IM09. Hydroelectric Power Plant

Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: ME21-1S-2021-2022
College: COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Campus: BAMBANG CAMPUS
DEGREE Bachelor of Science in COURSE NO. ME 21

PROGRAM Mechanical Engineering
SPECIALIZATION COURSE TITLE Power Plant Engineering
YEAR LEVEL 4th Year TIME FRAME 6 hrs WK NO. 8 IM NO. 09
I. UNIT TITLE/CHAPTER TITLE: Hydroelectric Power Plant
II. LESSON TITLE:
1. Introduction
2 Selection of Site for a Hydroelectric Power
3. Essential Features of a Water Power Plant
4. Water Turbines
5. Draft Tubes
6. Cavitation in Turbines
7. Classification of Hydro Plant
III. LESSON OVERVIEW: This module gives the students an understanding on how Hydroelectric Power
Plant works as well as the functions of the components. The students will also be worked on the
evaluation of the performance of the plant.
IV. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Identify the components, types, and classification of hydroelectric power plants.

2. Explain the function of some components of hydroelectric power plant.
4. Evaluate the performance of hydroelectric power plant.
V. LESSON CONTENT:
1. INTRODUCTION
When rainwater falls over the earth’s surface, it possesses potential energy relative to sea or ocean
towards which it flows. If at a certain point, the water falls through an appreciable vertical height, this
energy can be converted into shaft work. As the water falls through a certain height, its potential energy
is converted into kinetic energy and this kinetic energy is converted to the mechanical energy by allowing
the water to flow through the hydraulic turbine runner. This mechanical energy is utilized to run an electric
generator which is coupled to the turbine shaft. The power developed in this manner is given as:
The generation of electric energy from falling water is only a small process in the mighty heat power cycle
known as “Hydrological cycle” or rain evaporation cycle”. It is the process by which the moisture from the
surface of water bodies covering the earth’s surface is transferred to the land and back to the water
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bodies again. This cycle is shown in Fig. 11.1. The input to this cycle is the solar energy. Due to this,
evaporation of water takes, lace from the water bodies. On cooling, these water vapors form clouds.
Further cooling makes the clouds to fall down in the form of rain, snow, hail or sleet etc; known as
precipitation.
Fig. 11.1.
Hydro projects are developed for the following purposes:

1. To control the floods in the rivers.
2. Generation of power.
3. Storage of irrigation water.
4. Storage of the drinking water supply.
Waterpower plants have the following advantages which make these suitable for large interconnected
electric system:
1. The plant is highly reliable, and its maintenance and operation charges are very low.
2. The plant can be run up and synchronized in a few minutes.
3. The load can be varied quickly and the rapidly changing load de-mands can be met without any
difficulty.
4. The plant has no standby losses.
5. No fuel charges.
6. The efficiency of the plant does not change with age.
7. The cost of generation of electricity varies little with the passage of time.
However, the hydro-electric power plants have the following disadvantages also:
1. The capital cost of the plant is very high.
2. The hydro-electric plant takes much longer in design and execution.
3. These plants are usually located in hilly areas far away from the load center.
5. The output of a hydro-electric plant is never constant due to vagaries of monsoons and their
dependence on the rate of water flow in a river.
2. SELECTION OF SITE FOR A HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER PLANT
The following factors should be given careful consideration while selecting a site for a hydro-electric
power plant:
1. Water Available. To know the available energy from a given stream or river, the discharge flowing
and its variation with time over a number of years must be known. Preferably, the estimates of the
average quantity of water available should be prepared on the basis of actual measurements of stream
or river flow. The recorded observation should be taken over a number of years to know within
reasonable, limits the maximum and minimum variations from the average discharge. The river flow data
should be based on daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly flow ever a number of years.
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2. Water-Storage. The output of a hydropower plant is not uniform due to wide variations of rain fall. To
have a uniform power output, a water storage is needed so that excess flow at certain times may be
stored to make it available at the times of low flow. To select the site of the dam; careful study should be
made of the geology and topography of the catchment area to see if the natural foundations could be
found and put to the best use.
3. Head of Water. The level of water in the reservoir for a proposed plant should always be within limits
throughout the year.
4. Distance from Load Center. Most of the time the electric power generated in a hydro-electric power
plant has to be used some considerable distance from the site of plant. For this reason, to be economical
on transmission of electric power, the routes and the distances should be carefully considered since the
cost of erection of transmission lines and their maintenance will depend upon the route selected.
5. Access to Site. It is always a desirable factor to have a good access to the site of the plant. This factor
is very important if the electric power generated is to be utilized at or near the plant site. The transport
facilities must also be given due consideration.
3. ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF A WATER-POWER PLANT
A simplified flow sheet of a waterpower plant is shown in Fig. 11.2: The essential features of a waterpower
plant are as below:
Fig. 11.2
3.1. Water Reservoir. It is the basic requirement of a hydroelectric power plant. Water reservoir is used
to store water which may be utilized to run the turbines to produce electric power. Reservoir may be
natural such as lake or artificial reservoir can be built by erecting a dam across the river. Water held in
upstream reservoir is called storage whereas water behind the dam at the plant is called pondage.
3.2. Dam. A dam is structure of masonry or some other material built at a suitable location across a river.
The primary function of the dam is to provide a head of water. It also creates pondage or storage.
Economy and safety are the basic requirement of a dam.
3.3. Forebay. It acts as a sort of regulating reservoir temporarily. Water is temporarily y stored in the
forebay in the event of rejection of load by the turbine and there is withdrawal of water from it when load
is increased. In diversion canal plants water of the river is diverted away from the main channel through
a diversion canal. The end of canal is enlarged in the form of forebay as shown in Fig. 11.3. The forebay
is provided with some type of outlet structure to direct water to pen stock.
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3.4. Trash rack. It is provided for preventing the debris from getting entry into the intakes from dam or
from the forebay.
Fig. 11.3.
3.5. Waterway. A waterway is used to carry water from the dam to the powerhouse. It includes canal,
penstock (closed pipe) or tunnel.
3.6. The Tail Race. Tailrace is a waterway to lead the water discharged from the turbine to the river. The
water after doing work on turbine runner passes through the draft tube to tail race. The water held in the
tail race is called as tail-race water level.
Fig. 11.4. Types of surge tanks.
3.7. Surge Tanks. Surge tank is a storage reservoir fitted to the penstock at a point near to the turbine.
The functions of the storage tank can be summarized as follows:
When the load on turbine decreases, the gates of the turbine are closed partly by the governor to adjust
the rate of flow of water in order to maintain the constant speed of the runner. When the gates are closed
the water is moving to the turbine has to move backward. This backward moving water is stored in the
surge tank. Similarly, when the load on turbine increases, the turbine gates are opened by the governor
and increased demand of water is partly met by the water stored in the surge tank. Thus, the surge tank
controls the water when the load on the turbine decreases and supplies water when the load on the
turbine increases. In this way surge tank controls the pressure variations resulting from the rapid changes
in water flow in penstock and thereby prevents water hammer effects. The various types of surge tanks
are shown in Fig. 11.4.
4. WATER TURBINES
Turbine is a prime mover wherein a gradual change in momentum of fluid is utilized to set a mobile unit
into motion. In other words, turbine is a machine wherein rotary motion is obtained by centrifugal forces
resulting in change in the direction of high velocity fluid jet issuing from the nozzle.
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A machine that converts hydraulic energy into mechanical energy or vice versa is known as a hydraulic
machine. The former is known as turbine, whereas the latter is known as pump. Hydraulic turbine is a
device that uses the potential and kinetic energy of water and converts it into mechanical energy. This
energy is utilized to run an electric generator coupled with the turbine shaft for the generation of power.
Hydraulic turbines are basically selected depending on the head available at the inlet.
4.1. Classification and Types of Water Turbines
4.1.1. Classification based on action of water on blades

Based on the action of water striking the blades or the energy available at the turbine inlet, hydraulic
turbines are classified as impulse or reaction turbines.
(a) Impulse turbine. If the energy of the fluid entering the rotor is in the form of kinetic energy of jets, the
turbine is known as impulse turbine. In an impulse turbine, the available hydraulic energy is converted
into kinetic energy by means of nozzles. The high-velocity jet strikes a series of vanes fixed around the
rim of the wheel as shown in Figure 11.5. In an impulse turbine, the pressure of the fluid as it flows over
the rotating wheel is constant and is atmospheric. The potential energy of water is completely converted
into kinetic energy that is absorbed by transformation into mechanical work by pure impulse action.
Fig. 11.5. Impulse Turbine Working Principle.
(b) Reaction turbine. If the energy of the fluid entering the rotor is in the form of kinetic energy of jets
and pressure energy, the turbine is known as reaction turbine. In a reaction turbine, a portion of hydraulic
energy available is transformed into kinetic energy before water enters the turbine runner. However, a
substantial portion remains in the form of pressure energy. Thus, both velocity and pressure change
simultaneously as water glides over the vanes. Figure 11.6 shows the working principle of a reaction
turbine.
In reaction turbine, the casing is filled with water and hence the pressure of the fluid changes as water
flows over the vanes.
Fig. 11.5. Working principle of reaction turbine.
4.1.2. Classification based on direction of fluid flow through the runner
Based on the direction of fluid flow through the runner, turbines are classified as tangential flow turbine,
radial flow turbine, axial flow turbine and mixed flow turbine.
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(a) Tangential flow turbine. If water strikes the runner along the tangential direction, it is known as a
tangential flow turbine (Figure 11.6a). This type of turbine is also known as peripheral flow turbine, e.g.
Pelton turbine.
(b) Radial flow turbine. If water strikes the runner along the radial directional, then the turbine is known
as a radial flow turbine. Radial flow turbines (Figure 11.6b) can be further divided into inward radial flow
and outward radial flow turbines.
(a) (b)
Fig. 11.6. (a) Impulse turbine and (b) Radial Flow turbine.
If water flow from the periphery towards the center of the wheel radially, it is known as an inward radial
flow turbine; and if water flows from the center of the wheel towards outside, it is an outward flow turbine,
e.g. Francis turbine.
(a) (b)
Fig. 11.7. (a) Kaplan turbine and (b) Deriaz turbine.
(c) Axial flow turbine. If water flows through the runner parallel to the axis of rotation of the runner, then
the turbine is known as axial flow turbine, e.g. Kaplan turbine (Fig. 11.7a).
(d) Mixed flow turbine. If water enters radially and does work on the runner and leaves axially, then the
turbine is known as mixed flow turbine, e.g. Deriaz turbine. (Figure 11.7b).
4.1.3. Classification based on specific speed
Generally, all the turbo machines used in practice are classified based on the specific speeds. The
specific speed of a turbine is the speed of a geometrically similar turbine that would develop unit power
working under unit head at maximum efficiency.
(a) Low specific speed turbine. Such turbines have usually small discharges and use either single or
multiple jets. The specific speed may be about 70.
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E.g. Pelton Wheel
(b) Medium specific speed turbine. Such turbines work under medium head and have specific speeds
comparatively higher than the low specific speed turbines. The specific speed ranges between 70 and
400.
E.g. Francis Turbine
(c) High specific speed turbine. Such turbines have usually large discharges and work under low head.
They have high specific speeds ranging from 500 to 1,000.
E.g. Kaplan turbine, Deriaz turbine
Classification based on head available
Based on the head of water available, hydraulic turbines are classified as low head, medium head and
high head turbines.
(a) Low head turbines. These turbines work under low heads ranging between 3 and 50 m of water.
They are designed for higher discharge rates
E.g. Kaplan Turbine
(b) Medium head turbines. These turbines work under medium heads ranging between 55 and 400 m.
They are designed for medium discharge rates
E.g. Francis Turbine\
(c) High head turbines

These turbines are designed only for low discharges and work under high heads ranging above 300–
400m
E.g. Pelton turbine
4.2. Pelton Turbines

Pelton turbine is a high-head impulse turbine. In this turbine, water carried from the penstock which enters
the nozzles, impugning out in the form of a fluid jet. The potential energy of water is converted into kinetic
energy which is used to run the turbine runner (Figure 11.8). The major components of Pelton wheel are
as follows: (a) guide mechanism, (b) runner and buckets, (c) casing and (d) breaking jet or nozzle.
4.3. Francis turbine

Francis turbine is an inward flow reaction turbine designed and developed by an American Engineer
James B. Francis. In this turbine, water flows from outside of wheel periphery towards the center, resulting
in radial discharge at the outlet. Earlier Francis turbines were purely radial flow type, but modern Francis
turbines are mixed flow type in which water enters the runner radially and leaves axially at the center.
The latter type of turbine provides a large discharge area with the prescribed diameter of the runner.
Fig. 11.8. Components of a Pelton Wheel.

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Different components of a Francis turbine are as discussed below (Figure 11.9).
Fig. 11.9. Components of a Francis Turbine.
(a) Scroll casing. Scroll casing is also known as spiral casing. Casing directs water coming from the
penstock towards the runner without the formation of eddies. Due to this action, loss due to formation of
eddies reduce, and hence efficiency increases. The cross-sectional area of the casing reduces gradually
from inlet to outlet ensuring uniform distribution of water around the guide vanes.
(b) Runner. The guide vanes impart a tangential velocity and hence angular momentum to water, before
entering into the runner. The flow through the runner is a combination of radial and tangential flows and
takes place from the periphery towards the center.
(d) Guide mechanism. The mechanism consists of guide vanes that are fixed between two concentric
rings in the form of a guide wheel. The aerofoil cross section of guide vanes enable smooth entry of water
without forming eddies ensuring minimum friction losses. The vanes can be made adjustable so that flow
through them can be regulated as per the needs. This is shown in Fig. 11.10.
Fig. 11.10. Guide mechanism.
(e) Draft tube. As the pressure at the outlet of the turbine is lesser than atmospheric, a conduit of
increasing cross section is used to discharge water to the tail race. This tube is known as draft tube that
is immersed minimum 1 m below the lowest tail race level.
4.4. Kaplan turbine

If water enters the runner parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor, then the turbine is known as an axial
flow turbine. The axial flow turbines can be further divided into two types.
4.4.1. Propeller turbine. If the runner of the turbine is propeller shaped, it is known as a propeller turbine.
The runner blades are fixed in the propeller turbine, and hence are not adjustable.
4.4.2. Kaplan turbine. If the runner is propeller shaped and pitch of the propeller blades are adjustable,
then constant speed can be maintained under variable load conditions. This type of turbine having
adjustable propeller blades is known as Kaplan turbine. Figure 11.11 shows a schematic diagram of
Kaplan turbine.
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Fig. 11.11. Kaplan Turbine.
5. DRAFT TUBES
Water, after passing through the runner is discharged through a gradually expanding tube called draft
tube. The free end of the draft tube is submerged deep into the water. Thus, the entire water passage
from the head race to tail race is completely closed, and hence does not come in contact with the
atmospheric air. The draft tube is a conduit connecting runner exit to the tail race where water after doing
work gets discharged. It is a welded steel plate pipe or a concrete tunnel with gradually increasing cross
sectional area at the outlet.
Functions of a draft tube

(i) It reduces the velocity of discharged water and hence minimizes the loss of kinetic energy at the outlet.
(ii) It permits a negative (suction) head at the turbine outlet and thus enables turbine installation above
the tail race without any loss of head. If water is discharged freely from the runner, the working head is
equal to gross head. If an air-tight draft tube is connected to the runner outlet, the working head is
increased by an amount equal to the height of the runner outlet above the tail race.
(iii) The turbine can be installed at tail race level, above the tail race level, or below the tail race level.
(iv) Possibility of cavitation can be avoided if the turbine is installed below the tail race level due to the
absence of negative head.
(v) As the net working head on the turbine increases, turbine output also increases resulting in increased
efficiency.
6. CAVITATION IN TURBINES
According to the Bernoulli’s theorem, if the velocity of flow increases, pressure should decrease. In case
of liquids, this decreased pressure cannot be lesser than the vapor pressure at that place. Whenever the
liquid pressure in a turbine falls below the evaporation pressure, the liquid starts boiling and results in the
formation of bubbles of vapor. These bubbles are carried by the stream to a higher pressure zone where
the vapors condense and bubbles suddenly collapse. This results in the formation of a void and stream
of liquid rushes to the center of the cavity from all around. This gives rise to localized pressure rise of
about 7,000 atmospheres. The same cycle repeats so many times in a fraction that it causes pitting on
the metallic surface of runner blades or draft tube.
This phenomenon of formation of vapor bubbles and sudden collapsing of it at the high-pressure zone
resulting in pitting of turbine blades is known as cavitation.
(a) Factors influencing cavitation

1. Absolute or barometric pressure above the mean sea level at the turbine location
2. Vapour pressure that depends on the temperature of flowing water
3. The height of runner outlet above the tail race or suction head
4. Dynamic suction head and absolute velocity of water at runner exit
(b) Methods to avoid cavitation

1. Turbine should not be installed below the tail race level.
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2. The pressure of the fluid should not be allowed to fall below its vapor pressure.
3. Providing a cavitation free runner.
4. Materials such as CI, CS, SS, bronze, aluminium, zinc alloys, chrome nickel and stainless
steels can be used.
(c) Effects of cavitation

1. Damaging of metallic surfaces and formation of cavities on turbine blades.
2. Noise and vibration due to sudden collapsing of bubbles and vapors.
3. Failure of material by fatigue and corrosion.
4. Decrease in turbine efficiency due to reduced resultant torque produced by the flow of water.
7. CLASSIFICATION OF HYDRO-PLANT
The hydro-power plants can be classified as below:

1. Storage plant
(a) High head plants
(b) Low head plants
(c) Medium head plants.
2. Run-of-river power plants
(a) With pondage
(b) Without pondage.
3. Pumped storage power Plants.
7.1. Storage Plants
These plants are usually base load plants. The hydro-plants cannot be classified directly on the basis of
head alone as there is no clear line of demarcation between a high head and a medium head or between
medium head and low head. The power plant can be classified on the basis of head roughly in the
following manner:
(a) High head plants. About 100 m and above.

(b) Medium head plants. about 30 to 500 m.
(c) Low head plants. Up to about 50 m.
7.1.1. High Head Plants. Fig. 11.12 shows the elevation of a high head plant. The water is taken from
the reservoir through tunnels which distribute the water to penstock through which the water is conveyed
to the turbines. Alternately, the water from the reservoir can be taken to a smaller storage known as a
forebay, by mans of tunnels. From the forebay, the water is then distributed to the penstocks. The function
of the forebay is to distribute the water to penstocks leading to turbines.
Fig. 11.12. High head plants.
7.1.2. Low Head Power Plants. These power plants are also known as Canal power plants. Such a plant
is shown in Fig. 11.13.
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A dam is built on the river and the water is diverted into a canal which conveys the water into a forebay
from where the water is allowed to flow through turbines. After this, the water is again discharged into the
river through a tail race. If there is any excess water due to increased flow in the river or due to decrease
of load on the plant, it will flow over the top of the dam or a waste weir can be constructed along the
forebay so that the excess water flows over it into the river.
Fig. 11.13. Low head plant.
7.1.3. Medium Head Plants. If the head of water available is more than 50 m., then the water from the
forebay is conveyed to the turbines through penstocks. Such a plant will then be named as a medium
head plant. In these plants, the river water is usually tapped off to a forebay on one bank of the river as
in the case of a low head plant. From the forebay, the water is then led to the turbines through penstocks.
Such a layout is shown in Fig. 11.14.
Fig. 11.14. Medium head plant.
7.2. Run-Of-River Power Plants
These plants can be classified as either without pondage or with pondage. A run-of-river plant without
pondage has no control over river flow and uses the water as it comes. These plants usually supply peak
load. During floods, the tail water level may become excessive rendering the plant inoperative. A run-of-
river plant with pondage may supply base load or peak load power. At times of high water flow it may be
base loaded and during dry seasons it may be peak loaded.
7.3. Pumped Storage Power Plants
These plants supply the peak load for the base load power plants and pump all or a portion of their own
water supply. The usual construction would be a tail water pond and a head water pond connected
through a penstock. The generating pumping plant is at the lower end. During off peak hours, some of
the surplus electric energy being generated by the base load plant, is utilized to pump the water from tail
water pond into the head water pond and this energy will be stored there. During times of peak load, this
energy will be released by allowing the water to flow from the head water pond through the water turbine
of the pumped storage plant. These plants can be used with hydro, steam and i.e. engine plants. This
plant is nothing but a hydraulic accumulator system and is shown in Fig. 11.15. The latest design is to
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use a Francis turbine which is just the reverse of centrifugal pump. When the water flows through it from
the head water pond it will act as a turbine and rotate the generator. When rotated in the reverse direction
by means of an electric motor, it will act as a pump to shunt the water from the tail water pond to the head
water pond.
Fig. 11.15. Pumped storage power plant.
8. EXAMPLE PROBLEMS
1. A hydro-electric power plant has an effective head of 300 m at a volumetric flow rate of 5 m3/s. It has
a generator efficiency of 96% and overall hydraulic efficiency of 80%. Determine the power output of the
plant in kW?
Solution:
( ) (
Power = 9.8066 kN m3 (300 m) 5 m3 s (0.96)(0.80) )
Power = 11,297 kW Ans.
2. A hydraulic turbine rated at 37.2 MW has an eff. of 80%. It is directly coupled to a generator of 96 poles
and 60 Hz frequency. If its specific speed is 70 rpm what is the required flow in m 3/s at rated capacity?
Solution:
120  Frequenxy
n, rpm =
Poles
Assume English units are in hp, ft and rpm
n bhp
Ns =
(he ) 4
5
(120)(60)
n= = 75 rpm
96
37,200
bhp = = 49,866 hp
0.746
N s = 70
75 49,866
70 =
(he ) 4
5
he = 80 ft
he = 24.38 m
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P = pQ = HQ
(
37,200 kW = (0.8) 9.81 kN m3 (24.38 m)(Q) )
Q = 194.4 m s 3
Ans.
3. A Pelton wheel in a hydro-electric plant has a shaft power of 13 MW at 300 rpm under a head of 510
m with 30 m3/s flow. What is the specific speed?
Solution:
Specific Speed
n bhp
Ns =
(he ) 4
5
 1 hp 
bhp = (13,000 kW )  = 17 ,427 hp
 0.746 kW 
he = 510 m = 1674 ft
n = 300 rpm
300 17,427
Ns = 5
= 3.7 Ans.
(1674) 4
4. On a site of Hydro-Electric Power Plant, the flow available is 200 m 3/sec and a head of 75. Hydraulic
turbine to be used has an efficiency of 90%. If the turbine speed is 380 rpm and specific speed should
not exceed 90 rpm, calculate the number of turbines required if the plant is going to be used as peak load
plant.
Solution:
Total Power = ( w g )Qh

( )(
Total Power = 9.81 kN m3 200 m3 s (75 m)(0.90) )
1 hp
Total Power = 132,535 kW 
0.746 kW
Total Power = 177,526.8097 kW
Solving HP per turbine

bhp
n
Ns = turbine
(h e )4
5
he = (75 m)(3.2 ft m) = 246 ft
bhp
380
90 = turbine
(246 )4
5
bhp
= 53,242.151
turbine
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177,526.8097
No. of turbines= = 3.334
53,242.151
Use 4 turbines
5. The penstock of hydro-electric power plant is 600 mm x 600 mm having a velocity of 6.5 mps and a
head of 40 meters. What is the turbine output having an efficiency of 85%. Assume a headloss of 4% of
the available head.
Solution:
Turbine output power = 9.810Qhet

he = hg − hL = hg − 0.04hg = hg (1 − 0.04) = 40(1 − 0.04) = 38.4 m
Q = AV
Q = (0.6)(0.6)(6.5) = 2.34 m3 s
Turbine output power = 9.810(2.34 )(38.4 )(0.85) = 749.264 kW Ans.
6. A hydro-electric power plant is being supplied from a reservoir of 2,500,000 m 2 with an available head
of 200 m. Assuming a hydraulic efficiency of 75% and electrical efficiency of 87%. Determine the fall in
the storage reservoir level after a load of 20 MW was supplied for 2 hours. Storage reservoir area is 2.5
km2.
Solution:
EP =  h eQH
(
20,000 kW = (0.75)(0.87)(Q) 9.81 kN m3 (200 m) )
Q = 15.62 m s3
Volume in 2 hrs
 3600 s 
( )
V = 15.62 m3 s (2 hr )
hr
 = 112,464 m3
 1 
For height
(
V = 112,464 m3 = 2,500,000 m2 (h) )
h = 0.045 m = 4.5 cm Ans.
7. A hydro-electric plant having 50 sq. km. reservoir area and 100 m head is used to generate power.
The energy utilized by the consumers whose load is connected to the power plant during a five-hour
period is 13.5 x 10 to the 6th power kw-hr. The overall generation efficiency is 75%. Find the fall in the
height of water in the reservoir after 5-hour period. (ME Board April 1997).
Solution:
Energy output = QHt (Time)

( )
13.5 106 kWhr = (Q) 9.81 kN m3 (100 m)(0.75)(5 hr )
Q = 3669.725 m3 s
Volume in 5 hrs
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IM No.: ME21-1S-2021-2022
 3600 s 
(
V = 3669.725 m3 s (5 hr )) hr
 = 66,055,050 m3
 1 
For height
(
V = 66,055,050 m3 = 50 106 m2 (h) )
h = 1.32 m Ans.
8. 45 kw of the shaft power is developed by a turbine working under an available head of 40 meters. The
energy transferred from the water to the runner is 350 J. Assuming a mechanical efficiency of 95%, what
is the discharge through the turbine in cu. m/s? (ME Board April 1996).
Solution:
Since the given power of 45 kw is a shaft power, a hydraulic efficiency of, say 90% will be assumed
shaft power =  m hQH
45 = (0.95)(0.90)(Q)(9.81)(40)
Q = 0.134 m3 s Ans.
9. A vertical draft tube is installed on a Francis turbine and the total head to the center of the spiral casing
at the inlet is 38 meters and velocity of water at the inlet is 5 m/s. The discharge is 2.1 cu. m/s. The
hydraulic efficiency is 0.87 and overall efficiency is 0.84. The velocities at the inlet and exit of the draft
tube are 5 m/s and 1.5 m/s, respectively. The top of the draft is 1 m below the center line of the spiral
casing while the tailrace (water) level is 3 meters from the top of the draft tube. There is no velocity of
whirl at either top or bottom of the draft tube and leakage losses are negligible. What is the power output
of the turbine in kW? (ME Board April 1996).
Solution:
p V12 − V22
h= +Z+
 2g
(5)2 − (1.5)2
h = 38 + (1 + 3) + = 43.16 m
2(9.81)
Power output = Qht
Power output = (2.1)(9.81)(43.16)(0.84) = 746.9 kW Ans.
10. A Pelton wheel is to be designed to run at 300 rpm under an effective head of 150 m. The ratio of the
nozzle diameter to the diameter of the pitch circle is 1/12. Assuming efficiency of 84%, what is the size
of the wheel in meters? Assume speed ratio of 0.45. (ME Board October 1995).
Solution:
DN
=
2gH
D
300 

0.45 =  60 
2(9.81)(150)
D = 1.55 m Ans.
NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220)
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IM No.: ME21-1S-2021-2022
11. A hydroelectric generation station is supplied from a reservoir of capacity 6,000,000 m3 at the head
of 170 m. Assume hydraulic efficiency of 80% and electrical efficiency of 90%. The fall in the reservoir
level after a load of 15 MW has been supplied for 3 hours, if the area of the reservoir is 2.5 sq. km. is
closest to:
Solution:
Power output = QHt e
15,000 = (Q )(9.81)(170 )(0.80)(0.90)
Q = 12.492 m3 s
Volume in 3 hrs
 3600 s 
( )
V = 12.492 m3 s (3 hr )
hr
 = 134,914 m3
 1 
For height
(
V = 134,914 m3 = 2.5 106 m2 (h) )
h = 5.39 m Ans.
VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Instructions: Answer the following questions briefly and systematically.
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric power plant?

2. What are the factors to consider in putting up a hydroelectric power plant?
3. What are components of a hydroelectric power plant? Give a brief discussion.
4. What is a Run-off-the river and Pumped storage power plant?
VII. EVALUATION (Note: Not to be included in the student’s copy of the IM)
VIII. ASSIGNMENT
Problem solving
1. For a hydro power plant the following data is available.
Head = 180 in
Discharge = 2.5 m2/sec.
Efficiency of turbine = 85%
Generator frequency = 50 cycles/sec.
Determine the following:
(a) Output (b) Type of turbine (c) Speed of turbine.
2. Run-off rate of 400 m3/sec and head of 45 m is available at a site proposed for hydroelectric power
plant. Assuming the turbine efficiency of 90% and speed of 2000 rpm, find out the least number of
machines, all of equal size required of Francis turbine not greater than 750 specific speed is used.
3. The catchment area for the reservoir of a hydro-electric power plant is 14 x 108 sq m having an average
rainfall per annum of 125 cm 70% of the rainfall is available for power generation and the mean operating
head is 30 meters. Calculate the maximum plant capacity h.p. to be installed. Assume that 5% of the
head is lost is penstock, the turbine efficiency is 85%, the generator efficiency is 90% and the annual
load factor is 50%.
4. Hydroelectric power plant has the following data:
Type of turbine - - - - - - - - - - - - - Francis
Gross head - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 75 m
Rate of flow - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5 m3/sec
Penstock length - - - - - - - - - - - - 65 m
NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220)
Page 16 of 17
IM No.: ME21-1S-2021-2022
Penstock diameter - - - - - - - - - - 850 mm

Assume that the turbine efficiency is 85% and generator efficiency is 90%. Assume f = 0.025. Find the
brake power developed in MW.
5. An impulse turbine which has a diameter, D = 5 ft, speed N = 7 rev/sec, bucket angle, 𝛽 = 150o,
coefficient of velocity, Cv = 0.9760, relative speed, ∅ = 0.470, a generator efficiency, em = 0.90, and a jet
diameter from nozzle of 0.625 feet. Compute the power input in HP.
IX. REFERENCES
Onkar Singh (2009). Applied Thermodynamics (3rd Edition). New Delhi: New Age International Publishers
A.K. Raja, et.al. (2006). Power Plant Engineering. New Delhi: New Age International Publishers
Nagpal, G.R. (2006). Power Plant Engineering (15 th Edition). Nath Market, Nai Sarak Delhi: Khanna
Publisher
Disclaimer: This document does not claim any originality and cannot be used as a substitute for prescribed
textbooks. This information presented here is merely a collection by the faculty member for his respective
teaching assignments. Various sources as mentioned at the end of the document as well as freely available
material from the internet were consulted for preparing this document. The ownership of the information lies
with the respective authors or institutions. Further, this document is not intended to be used for commercial
purpose and the faculty member is not accountable for any issues, legal or otherwise, arising out of use of
this document. The faculty member makes no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or
completeness of the contents of this document and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220)
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IM09. Hydroelectric Power Plant

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IM09. Hydroelectric Power Plant

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Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

College: COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

DEGREE Bachelor of Science in COURSE NO. ME 21

I. UNIT TITLE/CHAPTER TITLE: Hydroelectric Power Plant

II. LESSON TITLE:

IV. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Identify the components, types, and classification of hydroelectric power plants.

Hydro projects are developed for the following purposes:

2. SELECTION OF SITE FOR A HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER PLANT

3. ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF A WATER-POWER PLANT

Fig. 11.4. Types of surge tanks.

4.1. Classification and Types of Water Turbines

4.1.1. Classification based on action of water on blades

Fig. 11.5. Impulse Turbine Working Principle.

Fig. 11.5. Working principle of reaction turbine.

4.1.2. Classification based on direction of fluid flow through the runner

Fig. 11.7. (a) Kaplan turbine and (b) Deriaz turbine.

4.1.3. Classification based on specific speed

E.g. Pelton Wheel

Classification based on head available

(c) High head turbines

4.2. Pelton Turbines

4.3. Francis turbine

Fig. 11.8. Components of a Pelton Wheel.

Different components of a Francis turbine are as discussed below (Figure 11.9).

Fig. 11.9. Components of a Francis Turbine.

Fig. 11.10. Guide mechanism.

4.4. Kaplan turbine

Fig. 11.11. Kaplan Turbine.

Functions of a draft tube

(a) Factors influencing cavitation

(b) Methods to avoid cavitation

(c) Effects of cavitation

The hydro-power plants can be classified as below:

7.1. Storage Plants

(a) High head plants. About 100 m and above.

Fig. 11.12. High head plants.

Fig. 11.13. Low head plant.

Fig. 11.14. Medium head plant.

7.2. Run-Of-River Power Plants

7.3. Pumped Storage Power Plants

Fig. 11.15. Pumped storage power plant.

Total Power = ( w g )Qh

Total Power = 177,526.8097 kW

Solving HP per turbine

he = (75 m)(3.2 ft m) = 246 ft

Turbine output power = 9.810Qhet

Turbine output power = 9.810(2.34 )(38.4 )(0.85) = 749.264 kW Ans.

Energy output = QHt (Time)

VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Instructions: Answer the following questions briefly and systematically.

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric power plant?

Penstock diameter - - - - - - - - - - 850 mm

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