EXPERIMENT NO.

4
HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER PLANT

OBJECTIVES:

1. To familiarize ourselves with the hydraulic turbine operation

2. To be able to determine the efficiency of this turbine when subjected to
varying loads

THEORY AND ANALYSIS:

Hydroelectric system is considered one of the most important sources of

electricity in our country today. Using the energy available when water is allowed
to flow from a high level to a lower one generates the power. Normally water is
stored behind a dam to a given load, then allowed to run-off through culverts around
the dam to water turbines in a hydroelectric power plant at its foot. The vertical
distance the water falls from the surface to the turbine is the head. The higher the
head, the greater the power that can be generated and the larger the lake formed
behind the dam, the greater the energy available.

Gravitational energy available for the generation of electricity from water

flowing from a higher level to a lower level is manifested on the earth in essentially
two forms:

1. Descending natural watercourses, created by precipitation of rain and snow

which flows from mountains, hills and plateau to sea level
2. Changes in levels of estuaries and other ocean-associated bodies of water
which occur as the result of actions of the tides.
FORMULAS:
 Determining the discharge flow through the rectangular weir

𝑄 = 3.33𝑊𝐻 3Τ2 1.828WH3/2 (SI units)

Where, W = width of the weir (ft) W = width (m)
H = height of water discharging (ft)
Q = discharge (cfs) H = height (m)
 Determining the effective head

𝐻𝑒 =
𝑃
+
𝑉2
+𝑍
W = 28 in
𝛾 2𝑔

Where, 𝑉 =
𝑄
𝐴
=
𝑄
𝜋𝑑2 Draft tube diameter = 8 in
4
g = gravity of acceleration
P = pressure of water in the suction
𝛾 = specific weight of water
Z = distance from gage center line to water level
= 3 – H (ft)
d = draft tube diameter
 Determining of Water Power
𝑊𝑃 = 𝑄 × 𝛾 × 𝐻𝑒 × 𝑆. 𝐺

 Determining of Brake Power

𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑

𝐵𝑃 = =
𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝜂𝑔
96%
 Determination of Turbine Efficiency

𝐵𝑃
𝜂𝑡 = × 100%
𝑊𝑃
LIST OF APPARATUS / INSTRUMENTS:

 Hydraulic Turbine
 A.C. Generator
 Incandescent Bulbs
 Centrifugal Pump
 Pressure Gauge
 Stop Watch
 Steel Tape
 Hook Gage
 Weir
PROCEDURE:

1. Open the main gate valve

2. Switch on the motor to start the centrifugal pump
3. Maintain the volt meter at 220 volts by adjusting the rheostat or the
butterfly valve as the needs arise
4. Adjust the hook depth gage so that the level of water above the crest can
be measured during the operation
5. For trial 1, switch on one 200W incandescent bulb
6. Record the voltage drop caused by the loading
7. Adjust the rheostat or the butterfly valve to set again the line voltage back
to 220 V
8. Then, start the timer and let the unit operates for about three minutes
9. Before the trial ends, adjust the tip of the hook gage to the water level
discharging (flowing) through the weir and measure the height of water
10. For trials 2,3,4 and 5, increase the load by an increment of 200W and repeat
the above procedure
11. Determine all pertinent data needed to compute the data sheet
SET-UP OF APPARATUS:
Getting the height of the water in the weir
Data Sheet
Data Sheet: 1
Load Pressure Height Discharge Brake Head Water Eff
Trial
(watt) (KPag) (cm) (cms) Power (m) Power (%)

1 200 152 9          

2 400 145 9.5          

3 600 145 9.8          

4 800 138 11          

5 1000 131 12          
Data Sheet: 2
Load Pressure Height Discharge BP Head WP Eff
Trial
(watt) (KPag) (cm) (cms) (watt) (m) (watt) (%)

1 200 150 8.25          

2 400 148 9.0          

3 600 145 9.53          

4 800 140 10.16          

5 1000 138 11.43          

GRAPHS: