16 March 2012

Performance characteristics
Theoretical analysis can not obtain exact results of the real
flow state and the performance of turbines.
Therefore experimental research is necessary to carry out in
laboratories on models of the prototype turbines
Results from these model tests are valid for the prototype
through the similarity relations and scale ratios.
A model turbine has to be geometrically similar to the
prototype in all hydraulic passages from the turbine inlet to
the outlet.
A standard for model testing of water turbines is the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
Recommendation, Publication 193

Unit Quantity
Turbines are designed to operate under conditions which give maximum efficiency.
But sometimes the turbine may have to operate under different conditions.
N1 N2
Nu  
H1 H2 Unit quantities are used for predicting the
P1 P2 performance of the same turbines under different
Pu  
3 3 operating conditions.
H12 H 22
Q1 Q2 The plotting of performance characteristic curves on
Qu   the basis of unit quantities is easy.
H1 H2
Example:
A turbine is to operate under a head of 25m (H1) at 200 rpm (N1). The discharge is 0.75m3/s
(Q1). If the efficiency is 80% determine the performance of the turbine under the new site
condition of 20m(H2) head. Find Q2, N2 and P2
P1  .g.Q.H  0.8  9.81* 0.75 * 25  147.15 kW
N1 200
N2  * H2  * 20  N 2  178.88 rpm
H1 25
Q1 0.75 3
Q2  * H2  * 20  Q2  0.67 m
H1 25 s
P 147.15
P2  11.5 * H 21.5  * 201.5  P2  105.29 kW
H1 251.5 2

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Similarity between model & prototype

Similarities parameters or similarity "Laws" helps in predicting the performance
of a prototype based on experiment on model. For complete similarity between
model and prototype the following dimensionless parameters to be same.
A similar model means:
a) Geometric similarity - all linear dimension on model &
prototype should have the same scale ratio.
Lp Dp Hp
   Lr
Lm Dm Hm

b) Kinematics similarity - velocity and acceleration at

corresponding points on M & P should have same ratio.
Vp ap
 Vr ;  ar
Vm am
c) Dynamic similarity - all force on M & P should have same ratio.
FI p FV p FG p FC p FP p FS p Re P  Re m
      Fr or, 
FI m FV m FG m FC m FP m FS m Fr P  Fr m
M n P  M n m
But, in practice all these five dimensionless parameters can not be
simultaneously satisfy. The problem is solved by identifying the prominent force En P  En m
and making the corresponding dimensionless parameter equal. Wn P  Wn m 3

Model Testing of Hydraulic Turbine

The main performance parameters of a hydraulic turbines are:
Head, H
Discharge, Q Shaft Power Ps
 
Power, P Hy draulicPower .g.Q.H n
Speed, N
Runner Diameter, D, etc.
Usually the best operating condition of a Hydraulic Turbine is determined on the
basis of experiment conducted on the small scale turbine "model".
 P 
The conditions for similarity between M & P 
  f  Re ;
Q g.H 
; ;
are determined by dimensional analysis.  3
N.D N 3 .D5 N 2 .D 2 
 
 Q   Q 
 N  D3    N  D3 
 P  M
 P   P  Are the similarity law for Hydraulic Turbine,
     
 which helps in predicting the performance
 N 3  D5   N 3  D5 
  P   M of "Prototype" based on experiment
conducted on "Model".
 g.H   g.H 
 N 2  D2    N 2  D2 
 P  M 4

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 16 March 2012

Characteristic Curves for Turbine

The plotting characteristic curve against various parameters of the
turbine indicates the performance of the turbine and its best
operating condition
The most important performance parameters for a Turbine in
general are:
- Discharge (Q)
- Shaft Power (kW)
- Operating head (H)
- Speed (N)
- Efficiency (η)
- Valve opening
(Flow regulation, %Q)

The characteristic curve shows the performance of the turbines under

condition other than design conditions at which efficiency is
maximum.
- Constant head curve (Main curve)
- Constant speed curve (Operating characteristics)
- Constant Efficiency curve (Iso-efficiency curve)

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 16 March 2012

Main curves (Constant head curves)

To obtain the main curves
Operating Head (H) is maintained constant
Speed (N) is varied by allowing variable quantity of flow (Q) of water
Mechanical power at turbine shaft is measured with the help of dynamometer
The efficiency of the turbine is calculated based on shaft power as output power
and hydraulic power available at inlet of turbine with net head and discharge.

The typical constant head curves for a Pelton Turbine

NRunway

The discharge (Q) for a Pelton turbine depends only on the valve opening and independent of
speed (N).
Runway speed can be 1.8 to 1.9 times more than designed speed, N) (NRunway ≈ 1.8 to 1.9 N)
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The typical constant head curves for a Francis Turbine

NRunway

The discharge (Q) for a Francis turbine decreases with increase speed (N). This is due to the
centrifugal force acting radically outward that oppose the flow.
Runway speed can be1.8 to 1.9 times more than designed speed, N) (NRunway ≈ 2 to 2.2 N)
The typical constant curves for a Kaplan Turbine

NRunway

The discharge (Q) for a Kaplan turbine increases with increase speed (N).
Runway speed can be1.8 to 1.9 times more than designed speed, N) (NRunway ≈ 2.5 to 83 N)

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Constant speed curve (Operating characteristics)

The operating curves are obtained as follow:

The speed (N) is maintained constant.
Load is varied with keeping speed constant by regulating flow (Q).
Mechanical power at turbine shaft is measured with the help of dynamometer for
corresponding load and flow.
The efficiency of the turbine is calculated based on shaft power as output power
and hydraulic power available at inlet of turbine with net head and discharge. 9

Constant Efficiency curve (Iso-efficiency curve)

Preparation of the constant efficiency curves

The curve for the best performance is obtained
by joining the peak of the various efficiency
curves.

The important of constant efficiency curve is that

they give at a glance the best operating
condition for a turbine.

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 16 March 2012

MHP Performance testing: Why ?

• To confirm that all components/ systems are
performing their assigned functions correctly.
• To confirm that the generating units are operating
efficiently.
• To ensure the quality standard of the MHP
components/ systems.
• To assist R & D for manufacturing efficient systems.
• Generating power and efficiency as guaranteed.
• Verifying power generation as designed and
projected
• To ensure safety standard and safe operation
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MHP Performance testing: What ?

• Water conductor system (Intake, Headrace, desilting, forebay etc.)
– Overall inspection of all components
– Measurement (Level difference, Gross head, Discharge)
– Functional checks
– Design standards
• Generator
– General health
– Performance at various load
– Line current and terminal voltage
– Power/ Power factor
– Temperature (stator, rotor, cooling medium)
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 16 March 2012

MHP Performance testing: What ?

• Turbine
– General health (sound level, vibration, alignment)
– Temperature (bearing )
– Performance measurement
• Power output
• Efficiency
• Efficiency variation with load
– Discharge measurement (Using any one of following methods)
• Ultrasonic transit-time flow meter
• Tracer method
• Pitot tube method
• Weirs
• Volumetric gauging, etc.
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MHP Performance testing: What ?

• Regulation and controlling system
– Functional checks.
– Governing system(sensitivity, load rejection, overspeed)
– Excitation control / AVR system
– Design standards
• Protection system
– Functional check (Circuit breaker; master/ auxiliary
relays)
– Protective relays (O/V; U/V; O/C relays etc.)
– MCCBs/ MCBs / contactors
– Design standards
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 16 March 2012

MHP Performance testing: What ?

• Governor / Load controller
– Functional requirement
– Performance with various load application
• Power Transformers
– Temperature rise
– Transformer ratio
• Transmission/ Distribution system
– Conductor size
• Poles sizing, stay wire, lightening arrestor, clearance
– Voltage drop (Allowable limit)
– End user voltage
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MHP Performance testing: How ?

• Team comprises of Civil/ Electrical/ Mechanical experts
• Test Equipment (fully equipped with test equipment)
• Obtain technical data of the schemes
• Plan inspection, checks and tests
• Recheck/ calibrate test instruments
• Conduct (visual, inspection, functional check of all components)
• Obtain Records (test & measurements)
• Prepare Report
– Complies generation data
– Complies functional requirements
– Complies and analyzed test data obtained
– Mention method and instrument used
– Observation, remarks and conclusion

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 16 March 2012

MHP Performance testing: Power verification ?

• In our MHP Plant context; Power verification is done by
individual or consulting firms who are qualified by AEPC/ESAP.
• The purpose of power verification is to ensure whether the power
produce by MHP as specified
• The electrical power at generator out put is measured.
– By measuring phase voltage and current in each phase using clamp meter.
– By using power measuring kit (dump load) connected parallel to ballast load.
• The discharge flow (Q) and head with pressure gauge is also
measured to ensure design head and discharge.
• This basically fulfills the subsidy policy that verify generation power.
• This deals with testing/ commissioning process for final acceptance
of project on behalf of the users.
• This method does not measure the efficiency of turbine and other
hydraulic components.
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