Basic Mechanical Engineering

Power Plants: Part-2

Dr. K B Rana
Department of Mechanical Engineering
RTU, Kota
 Diesel Power Plant
• A Diesel power station(also known as Stand-by power station) uses a diesel engine
as prime mover for the generation of electrical energy.
• In this system, multicylinder turbo-charged diesel engines are used instead of
turbine. The atmospheric air is compressed by a compressor and it is taken inside
the engine cylinder where fuel (diesel) is injected. The diesel burns inside the
engine and the combustion process moves a fluid that turns the engine shaft and
drives the generator. The generator converts the mechanical energy into electrical
energy.
• Exhaust gas from the
engine is used to drive a
turbine which runs the
compressor (called
turbocharging).
• Due to high operating
temperature of turbo-
charged engine, cooling
of engine lubricating oil
is done in oil cooler by
cooling water.
 Hydroelectric Power Plant
• In Hydropower plant, as we know that, dam acts as a strong wall to get the water level high
in the reservoir, thus increasing its potential energy. Height difference in the level of
reservoir and penstock, is the main reason behind all the pressure force we get, that would
strike the turbine and thus generate the required power.
• Once we open the control gates water through penstock travel to the turbine. We have a
valve just before the turbine which control the flow of water entering the turbine
according to the load at the turbine.
• Trash rack is there to remove all the
impurities from the water going to
turbine. It reduces the wear and tear
of the turbine thus increasing the
turbine life.
• Water strikes the turbine blades,
converting the pressure energy of
water into mechanical energy, which
is further gets converted into
electrical energy by generator.
• Mainly three types of water turbines
are used which will be discussed in
upcoming slides.
For better explanation about working of
hydroelectric power plant, watch the video given
below:
https://youtu.be/Uhjhufhg3Xk
 (1) Pelton Wheel Turbine

Blade shape:
Double Semi-
ellipsoidal cup

• It is impulse turbine which is used to obtain high head (more than 900 m.).
• The potential energy of the water is converted into kinetic energy by passing it
through a nozzle. Once we have high speed water jet, we can use its impact to
rotate a turbine. Thus impulse turbine only uses the kinetic energy of water to
get its power.
• Bucket material: cast steel, bronge or SS
• In small units, water can be controlled by rotating hand wheel, whereas in bigger
units, governer is used.
For Better Understanding, Watch the Video Given Below: https://youtu.be/qbyL--6q7_4
 (2) Francis Turbine

• It is mixed flow type reaction turbine and used for medium head (50-600 m).
• Water enters the casing and flow radially towards the center of runner. Runner
blades are so shaped that water enters the runner radially and leaves it axially.
The water is guided to the runner by guide vanes.
• Francis turbine blades are designed in such a way that one portion of the blade
design creates the pressure difference between the opposite faces of the blade
when water flows through it, and the remaining portion’s blade design use the
impulse force of water hitting it and this combined action of pressure difference
and impulse force generates enough power to get turbine moving at a required
speed. Thus runner blades make use of both pressure energy and kinetic energy
of water and rotates the runner in most efficient way.
For better comprehension watch the video given below: https://youtu.be/3BCiFeykRzo
 (3) Kaplan Turbine

• Kaplan Turbine is an axial flow reaction turbine with adjustable blades.

• It is capable of working at low head and high flow rates very efficiently
which is impossible with Francis turbine. The working range of head at which
the Kaplan turbine works more efficiently is 10 to 70 m.
• Since it is a reaction turbine, so the reaction force of leaving water is used to
turn the runner of the Kaplan turbine, As the water flows through the
twisted blades a lift force is generated in the opposite direction of the
leaving water and that lift force causes the blades to rotate.
 Comparison of different Water Turbines
SN Criteria Pelton Turbine Francis Turbine Kaplan Turbine
Pelton turbine is an impulse type Francis Turbine is an inward flow Kaplan turbine is a propeller type
1 Type
water turbine reaction turbine. reaction turbine.
The operating water head of a
It is used for high heads ( more It is used for low heads ranging from
2 Head Francis turbine ranges from 50 to
than 900 m) 10 to 70 metres
600m.
The diameter of the runner varies The diameter of the runner The diameter of the runner varies
3 Runner
from 0.8 to 0.6m varies between 0.91 to 10.6 between 2 to 11 metres
Direction of The flow of water is tangential to
The flow of water through the
Flow of Water the runner. Hence it is also called The flow of water is axial through
4 blades combines both radial and
Through the as tangential flow impulse the blades.
axial flow.
Blades turbines
Power The power generated by a The output power obtained varies
5 Power generated is about 400MW
Generation Francis turbine is about 800MW from 5 to 200 MW
The rate of speed in a Pelton
The speed of the turbine ranges The rotational speed varies from
6 Speed turbine changes from 65 to
from 75 to 1000rpm 69.2 to 429 rpm.
800rpm
Medium discharge is required for
Discharge The required discharge for the A Kaplan turbine requires high
7 the working of the Francis
Required working of a Pelton turbine is low. discharge for efficient working.
turbine.
The Kaplan Turbine uses both
The Pelton turbines uses kinetic The Francis turbine converts
Type of kinetic and potential energy, which
8 energy and converts into potential energy into mechanical
Energy then is converted into mechanical
mechanical energy energy
energy.
The Kaplan turbine gives higher
The efficiency of a Pelton turbine The efficiency of a Francis
9 Efficiency efficiency about 90%
is about 85% turbine is about 90%.