University of Khartoum

Faculty of Engineering

Mechanical Engineering Department

Fluid Mechanics Laboratory

KAPLAN TURBINE

Name: Mahmoud Salah eldeen Ahmed Elhassan

Index: 165094
Group: (9)
Introduction:
Kaplan Turbine is an axial reaction flow turbine which is suitable for low heads and hence
requires a large quantity of water to develop a large amount of power and has adjustable blades.

Objective:

In this experiment we aim to investigate the characteristics of a Kaplan turbine runs over several
operating conditions.

Device:

HM 421 Kaplan Turbine Trainer.

Components:

1- Lever for adjusting the guide vanes.

2- Kaplan turbine.
3- Brake.
4- Tank with submersible pump.
5- Flow rate sensor.
6- Handwheel for throttle valve.
7- Switch cabinet.
8- Level indicator for tank.
 Procedure:

The main switch of the Kaplan trainer is to be switched on, then the shut off flap is fully
opened using the hand wheel. The torque display is reset to show the 0 value. The pump
switch is turned on, and the desired parameters are set. The experiment started by setting the
desired rotational speed using the adjusting handle for braking torque, while changing the
guide vane angle to three values, and the data are measured at each angle. The experiment is
repeated for three different rotational speeds of the turbine. The experiment ended by turning
off the pump switch and then the main switch.

Data:
Gui
de N Q P1 P2 T H (m) P P
N 𝜂 Temperat
vane (rev/mi (m³/ (mba (mba (N mech hydr
o. % ure (C)
angl n) h) r) r) m) (W) (W)
e
1 3000 128 407 -27 3.5 4.4240 1543.1 71.219 35.5
-10 57 1099 11 76
2 2000 96 259 -14 1.73 2.7828 362.14 49.745 35.7
75 67 728 42
3 1500 78 179 -10 1.21 1.9266 46.390 35.8
06 189.97 409.5 72
4 3000 122 378 -21 2.66 4.0672 1352.1 61.770 36.1
15 78 835.24 67 49
5 2000 88 246 -13 1.5 2.6401 633.11 49.596 36.2
63 314 11 35
6 1500 71 164 -9 0.61 1.7635 341.19 28.069 36.3
07 95.77 44 04
7 3000 114 395 -18 2.77 4.2099 1307.8 66.505 36.5
30 9 869.78 33 42
8 2000 85 250 -12 1.56 2.6707 618.61 52.789 36.6
44 326.56 11 22
9 1500 70 176 -9 0.65 1.8858 359.72 28.369 36.8
31 102.05 22 11

Nomenclature:

N= Turbine speed. H= Water head.

Q= Flow rate. Phydr=Hydraulic power.

T= Torque. Pmech= Mechanical power.

P1= Turbine inlet pressure. 𝜂= Turbine efficiency.

P2= Turbine outlet pressure.

Calculations:

Sample:

P 1−P 2
H= ϱg
= 2.6402 m

Phydr = ϱ g Q H = 1000*9.81*(2.6402*88/3600) = 633.12 W

ω = 2*π*N/60 = 2*π*(2000)/60 = 209.4395 rad/s
Pmech= T × ω = (1.5)*(209.4395) = 314.1593 W
𝜂 = Pmech/ Phydr = 314.2/633.12 = 49.6%

Graphs:

Torque vs Speed

4
3.5
3
2.5
Torque

2
1.5
1
0.5
0
1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400 2600 2800 3000 3200
Speed

-15 10 30
 Mechanical power VS Speed

1200

1000
Mechanical power

800

600

400

200

0
1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400 2600 2800 3000 3200
Speed

-15 10 30

Efficiency VS Speed

80
70
60
50
Efficiency

40
30
20
10
0
1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400 2600 2800 3000 3200
Speed

-15 10 30

Conclusion:
It was noticed that when the vane angle increases the rotational speed increases.
The optimum speed was found to be 3000 r.p.m.
The optimum vane angle was found to be -10 degree.