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II. T YPES OF T URBINE Fig.1 Schematic diagrams of typical hydraulic turbines [3]
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Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 3, March 2013)
After the range of head to be handled by a turbine has
been evaluated by stream flow analysis and the installed
capacity determined from the analysis of the power-
generating capacity of the proposed plant, the task of the (1)
designer is to choose an optimum turbine type and series, Where,
the number of power generating units, the runner diameter, ns = Specific speed of turbine in revolutions per minute
rotational speed, and runner axis elevation. Knowing the (r.p.m.)
total installation at the power station, the number of units
can be decided depends on the load requirement of that n = Rated speed of turbine in revolutions per minute
particular area. The capacity of the plant should be fixed as P = turbine output in kW, and
high as possible with adequate care on efficient running
and low initial costs, and available transport and shipping H = Rated head in meters
facilities and should not be so high so that turbine would Once the specific speed (ns) is determined, the chart
not run at low efficiency at the time of lean season. given in Figure 3 may be used to determine the type of
Basically there are two methods which help in selection of turbine that may be adopted for the particular project.
turbine are following:
1. Thumb Rule:
Different types of turbines can be selected to best suit
given head and flow conditions. Figure 2 shows the typical
application ranges of various turbines.
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V. LITERATURE ON SELECTION P ROCEDURE
It is a necessary task to select a turbine for a hydro
power site. The scales of hydropower schemes cover a
broad range and are generally classified by power output.
Larger schemes generally require damming to create
storage capacity and regulate water flow. Given the greater
amount of power generation, they are typically grid
connected to supply high levels of demand. In India,
depending on the capacities, hydropower projects are
categorized as Pico, Mini, micro, Small and large hydro
projects as under given in table 1.. Depending on the head,
SHPs may be further classified as low head (below 3
meters) medium head (from 30 – 75 meters) and high head
(above 75 meters).
TABLE I
CLASSIFICATION OF HYDRO PLANTS IN INDIA [26] Fig.6 Off-grid generation cost [7]
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Tesla turbines (Figure 8) are often touted as high
efficiency turbines that are easy to manufacture and
maintain, and also less vulnerable to debris [13]. The
design consists of several, closely-spaced rigid disks set in
parallel on a shaft. The co-rotating disks are centered and
locked to the shaft. Located near the centre of the disks are
orifices that allow for fluid exhaust in the axial direction.
The disk-shaft assembly is set on bearings and enclosed
within a cylindrical casing. Water flows through an inlet
into the casing and is directed approximately tangentially
onto the disks (Tesla, 1913). To date, however, prototype
Tesla turbines have not been able to achieve the claimed
Fig.9 Turgo turbine[2]
high efficiencies. Simulations by Ho-Yan (2011)[14]
employing Rice’s idealized model [15] have found that the Cross-flow (Banki-Michell) turbines (Fig. 10) are
Tesla turbine designs are better suited towards high head cylindrical in shape with two end plates connected by a
applications and yield very low power densities, or output circular array of blades. A rectangular nozzle directs the
power-to-turbine-volume ratios. Increased volume tends to flow to contact the entire length of the cylindrical runner.
increase cost and also greatly impact portability. The flow contacts the blade array at different locations on
entrance and on exit. Cross-flow turbines yield relatively
high part-flow efficiency which can be achieved by
channeling the flow over a portion of the runner.
Mockmore and Merryfield (1949)[16] translated Banki’s
design publication and constructed a turbine in accordance
to this design procedure for performance testing which
yielded 68% efficiency. Totapally and Aziz [17] reviewed
additional experimental performance tests and determined
optimal blade number in the vicinity of 35 blades, optimal
blade angles of attack between 22° and 24°, and increases
to efficiency when using nozzles narrower than the length
of the runner.
2. Medium head:
Turbines used for Pico hydro in the medium head range
include Turgo and cross-flow turbines and pump-as-turbine
(PAT).
Turgo turbines (Figure 9) are similar to Pelton turbines; Fig.10 Cross-flow turbine [2]
however nozzles are angled with respect to the runner
directing water flow to enter on one side and to exit the Pump-as-turbine (PAT) involves passing water through
other to avoid interference between flows. This translates to pumps in reverse, to turn the pump impellor, which turns
smaller runner diameters and higher rotational speeds when an attached generator to generate electricity. The main
compared to Pelton turbines. The higher speeds make it advantage of this alternative is increased accessibility due
more feasible to directly connect the turbine shaft to the to availability of mass produced pumps and widespread
generator and therefore eliminate the need for transmission distribution networks in some locations. Case studies of
systems in medium head environments [1]. applications in developing countries are presented by
Maher et al. (2003) [8] and Pascale et al. (2011) [18].
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Arriaga (2010) [19] provides a review of PAT Williams et al. (2000) [25] conducted a review of low
development while applying selection frameworks for a head hydroelectric equipment including novel designs and
concept PAT application in Laos. Williams (2004) [20] several conventional propeller designs. It was concluded
provides a practical guide to PAT selection. that propeller turbines match well to low head Pico hydro
applications mainly due to high rotational speeds allowing
3. Low head:
for direct driven connections to the generator. This results
Recent research has moved towards improving low head in compact designs with improved efficiency and lifespan,
Pico hydro designs, since low head sites are much more and reduced costs and maintenance.
common than high head sites. These section documents
prior efforts to design, build, and test low head Pico hydro VI. CONCLUSION
turbines.
Development Technology Unit (DTU) (2010) of the This paper reviews the optimal selection of hydro
University of Warwick developed a “simple to make” low turbines for hydroelectric projects. The turbine selection is
head propeller turbine, claimed to produce 200 W with 2.5 the first phase of the project which will look at developing
m head and 0.04 m3/s flow rate (20% overall efficiency). the network technology requirements. This paper can be a
The stator, shaft, and runner components are illustrated in guideline for the developers in selection of hydro turbine
Fig.10. The stator consists of welded mild steel flat plate for available operating conditions.
and circular tube. The shaft is an assembly of threaded rod, REFERENCES
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International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 3, March 2013)
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