Q = 28,5 m3/s
*H = 1130 m
*P = 288 MW

GE Hydro
Jostedal, Sogn og Fjordane
 Example
Khimti Power Plant
1. The flow rate and head are given
*H = 660 m
*Q = 2,15 m3/s
*P = 12 MW

2. Choose reduced values

c1u = 1 c1u = 114 m/s
u1 = 0,48 u1 = 54,6 m/s

3. Choose the number of nozzles

z=1
 Example
Khimti Power Plant
4. Calculate ds from continuity for
one nozzle

4Q
ds = = 0,15 m
z c1u

5. Choose the bucket width

B = 3,2 ds= 0, 5 m
6. Find the diameter by interpolation
D
= 0,005 H n + 8 = 11,3
ds

D = 11,3 d s = 1,7 m
D/ds
15

10

400 1400 Hn [m]

7. Calculate the speed:
D 2 n D
u1 = =
2 60 2

u 60
n= 1 = 613 rpm
D

8. Choose the number of poles on the

generator:
The speed of the runner is given by
the generator and the net frequency:
3000
n= [ rpm]
Zp

where Zp=number of poles on the

generator

The number of poles will be:

3000
Zp = = 4,9 = 5
n
9. Recalculate the speed:

3000
n= = 600 [rpm]
Zp

10. Recalculate the diameter:

D 2 n D u1 60
u1 = = D= = 1,74 m
2 60 2 n

11. Choose the number of buckets

z = 22