MEFC 121

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY 2

PERFORMANCE TEST OF HYDRAULIC TURBINES

I. Objective:
1. To obtain the wheel power produced by a Pelton turbine at different loads at every
spear valve setting.
2. To determine the Pelton turbine performance and efficiency.
3. To obtain the mechanical power produced by a Francis turbine at different loads at
every guide vane setting.
4. To determine the Francis turbine performance and efficiency.

II. Theory and Analysis:

Discuss the principles of operation of hydraulic turbines.
III. Equipment, Instruments and Apparatuses:
Hydraulic Turbines – Pelton and Francis type with prony brakes
Volumetric/hydraulic bench
Optical Tachometer
Stop watch

IV. Drawing/Set up:

Draw the Pelton and Francis turbines available in the laboratory and label the parts.
Draw the actual set-up of the experiment with any of the two turbines mounted on the
hydraulic bench. Label the parts.

V. Procedure:
A. Pelton Turbine
7. Fit the plastic weir supplied to the weir slot of the volumetric bench.
8. Put the turbine onto the top of the volumetric bench so that its outlet is over the
shallow reservoir part of the bench.
9. Connect the outlet pipe of the bench to the inlet of the turbine. Tighten it securely so
that there would be no water leakage.
10. Adjust the spring balances to give no load and make sure that they show zero (0)
reading.
11. Fully shut the spear valve by turning it fully clockwise. Do not tighten it too much.
12. Start the volumetric bench and slowly open the control valve while opening the spear
valve of the turbine turning them both at counter clockwise direction until both are
fully open.
13. Use the volumetric bench to measure its volumetric flow for reference. Note the inlet
pressure.
14. Use the optical tachometer to measure the maximum (no-load) speed of the turbine.
To do this, aim the beam of light of the tachometer onto the reflective marker of the
brake drum of the turbine found at the back of the turbine covered with clear glass.
15. Slowly increase the load by tightening both of the adjustment screws at the same
time. Do this in steps to make at least seven set of results. At each step, record the
turbine speed and the readings of each of the two spring balances. Stop if the speed
becomes unstable or the turbine stops rotating.
16. Repeat the test with the spear valve approximately half open and approximately
quarter open. The exact amount of spear valve opening is not important, as long as
they are different from each other to compare the effect.
 B. Francis Turbine
1. Fit the plastic weir supplied to the weir slot of the volumetric bench.
2. Put the turbine onto the top of the volumetric bench so that draft tube is over the
shallow reservoir part of the bench.
3. Fit the extended pipe of the draft tube.
4. Connect the outlet pipe of the bench to the inlet of the turbine. Tighten it securely so
that there would be no water leakage.
5. Fully open the guide vanes to the 100% position.
6. Adjust the spring balances to give no load and make sure that they show zero (0)
reading.
7. Start the volumetric bench and slowly open the control valve at counter clockwise
direction until fully open.
8. Use the volumetric bench to measure its volumetric flow for reference.
9. Use the optical tachometer to measure the maximum (no-load) speed of the turbine.
To do this, aim the beam of light of the tachometer onto the reflective marker of the
brake drum of the turbine found at the back of the turbine covered with clear glass.
10. Slowly increase the load by tightening both of the adjustment screws at the same
time. Do this in steps of 50 rpm. At each step, record the turbine speed and the
readings of each of the two spring balances. Stop if the speed becomes unstable or
the turbine stops rotating.
11. Repeat the test at a guide vane settings of 2/3 (66% open) and 1/3 (33% open).

VI. Data and Results:

A. Pelton Turbine
1. Make three tables as in the figure below at the different spear valve settings
(100%, 50% and 25% open).

Initial flow: Liters/sec.

Inlet Pressure: Paskal
Spear Valve Setting: %
Left Right Torque Mechanical Water Efficiency
Speed
TRIAL Balance Balance Power Power
rpm
Newtons Newtons N-m Watts Watts %
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
 2. Plot the curves as in the figure below according to the three tables made
previously.

Performance Curve for 100%, 50% and 25% open

5 0.16

0.14

4
0.12

0.10
3
0.08

2 0.06

● Power
0.04
1 ▪ Torque 0.02

0 0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

B. Francis Turbine
1. Make three tables as in the figure below at the different guide vane settings 100%,
2/3 (66% open) and 1/3 (33% open).

Initial flow: Liters/sec.

Inlet Pressure: Paskal
Spear Valve Setting: %
Left Right Torque Mechanical Water Efficiency
Speed
TRIAL Balance Balance Power Power
rpm
Newtons Newtons N-m Watts Watts %
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
2. Plot the curves as in the figure below according to the three tables made previously.

Performance Curve for 100%, 66% and 33% open

5 0.16

0.14

4
0.12

0.10
3
0.08

2 0.06

● Power
0.04
1 ▪ Torque 0.02

0 0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

Useful Equations:

PB – Mechanical or Brake Power, Watts.

This is the power absorbed by the turbine from the water power.

PB = 2πNT
60

Torque, T – This is the torque measured by the two spring balances, N-m.

F= B–A

T = RxF

Radius, R – This is the radius of brake drum, meters

Total Force, F –this is the difference between the right balance reading, B and the left
balance reading, A, Newtons.
Speed, N – The rotational speed of the brake drum, rpm.
 PW – Water Power, Watts
This is the power generated from water supply through the hydraulic turbines.

PW = QP
1000

Q – Initial Flow, Liters/sec.

P – Turbine inlet pressure, Paskal

ηt – Turbine efficiency, %

PB
ηt = x 100 %
PW
VII. Research Questions:

1. Make a sketch of a high head and low head hydroelectric power plant, label their
respective basic parts and define or describe these basic parts.
2. What are the classifications of hydraulic turbines? Discuss each with the aid of
illustration.
3. Give the advantages of a hydroelectric power plant which makes it more suitable
against other types of power plants. What are its disadvantages?
4. Explain the hydrological cycle.
5. Define, compare and contrast precipitation, evaporation and run-off.
6. Discuss the various factors for selecting a site for hydro-power plants.
7. Name the various types of dams. Give the advantages and drawbacks of earth dams.
8. Discuss with the aid of an illustration a pumped storage power plant.
9. Discuss the function of a draft tube in a hydro-plant. Discuss the various types of a draft
tube.
10. What is the function of surge tanks in hydro-plants? Make a sketch of the various types
of surge tanks.

VIII. Discussion and Conclusion:

IX. References:
Book title, Author, Publisher, Edition, page/pages
Internet website.

X. Appendix: Attach all original data sheets, computations, diagrams and sketches.
 Outlet Pipe
Plastic Weir
Reservoir

Water Level
Scale
Volumetric
Bench

HYDRAULIC BENCH
 Load Adjust
Controls

Left Spring Balance

Right Spring Balance

Pelton Wheel

Spear Valve Control

Water Outlet Inlet Pressure Gauge

Water Inlet

PELTON TURBINE
 Load Adjust
Controls

Right Spring Balance

Left Spring Balance

Guide Vane Guide Vane

Indicator Control
Lever
Guide Vane Rotor

Water Outlet

Water Inlet

Draft Tube

Inlet Pressure
Gauge

Extension
Pipe

FRANCIS TURBINE