Experiment “9”

Efficiency of electrical generator

Objectives:

1. To measure the current, voltage and frequency out of the electrical generator
2. To compute the electrical power from generator.
3. How to compute the efficiency of electrical generator.
4.

Theory:

The electrical power generator function is to convert the mechanical power from the steam turbine into
electrical power in the form of voltage, current and frequency. This efficiency can be computed by
dividing the electrical power generated by the generator on the mechanical power supplied to the
generator from the steam turbine:

η = (V * I)/(T * ω)

SSC = ṁst/Brake Power, ṁst is the mass flow rate of steam in kg/s.

Brake power = T*ω

ω = 2*π*N,

N in rev. per second

T = F*L,

F = M*g – S, in newton

L is the arm of the force F. in meters.

ṁst = (Vtank – mcp)*ρwater, in kg/s.

-Regarding the specific fuel consumption (SFC),

SFC = ṁfuel/Brake power, in kg/kw.hr, as the SFC decreased, the efficiency of the plant is increased.

ṁfuel = ὑfuel* ρfuel,

ρfuel = SGfuel * ρwater

\According to T-S diagram of Rankine cycle shown below:

1
1-2: Isentropic expansion of superheated steam in steam turbine

Then,

Mechanical efficiency = ηmechanical = brake power = ṁst *(h1 – h2), where:

h1 : Enthalpy of the steam at entry of steam turbine as shown on the T-S diagram

h2 : Enthalpy of the steam at exit of steam turbine as shown on the T-S diagram

Needed Apparatus:

1. Steam power plant

2. Pressure gage
3. Thermometer
4. Stopwatch

Experiment procedure:

1. After the steam enters the turbine, adjust the generator speed to the equilibrium value
2. Adjust the generator speed to its equilibrium position by adding weights to the torque arm.
3. Record the values of current, voltage and speed, in addition to mass and the spring force.
4. raise the generator speed by increasing the amount of steam entering the turbine and take
readings as follows:

2
Data:
#
N (rps)

Voltage (v)
(Amp)
Current

V*I

M (kg)

S (N)

ω (rad/s)

T (N.m)

η
I
1. 41 50 5 7.5 58
2. 36 60 10 7.5 56

3. 31 70 12 7.5 54

4. 27 80 16 7.5 51

L=0.4 m

Results:

#
h2(kJ/kg)

ṁst (kg/s)

power(wat)
Brake
(%)
Efficiency
Mechanical

(kg/kJ.hr)
SSC

(kg/kJ.hr)
SFC
h1(kJ/kg)

1.
2.

3.

4.

Discussion and conclusion:

After completing the table above,

1. plot the brake power versus the rotational speed then discuss the results and write down your
conclusion
2. plot the generator efficiency versus the rotational speed
3. plot the electrical power versus the rotational speed
4. Discuss the results and write down you conclusion