ST.

JOSEPH’S COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

HYDRAULICS MACHINES LABORATORY MANUAL Page 1

Expt No:
Date:
LOAD TEST ON PELTON WHEEL
AIM
To find the operating characteristic curves of Pelton Wheel at constant speed
and constant head and plot the following graphs
1. Efficiency Vs Output
2. Discharge Vs Output
3. Input Vs Output

APPARATUS
Pelton wheel fitted with loading arrangements, a pumping unit to supply water
at the required head, discharge measuring arrangements, tachometer, and gauges

PRINCIPLE
The turbine is run at constant speed and head specified by manufacturer and
efficiency of the turbine is determined by measuring the output torque of the machine
from zero to the rated maximum. The power output can be determined by measuring
the torque output of the turbine using rope brake arrangement.
Calculate the maximum value of (W-S) correspond to rated power. This can
be divided in to 6 equal parts approximately, and the machine can be loaded each time
with the corresponding load.
Maximum load calculation
Rated power in KW = 2πN(W-S)R
60 x 1000
N - Speed in rpm
W - Load on the pan in N
S - Spring balance reading in N
R - Effective Brake drum radius in Meter

PROCEDURE
1. Keep the nozzle at about 3/8th open position
2. Prime the pump if necessary
3. Keep the turbine in unloaded position. (No load on spring)
4. Close the delivery gate valve completely and start the pump
5. Open the delivery gate valve until the venturimeter pressure gauges indicate a
differential pressure of about 0.6Kg/sq.cm-this correspond to design flow rate
6. Note the turbine inlet pressure and keep at a constant head of 4.6Kg/sq.cm of water
in the pressure gauge fixed in the nozzle bend.
7. Keep the speed constant at the rated value
8. Note the venturimeter pressure gauge readings.
9. Load the turbine by adding weights to the hanger.
10. Repeat the experiment for different loads, keeping the speed constant by adjusting
the delivery gate valve.
11. Release the load simultaneously closing the delivery valve and then switch off the
Pump.

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

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HYDRAULICS MACHINES LABORATORY MANUAL Page 2

TABULATION AND OBSERVATIONS

Brake drum diameter, d1 = 0.40m
Rope diameter, r2 = 0.015m
Equivalent drum radius = r1 + r2 =
Hanger weight, T0 = 1 Kg
Spring balance error = S Kg =
Speed of the turbine = rpm
Cd = 0.98

Inlet Total Venturimeter Pressure Q* Wt. on Wt on Net Wt Turbine Input Efficiency

Sl Pressure head readings Gauge -3 hanger spring T Output KW %
10
No P H in reading T1 T2 KW
Kg/cm2 m of P1 P2 h Kg Kg Newton
water m3/s
Kg/cm2 Kg/cm2 m of
water
P x 10 m

x 10 m of

+T0 -+S) x
.0055 x h0.5
h=(P1-P2)

T=(T1-T2
of water

9.81 N
water

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

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HYDRAULICS MACHINES LABORATORY MANUAL Page 3

CALCULATIONS
1. TO DETERMINE DISCHARGE
Pressure difference, h = (P1-P2) x 10 m of water
where
P1, Venturimeter line pressure gauge readings in. kg/sq.cm
P2, Venturimeter throat pressure gauge reading in kg/sq.cm

Actual discharge, Qa = Cd a1a2√(2gh) m3/sec

√(a12-a22)
Venturimeter inlet diameter, D = 65 mm
Throat ratio = 0.6
Cd =0.98
a1 –area at inlet of venturimeter = m2
a2- area at the throat of venturimeter = m2
2. TO DETERMINE HEAD
Turbine pressure gauge reading, P= ……. kg/sq.cm
Total head H=Px10 m of water = …………. m of water
3. TURBINE INPUT
Input = wQH watts
w = 9810 N/m3
H= total head in m of water
4. TURBINE OUTPUT
Brake drum diameter =0.40m
Rope diameter =0.015m
Effective drum diameter =0.415 m
Hanger weight, T0 = 1 Kg
Weight , T1 = ………Kg
Spring Load , T2 = ………..Kg
Spring balance error, S = ………..Kg
Resultant load, T = (T1-T2 +S +T0) Kg x 9.81 N
=
Speed of the turbine, N =…………. Rpm

Turbine output = 2πNTR KW

60 x 1000

= ………………..

Turbine Efficiency = Output x 100

Input
5. SPECIFIC SPEED OF THE TURBINE

Specific Speed, Ns = N√P N= ………. rpm

H 5/4

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

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HYDRAULICS MACHINES LABORATORY MANUAL Page 4

Where N= speed of turbine in rpm

P =Power output in KW at maximum efficiency
H= Effective head in m

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS (Set No…)

Graphs

Plot
1. Efficiency Vs Output
2. Discharge Vs Output
3. Input Vs Output
Q

η
I/P
Q η I/P

Output

Warning
1. Do not start the motor without priming the pump.
2. Do not start the motor without closing the delivery gate valve completely.

RESULT

INFERENCE

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING