EML 331/2 Engineering Laboratory II

Experiment 8 Hydraulic Turbines

PART 1
Title : Performance Test on Francis Turbine (Reaction)
Objective
1. To carry out the performance test on Francis Turbine
2. Draw the inlet and exit velocity diagrams
3. Calculate specific work, shaft power, hydraulic power output, overall efficiency,
degree of reaction at various speeds and blade positions
Introduction
Turbines are energy producing devices as they extract energy from the fluid and transfer
most of that energy to some form of mechanical energy output, typically in the form of a
rotating shaft. The fluid at the outlet of a turbine suffers an energy loss, typically in the
form of a loss of pressure. The purpose of a turbine is to extract energy from a fluid,
resulting in a decrease of fluid pressure, not necessarily a decrease of fluid speed across
the turbine.
The Francis turbine is a type of water turbine that was developed by James B. Francis in
Lowell, Massachusetts. It is an inward-flow reaction turbine that combines radial and
axial flow concepts. Francis turbine is considered as a reaction turbine which consists of
fixed guide vanes called stay vanes, adjustable guide vanes called wicket gates, and
rotating blades called runner blades. Flows enter tangentially at high pressure is turned
toward the runner by the stay vanes as it moves along the spiral casing or volute, and then
passes through the wicket gates with a large tangential velocity component.
Francis turbine is somewhat similar in geometry to a centrifugal or mixed-flow pump, but
with the flow in the opposite direction. However the typical pump running backward
would not be a very efficient turbine. Reaction turbine can be classified according to the
angle that the flow enters the runner. If the flow enters the runner radially, the turbine is
called as Francis radial-flow turbine and if the flow enters the runner at some angle
between radial and axial, the turbine is called Francis mixed-flow turbine. Francis
turbine is used only when there is a band on the runner by some of the hydroturbine
engineers.
Theory
Hydraulic turbines are components of a hydraulic power station. They are designed to
convert the potential energy of power contained in rivers, canals into mechanical energy
which is then converted into electrical energy by electrical generators. They are of two
types of turbine which are Impulse turbine and Reaction turbine.
The static pressure (1.1) at runner inlet is greater than at outlet (1.2). The conversion of
potential energy into kinetic energy is distributed over the blading system (2) and
runner.in Francis turbine part of the pressure energy is converted into velocity in blade

system (1) and accelerated flow enters runner (2) and from outside and flow radially
through inside. The peripherial velocities at inlet and exit are different. The moving
blades are curved backwards. Water exits axially from runner at 3. The flow rate and
hence the power can be regulated by adjustable fixed blades.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3: Blades were closed and generates zero power

Figure 4: Blades are opened widely and generates full power

Relevant Formula
The index 0 refers to plane upstream of fixed blade T to plane between the fixed and
moving blades and index 2 to the plane at outlet downstream of moving blades.
The peripheral velocities
and
and inside diameters
and .

are obtained from required speed

and the outside

The radial component of absolute inlet velocity

can be calculated from the water flow
rate through the annular space upstream of the wheel.

By knowing the inlet blade angle , of the moving blade relative velocity at inlet is given
by

The inlet absolute velocity component in the peripheral direction

calculate the power given by

The flow inlet angle,

through the fixed blades is determined by

is important to

The radial component of absolute inlet velocity

,
absolute velocity component in the peripherial direction
and
.

and exit
are calculated similar to
,

The specific blade work is given by

The turbine power is obtained by knowing the mass flow rate of water and specific blade
work.

The effective power is calculated by

The hydraulic input and overall efficiency

The degree of reaction is obtained from inlet velocity

and head .

where

Formula of Mechanical Power and Hydraulic Power,

Apparatus
A fully functional laboratory model Francis turbine with adjustable fixed blades, runner
blades and measuring devices for brake power, speed, torque, flow rate and pressure
Result
Blade
Position
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Pressure (Bar)
P1
1.637
1.634
1.627
1.620
1.612
1.600
1.590
1.579
1.570
1.562
1.552

P2
1.570
1.558
1.541
1.520
1.501
1.464
1.445
1.415
1.393
1.371
1.345

Volume
Flow Rate,
V (l/min)

Volume
Flow Rate,
V (m3/s)

Torque,
T (Nm)

Effective
Power, Peff
(W)

Wheel
Speed, N
(rpm)

P3
1.063
47.0
0.000783
0.61
0.4941
1800
1.062
56.5
0.000942
0.61
0.4941
1962
1.062
68.4
0.001140
0.61
0.4941
1965
1.061
80.4
0.001340
0.61
0.4941
1910
1.060
96.7
0.001612
0.61
0.4941
1902
1.058
105.4
0.001757
0.61
0.4941
1744
1.058
115.1
0.001918
0.61
0.4941
1612
1.057
124.8
0.002080
0.61
0.4941
1486
1.057
133.3
0.002222
0.61
0.4941
1377
1.056
140.2
0.002337
0.61
0.4941
1280
1.055
147.6
0.002460
0.61
0.4941
1164
Table 1.1: Recorded Data of Francis Turbine at 1,800 rpm

Data Available
Turbine Speed, N
Atmospheric Pressure, Po
Outside Runner Diameter, D1
Inside Runner Diameter, D2
Blade Width, b1
Blade Thickness Projection, t
Number of Runner Blades, z
Inlet Angle of Runner Blade, 1
Outlet Angle of Runner Blades, 2
Blade Efficiency, b
Mechanical Efficiency, m

1800
1.013
0.08
0.04
0.01
0.0025
11
165
50
0.9
0.9

Mass Flow
Rate, m
(kg/s)

Head,
H
(m)

0.783
0.942
1.140
1.340
1.612
1.757
1.918
2.080
2.222
2.337
2.460

6.361
6.330
6.259
6.188
6.106
5.984
5.882
5.770
5.678
5.596
5.494

rpm
bar
m
m
m
m
degree
degree

2.8798
0.8727

1000 kg/m3
Density of Water, w
Table 1.2: Data Available for Francis Turbine Calculation at 1,800rpm

radian
radian

Blade
Position
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Blade
Position
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Peripheral
Velocities (m/s)

Radial Component of
Inlet Velocity, C1r (m/s)

Inlet Relative
Velocity, W1
(m/s)

Inlet Absolute
Velocity Component,
C1u (m/s)

Flow Inlet
Angle, 1

U1
U2
Radian Degree
7.540
3.770
0.3500
1.352
8.846
2.266
129.8
8.218
4.109
0.4207
1.626
9.789
2.461
141.0
8.231
4.115
0.5093
1.968
10.132
2.878
164.9
8.001
4.000
0.5987
2.313
10.235
3.348
191.8
7.967
3.984
0.7200
2.782
10.654
3.866
221.5
7.305
3.653
0.7848
3.032
10.234
4.385
251.3
6.752
3.376
0.8571
3.311
9.951
4.923
282.0
6.225
3.112
0.9293
3.590
9.693
5.476
313.8
5.768
2.884
0.9926
3.835
9.472
5.982
342.7
5.362
2.681
1.0440
4.034
9.258
6.434
368.6
4.876
2.438
1.0991
4.246
8.978
6.980
399.9
Table 1.3: Peripheral Velocities, Inlet Velocity and Flow Inlet Angle of Various Blade Positions at
1,800 rpm

Exit Absolute
Specific
Turbine
Effective
Velocity
Blade Work,
Power, P
Power, Peff
Component, C2u
Es (J/kg)
(W)
(W)
(m/s)
0.7980
1.0417
3.100
55.01
43.09
34.90
0.9593
1.2523
3.304
66.87
62.97
51.00
1.1613
1.5160
3.141
70.47
80.33
65.07
1.3651
1.7820
2.855
70.46
94.42
76.48
1.6418
2.1432
2.606
74.50
120.07
97.26
1.7895
2.3361
2.151
66.91
117.53
95.20
1.9542
2.5511
1.736
61.33
117.65
95.30
2.1189
2.7660
1.334
56018
116.85
94.65
2.2632
2.9544
0.985
51.80
115.07
93.21
2.3804
3.1074
0.683
47.80
111.70
90.48
2.5060
3.2714
0.335
42.96
105.67
85.59
Table 1.4: Exit Velocity, Specific Blade Work, Turbine Power and Effective Power of Various Blade
Position at 1,800 rpm
Radial Component
of Exit Velocity, C2r
(m/s)

Exit Relative
Velocity, W2
(m/s)

Blade
Position
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Blade
Position
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Hydraulic
Power, Phyd
(W)

Overall
Efficiency, o
(%)

Degree
of
Reaction

Hydraulic
Power, Phyd (W)

Mechanical
Power, Pmech (W)

Efficiency,
(%)

48.88
71.41
0.3720
81.14
114.98
141.71
58.48
87.22
0.2271
97.07
125.33
129.11
70.00
92.96
0.1620
116.19
125.52
108.03
8134
94.03
0.1342
135.02
122.01
90.36
96.54
100.75
0.0481
160.25
121.50
75.82
103.12
92.32
0.1026
171.17
111.41
65.08
110.69
86.10
0.1356
183.74
102.97
56.04
117.73
80.40
0.1624
195.43
94.92
48.57
123.75
75.32
0.1857
205.42
87.96
42.82
128.28
70.53
0.2095
212.95
81.77
38.40
132.59
64.55
0.2412
220.11
74.36
33.78
Table 1.5: Hydraulic Power, Overall Efficiency, Degree of Reaction, Mechanical Power and
Efficiency of Various Blade Position at 1,800 rpm
Pressure (Bar)

P1
1.958
1.950
1.942
1.927
1.918
1.901
1.885
1.870
1.855
1.841
1.824

P2
1.880
1.862
1.838
1.796
1.764
1.723
1.684
1.647
1.607
1.574
1.540

Volume
Flow Rate,
V (l/min)

Volume
Flow Rate,
V (m3/s)

Torque,
T (Nm)

Effective
Power, Peff
(W)

Wheel
Speed, N
(rpm)

P3
1.062
58.6
0.000977
0.61
0.4941
2200
1.062
70.9
0.001182
0.61
0.4941
2503
1.061
85.0
0.001417
0.61
0.4941
2513
1.059
104.9
0.001748
0.61
0.4941
2515
1.057
120.2
0.002003
0.61
0.4941
2384
1.057
131.5
0.002192
0.61
0.4941
2180
1.057
145.3
0.002422
0.61
0.4941
2021
1.055
156.4
0.002607
0.61
0.4941
1880
1.055
166.2
0.002770
0.61
0.4941
1763
1.054
175.5
0.002925
0.61
0.4941
1623
1.053
185.0
0.003083
0.61
0.4941
1488
Table 1.6: Recorded Data of Francis Turbine at 2,200 rpm

Data Available
Turbine Speed, N
Atmospheric Pressure, Po
Outside Runner Diameter, D1
Inside Runner Diameter, D2
Blade Width, b1
Blade Thickness Projection, t
Number of Runner Blades, z
Inlet Angle of Runner Blade, 1
Outlet Angle of Runner Blades, 2
Blade Efficiency, b
Mechanical Efficiency, m

2200
1.013
0.08
0.04
0.01
0.0025
11
165
50
0.9
0.9

Mass Flow
Rate, m
(kg/s)

Head,
H
(m)

0.977
1.182
1.417
1.748
2.003
2.192
2.422
2.607
2.770
2.925
3.083

9.633
9.551
9.470
9.317
9.225
9.052
8.889
8.736
8.583
8.440
8.267

rpm
bar
m
m
m
m
degree
degree

2.8798
0.8727

1000 kg/m3
Density of Water, w
Table 1.7: Data Available for Francis Turbine Calculation at 2,200rpm

radian
radian

Peripheral
Inlet Absolute
Flow Inlet
Inlet Relative
Velocities
Blade
Radial Component of
Velocity
Angle, 1
Velocity,
W
1
(m/s)
Position
Inlet Velocity, C1r (m/s)
Component, C1u
(m/s)
(m/s)
U1
U2
Radian Degree
0
7.540 3.770
0.3500
1.352
8.846
2.266
129.8
1
8.218 4.109
0.4207
1.626
9.789
2.461
141.0
2
8.231 4.115
0.5093
1.968
10.132
2.878
164.9
3
8.001 4.000
0.5987
2.313
10.235
3.348
191.8
4
7.967 3.984
0.7200
2.782
10.654
3.866
221.5
5
7.305 3.653
0.7848
3.032
10.234
4.385
251.3
6
6.752 3.376
0.8571
3.311
9.951
4.923
282.0
7
6.225 3.112
0.9293
3.590
9.693
5.476
313.8
8
5.768 2.884
0.9926
3.835
9.472
5.982
342.7
9
5.362 2.681
1.0440
4.034
9.258
6.434
368.6
10
4.876 2.438
1.0991
4.246
8.978
6.980
399.9
Table 1.8: Peripheral Velocities, Inlet Velocity and Flow Inlet Angle of Various Blade Positions at
2,200 rpm

Blade
Position

Radial Component
of Exit Velocity, C2r
(m/s)

Exit Relative
Velocity, W2
(m/s)

Exit Absolute
Velocity Component,
C2u (m/s)

Specific
Blade Work,
Es (J/kg)

Turbine
Power, P
(W)

Effective
Power, Peff
(W)

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

0.9949
1.2038
1.4432
1.7810
2.0408
2.2327
2.4670
2.6554
2.8218
2.9797
3.1410

1.2988
1.5714
1.8839
2.3250
2.6641
2.9145
3.2204
3.4664
3.6836
3.8897
4.1003

3.773
4.232
4.052
3.773
3.281
2.692
2.163
1.709
1.325
0.899
0.481

82.55
108.40
114.34
121.82
116.70
104.46
96.69
89.51
83.75
76.32
69.39

80.62
128.09
161.99
212.98
233.79
228.95
234.16
233.33
231.99
223.23
213.97

65.30
103.75
131.21
172.51
189.37
185.45
189.67
188.99
187.92
180.82
173.31

Table 1.9: Exit Velocity, Specific Blade Work, Turbine Power and Effective Power of Various Blade
Position at 2,200 rpm

Hydraulic
Power, Phyd
(W)

Blade
Position
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Degree of
Reaction

Hydraulic
Power, Phyd (W)

Mechanical
Power, Pmech (W)

Efficiency,
(%)

92.30
70.75
0.3768
153.21
140.53
91.73
110.72
93.70
0.1707
183.80
159.89
86.99
131.61
99.70
0.1038
218047
160.53
73.48
159.80
107.96
0.0071
265.26
160.66
60.56
181.30
104.45
0.0144
300.96
152.29
50.60
194.62
95.29
0.0741
323.07
139.26
43.10
211.17
89.82
0.0969
350.54
129.10
36.83
223.39
84.60
0.1207
370.83
120.09
32.38
233.23
80.57
1.1353
387.17
115.62
29.09
242.19
74.66
0.1665
402.04
103.68
25.79
250.06
69.31
0.1907
415.10
95.05
22.90
Table 1.10: Hydraulic Power, Overall Efficiency, Degree of Reaction, Mechanical Power and
Efficiency of Various Blade Position at 2,200 rpm

Pressure (Bar)
P1
2.292
2.090
1.900
1.733
1.596
1.470
1.360
1.307

Overall
Efficiency, o
(%)

P2
1.938
1.783
1.642
1.516
1.411
1.316
1.230
1.182

Volume
Flow Rate,
V (l/min)

Volume
Flow Rate,
V (m3/s)

Torque,
T (Nm)

Effective
Power, Peff
(W)

Wheel
Speed, N
(rpm)

Mass Flow
Rate, m
(kg/s)

Head,
H (m)

3.495
3.185
2.865
2.562
2.297
2.010
1.725
1.705

13.038
10.979
9.042
7.339
5.943
4.659
3.537
2.997

P3
1.048
209.7
0.003495
0.61
0.4941
2200
1.053
191.1
0.003185
0.61
0.4941
2000
1.053
171.9
0.002865
0.61
0.4941
1800
1.055
153.7
0.002562
0.61
0.4941
1600
1.057
137.8
0.002297
0.61
0.4941
1400
1.057
120.6
0.002010
0.61
0.4941
1200
1.059
103.5
0.001725
0.61
0.4941
1000
1.059
102.3
0.001705
0.64
0.5184
800
Table 1.11: Recorded Data of Francis Turbine at Fixed Blade Position #8

Data Available
Blade Position
Atmospheric Pressure, Po
Outside Runner Diameter, D1
Inside Runner Diameter, D2
Blade Width, b1
Blade Thickness Projection, t
Number of Runner Blades, z
Inlet Angle of Runner Blade, 1
Outlet Angle of Runner Blades, 2
Blade Efficiency, b
Mechanical Efficiency, m

8
1.013
0.08
0.04
0.01
0.0025
11
165
50
0.9
0.9

bar
m
m
m
m
degree
degree

2.8798
0.8727

radian
radian

1000 kg/m3
Density of Water, w
Table 1.12: Data Available for Francis Turbine Calculation at Fixed Blade Position #8

Peripheral
Velocities (m/s)

Radial Component of
Inlet Velocity, C1r (m/s)

Inlet Relative
Velocity, W1
(m/s)

Inlet Absolute
Velocity Component,
C1u (m/s)

Flow Inlet
Angle, 1

Radia
Degre
n
e
9.215
4.608
1.5615
6.033
15.043
5.926
339.5
8.378
4.189
1.4230
5.498
13.688
5.935
340.0
7.540
3.770
1.2800
4.946
12.317
5.933
339.9
6.702
3.351
1.1445
4.422
10.973
5.954
341.2
5.864
2.932
1.0261
3.965
9.694
6.042
346.2
5.027
2.513
0.8980
3.470
8.378
6.118
350.5
4.189
2.094
0.7707
2.978
7.065
6.225
356.7
3.351
1.676
0.7617
2.943
6.194
7.011
401.7
Table 1.13: Peripheral Velocities, Inlet Velocity and Flow Inlet Angle of Various Blade Positions at
Fixed Blade Position #8
U1

U2

Exit Absolute
Specific
Turbine
Effective
Velocity
Blade Work,
Power, P
Power, Peff
Component, C2u
Es (J/kg)
(W)
(W)
(m/s)
3.5604
4.6477
1.620
131.16
458.40
371.31
3.2446
4.2355
1.466
108.53
345.67
280.00
2.9186
3.8100
1.321
87.89
251.80
203.96
2.6096
3.4066
1.161
69.65
178.43
144.53
2.3396
3.0542
0.969
54.01
124.03
100.47
2.0476
2.6730
0.795
40.11
80.63
65.31
1.7573
2.2940
0.620
28.30
48.81
39.54
1.7369
2.2674
0.218
20.39
34.77
28.16
Table 1.14: Exit Velocity, Specific Blade Work, Turbine Power and Effective Power of Various Blade
Position at Fixed Blade Position #8

Radial Component
of Exit Velocity, C2r
(m/s)

Hydraulic
Power, Phyd
(W)

Exit Relative
Velocity, W2
(m/s)

Overall
Efficiency, o
(%)

Degree of
Reaction

Hydraulic
Power, Phyd (W)

Mechanical
Power, Pmech (W)

Efficiency,
(%)

447.01
83.06%
0.1058
742.04
140.53
18.94%
343.02
81.63%
0.1207
569.42
127.76
22.44%
254.13
80.26%
0.1356
421.85
114.98
27.26%
184.44
78.36%
0.1547
306.17
102.21
33.38%
133.90
75.03%
0.1851
222.27
89.43
40.24%
91.86
71.10%
0.2232
152.48
76.65
50.27%
59.86
66.05%
0.2722
99.36
63.88
64.29%
50.13
56.18%
0.3377
83.21
53.62
64.43%
Table 1.15: Hydraulic Power, Overall Efficiency, Degree of Reaction, Mechanical Power and
Efficiency of Various Blade Position at Fixed Blade Position #8

Sample Calculation
For
Blade position 0

Discussion
Refer to the graph 1, the effective power and mechanical power of the Francis turbine
against fixed blade at 1800 rpm and 2200 rpm have been shown. The trend of all the
graph lines are increasing until a certain value and then decreasing to a point. The
effective powers for both cases are lower than the mechanical powers of the turbine. This
is due to the calculation of mechanical power is not including the volume flow rate and
the blade efficiency and mechanical efficiency. The volume flow rate of water coming
out from the turbine after loss of energy is deducted from mechanical power is calculated,
the value getting is the effective power.
Refer to graph 2, the efficiency and overall efficiency of Francis turbine at 1800 rpm and
2200 rpm have been shown. The overall efficiency at 1800 rpm and 2200 rpm increase to
a certain value firstly and then decrease to a certain point while the efficiency at 1800
rpm and 2200 rpm show a decreasing trend. This is due to the blade position problem as
the blade opening is bigger, then water pressure will dop and this has cause the speed of
turbine runner decrease. The overall efficiency of turbine is calculated based on effective
power while the efficiency of turbine is calculated based on the mechanical power. Thus,
the efficiency and overall efficiency of Francis turbine decrease when the blade position
increases.
Refer to graph 3, the efficiency and overall efficiency of Francis turbine against the
degree of reaction of the turbine have been shown. Degree of reaction or reaction ratio (R)
is defined as the ratio of static pressure drop in the rotor to the static pressure drop in the
stage or as the ratio of static enthalpy drop in the rotor to the static enthalpy drop in the
stage. Degree of reaction (R) is an important factor in designing the blades of a turbine,
compressors, pumps and other turbo-machinery. It also tells about the efficiency of
machine and is used proper selection of machine for the required purpose. The efficiency
and overall efficiency decrease with the increasing of degree of reaction at 1800 rpm and
2200 rpm. This is due to the increasing pressure in rotor blade and cause the pressure at
the stator blade to be decreased. The rotor blade has large distribution of the total work
and thus, the degree of reaction increased.
The efficiency increased with the increasing of the degree of reaction while the overall
efficiency decreased with the increasing of the degree of reaction when the blade position
is fixed at number 8 with the different turbine speed. The static enthalpy decreases as the
stator blade is fixed at position 8. Thus, the pressure to turn the turbine decrease as the
turbine speed decrease. The hydraulic power will be decreased too when the turbine
speed decreased. This will cause the efficiency increased and as the degree of reaction
increased. When the speed of turbine decreased, the rotor blade will turn slower and the
volumetric flow rate increased. The effective power and hydraulic power of the turbine
decreased and hence the overall efficiency decreased.

Refer to graph 5, the efficiency and overall efficiency of the turbine against speed at the
fixed of position 8 have been shown. The effective power and mechanical power of the
turbine increased with the increasing of the speed of turbine. The effective power is
28.16W at 800 rpm has been increased to 371.31W at 2200 rpm. While the mechanical
power is 53.62W at 800 rpm has been increased to 140.53W at 2200 rpm. This has shown
that when increasing of the speed of turbine will turns the rotor blade faster and hence the
power generated will be increased too.
Errors and Precautions
There are some errors occur during this experiment. Firstly, the reading from uncalibrated electronic sensor change rapidly which has a hard time taking which an exact
reading, so we can only take the random readings that suitable. Next, the water that used
is not pure, which there are impurities in water, so the density is not same as pure water
as in theory. There are some leakages along the pipe. This will affect the reading values.
Besides that, the water bubbles exist throughout the pipe can cause the cavitation effect in
the turbine and this will reduce the head and local static pressure drop to the vapour
pressure level. The noise and vibration of the turbine will be produced because of the
cavitation effect. This will reduce the accuracy of the experiment. The vibration of the
pipe due to motor, pump and water flow will affect the accuracy of the result. Lastly,
there is minor loss due to friction inside the pipe.
There are some precautions needed in this experiment in order to reduce the errors.
Firstly, for accurate readings, make sure to take the readings after 3 minutes for the fluid
in stable condition. The readings should be taken for a few times in order to get the
average value. The electronic sensor used can be hooked up to a closed loop system that
feedback the result by adjusting the sampling rate of each parameter. Next, make sure the
water that being used is pure water. Make sure there are no leakages along the pipe.
Besides, a closed piping system should be installed where the output of the water directly
flow into the hydraulic bench instead of letting water being drained off from the piping
system. A damper as a good vibration absorber should be installed in order to reduce
vibration of the turbine. Lastly, we need to consider the minor loss due to friction inside
the pipe
Conclusion
Throughout this experiment, we get to know about the Francis turbine more by changing
the fixed blade position at 1800 rpm and 2200 rpm and also changing the speeds at fixed
blade position of 8. The result obtained has been tabulated and graphs have been plotted
to show the characteristic and performance of the Francis turbine.

PART 2
Title: Performance Test on Pelton Turbine (Impulse)
Objective:
To determine the operating characteristics of Pelton Turbine at various speed.
Introduction
Fluid is sent through the nozzle so that most of its available mechanical energy is
converted into kinetic energy in an impulse turbine. The bucket shaped vane is impinged
by the high speed jet that transfers the energy to the turbine shaft. Lester A. Pelton has
invented the modern and most efficient type of impulse turbine in 1878 and the rotating
wheel is now called a Pelton wheel in his honor.
The buckets of a Pelton wheel are designed so as to split the flow in half and turn the
flow nearly 180 around (with respect to a frame of reference moving with the bucket).
The splitter ridge shape has been modelled by Pelton after the nostrils of a cows nose. A
portion of the outermost part of each bucket is cut out so that the majority of the jet can
pass through the bucket that is not aligned with jet (bucket n+1in Figure 5) to reach the
most aligned bucket (bucket n in Figure 5). In this way, the maximum amount of
momentum from the jet is utilized.

Figure 5: Schematic diagram of a Pelton-type impulse turbine; the turbine shaft is

turned when high speed fluid from one or more jets impinges on buckets mounted
to the turbine shaft.
Theory

where

where

Result
Drum Radius, r

= 0.0261m

Water Head, h

= 4m

Specific Weight of Water, = 9785 N/m3

Part (A) Frequency, f =40 Hz
Load (N)
No

Torque,

Wheel

Angular

Mechanical

Speed, N

Velocity,

Power, Pm

T (Nm)

1 11.7 26.5 14.8

0.386

1043

109.267

42.208

7.7 20.5 12.8

0.334

1140

119.429

39.899

3 12.3 26.2 13.9

0.363

1188

124.457

45.152

8.0 22.4 14.4

0.376

1252

131.162

49.296

7.4 21.7 14.3

0.373

1290

135.143

50.439

7.6 21.4 13.8

0.360

1318

138.076

49.732

7.1 18.9 11.8

0.308

1364

142.895

44.009

8.6 20.7 12.1

0.316

1385

145.095

45.823

6.9 18.5 11.6

0.303

1413

148.029

44.817

10

7.4 18.5 11.1

0.290

1438

150.648

43.644

W1

W2

(rpm)

(W)

Table 2.1: Load, Torque, Wheel Speed, Angular Velocity and Mechanical Power
at frequency=40 Hz

No

Volume

Volume

Hydraulic

Flow Rate,

Flow Rate, Q

Power, Ph

Q (l/min)

(x

(W)

m /s)

Efficiency,
(%)

Hydraulic

Mechanical

Pressure,

Pressure,

Phyd (bar)

Pmech (bar)

22.3

3.72

54.551

77.4

0.9

2.4

21.9

3.65

53.573

74.5

1.0

2.4

21.2

3.53

51.861

87.1

1.1

2.4

20.8

3.47

50.882

96.9

1.2

2.4

20.4

3.40

49.904

101.1

1.3

2.4

20.3

3.38

49.659

100.1

1.4

2.5

19.8

3.30

48.436

90.9

1.5

2.5

19.2

3.20

46.968

97.6

1.6

2.5

18.9

3.15

46.234

96.9

1.7

2.5

10

18.6

3.10

45.500

95.9

1.8

2.5

Table 2.2: Volume Flow Rate, Hydraulic Power, Efficiency, Inlet and Outlet
Pressure at frequency=40 Hz
Part (B) Frequency, f =55 Hz
Weight of Load (N)
No
W1

W2

Torque, T
(Nm)

Wheel

Angular

Mechanical

Speed, N

Velocity,

Power, Pm

(rpm)

(W)

1 20.8 46.5

25.7

0.671

1388

145.410

97.536

2 15.2 37.8

22.6

0.590

1408

147.505

87.007

3 16.0 41.1

25.1

0.655

1508

157.981

103.495

4 18.0 44.5

26.5

0.692

1535

160.810

111.224

5 19.2 42.0

22.8

0.595

1593

166.886

99.310

6 21.4 44.8

23.4

0.611

1630

170.762

104.291

7 19.5 39.6

20.1

0.525

1702

178.305

93.540

8 21.4 42.3

20.9

0.545

1745

182.810

99.721

9 21.0 43.8

22.8

0.595

1777

186.162

110.781

10 22.0 45.6

23.6

0.616

1792

187.733

115.636

Table 2.3: Load, Torque, Wheel Speed, Angular Velocity and Mechanical Power
at frequency=55 Hz

No

Volume

Volume

Hydraulic

Flow Rate,

Flow Rate, Q

Power, Ph

Q (l/min)

(x

m /s)

(W)

Efficiency,
(%)

Hydraulic

Mechanical

Pressure,

Pressure,

Phyd (bar)

Pmech (bar)

53.2

8.87

130.141

74.9

1.5

4.2

52.7

8.78

128.917

67.5

1.6

4.2

51.9

8.65

126.960

81.5

1.7

4.2

51.3

8.55

125.493

88.6

1.8

4.2

50.5

8.42

123.536

80.4

1.9

4.2

50.1

8.35

122.557

85.1

2.0

4.2

49.7

8.28

121.579

76.9

2.1

4.2

49.3

8.22

120.600

82.7

2.2

4.2

48.9

8.15

119.622

92.6

2.3

4.2

10

48.8

8.13

119.377

96.9

2.4

4.2

Table 2.4: Volume Flow Rate, Hydraulic Power, Efficiency, Inlet and Outlet
Pressure at frequency=40 Hz

Graph of Torque against Wheel Rotational Speed (40 Hz)

0.400

Torque, T (N m)

0.380
0.360
0.340
0.320
0.300
0.280
1000

1050

1100

1150

1200

1250

1300

1350

1400

1450

1500

Wheel Rotational Speed, (rpm)

Figure 2.1:

Graph of Torque against Wheel Rotational Speed for f=40Hz

Graph of Volume Flow Rate against Wheel Rotational Speed

(40 Hz)
Volume Flow Rate, Q (x10^-4 m^3/s)

4.00
3.80
3.60
3.40
3.20
3.00
2.80
2.60
2.40
2.20
2.00
1000

1050

1100

1150

1200

1250

1300

1350

1400

1450

1500

Wheel rotational Speed, (rpm)

Figure 2.2:

Graph of Volume Discharged Rate against Wheel Rotational Speed

for f=40Hz

Graph of Power against Wheel Rotational Speed (40 Hz)

55.000
53.000

Power Output, P (W)

51.000
49.000
47.000
45.000
43.000
41.000
39.000
37.000
35.000
1000

1050

1100

1150

1200

1250

1300

1350

1400

1450

1500

Wheel Rotational Speed, (rpm)

Mechanical Power (W)

Figure 2.3:

Hydraulic Power (W)

Graph of Power against Wheel Rotational Speed for f=40Hz

Graph of Efficiency against Wheel Rotational Speed (40 Hz)

105.0
100.0

Efficiency, (%)

95.0
90.0
85.0
80.0
75.0
70.0
65.0
60.0
1000

1050

1100

1150

1200

1250

1300

1350

1400

1450

Wheel Rotational Speed, (rpm)

Figure 2.4:

Graph of Efficiency against Wheel Rotational Speed for f=40Hz

1500

Graph of Torque aginst Wheel Rotational Speed (55Hz)

0.700

Torque, T (N m)

0.650

0.600

0.550

0.500
1300

1400

1500

1600

1700

1800

1900

Wheel Rotational Speed, (rpm)

Figure 2.5:

Graph of Torque against Wheel Rotational Speed for f=55Hz

Volume Discharged Rate, Q (x10^-4 m^3/s)

Graph of Volume Flow Rate against Wheel Rotational Speed

(55Hz)
9.00
8.90
8.80
8.70
8.60
8.50
8.40
8.30
8.20
8.10
8.00
1300

1400

1500

1600

1700

1800

1900

Wheel rotational Speed, (rpm)

Figure 2.6:

Graph of Volume Discharged Rate against Wheel Rotational Speed

for f=55Hz

Graph of Power against Wheel Rotational Speed (55 Hz)

135.000
130.000

Power Output, P (W)

125.000
120.000
115.000
110.000
105.000
100.000
95.000
90.000
85.000
1300

1400

1500

1600

1700

1800

1900

Wheel Rotational Speed, (rpm)

Mechanical Power

Figure 2.7:

Hydraulic Power

Graph of Power against Wheel Rotational Speed for f=55Hz

Graph of Efficincy against Wheel Rotational Speed (55 Hz)

100.0
95.0

Efficiency, (%)

90.0
85.0
80.0
75.0
70.0
65.0
60.0
1300

1400

1500

1600

1700

1800

Wheel Rotational Speed, (rpm)

Figure 2.8:

Graph of Efficiency against Wheel Rotational Speed for f=55Hz

1900

Sample Calculation
Given
radius of drum brake,
specific weight of water,
pump frequency, f = 40Hz
Weight of load 1,
Weight of load 2,
Net load,

Torque,

Rotational speed of turbine,

Angular Velocity,

Mechanical power,

Volume flow rate,

Hydraulic power,

Turbine efficiency,

Discussion
By comparing both graph of torque, T against wheel rotational speed, , the graph
with frequency, f =55Hz (Figure 2.5) has higher torque range and wheel rotational speed
range as compared to f =40Hz (Figure 2.1). With the same wheel rotational speed, it is
found out that torque value for f =55Hz show higher readings as compared to f =40 Hz.
The machine pump rotates at higher frequency will pump higher volume of water,
asserting a greater force on the wheel. Since the magnitude of torque is directly
proportional to the force and the radius magnitude is constant, the greater force will lead
to greater torque. The greater force will push the wheel to rotate at a higher rotational
speed and give the graph with frequency, f =55Hz (Figure 2.5) a higher torque reading
range and wheel rotational speed range as compared to f =40Hz (Figure 2.1). Besides,
with the same rotational speed, the one with a higher machine pump frequency will
greater amount of water being pumped, asserting a greater force on the wheel and give
higher torque reading. Both graphs show linear decline of the torque reading with the rise
in wheel rotational speed but the torque values obtained are widely separated from the
line of best fit for f =55 Hz (Figure 2.5). This may due to some experimental errors.
Based on the research, it is found out that the expected graph of torque against wheel
rotational speed (Figure 2.9) should show a linear decline of torque value with the rise of
wheel rotational speed. The difference between the expected and experimental results
may due to errors in the experiments.

Figure 2.9:

The expected graph of torque against wheel rotational speed.

For graph of volume flow rate, Q against wheel rotational speed, , the volume flow
rate decrease with the rise of wheel rotational speed. The higher the speed of water
supply, the less amount of water flow out from the nozzle. This will cause the wheel to
have a higher rotational speed. Since the volume of water supply is less, the water flow
out also at lesser volume. Hence the volume flow rate will decrease with the increase in
the wheel rotational speed due to the reduction in the volume of water flow in. Volume
flow rate and wheel rotational speed for f =55Hz (Figure 2.6) show higher readings as
compare to the f =40 Hz (figure 2.2). The machine pump rotating at higher frequency will
lead to a rise in the volume of water pumped. Greater force will be exerted on the buckets

of the wheel by the higher volume of water supply and this will lead to an increase in the
wheel rotational speed. At the same time, volume flow rate will also increase as the
volume of water supplied is greater which cause the volume flow out also higher.
For graph of power, P against wheel rotational speed, , the hydraulic power has
higher readings as compared to mechanical power for both f =40 Hz and f =55Hz. The
mechanical power of the wheel is the power obtained due to the hydraulic power of the
water source. There is a possibility that the energy will experience losses when changes
from hydraulic to mechanical power such as frictional and sound power lost. Hence the
readings of the mechanical power show lower values as compared to the hydraulic power.
For f=40 Hz (Figure 2.3), the mechanical power line shows a quadratic curve with a
maximum value and curving upwards. This simply means that the power output will
increase with the rise of the wheel rotational speed. This will continue until it reach the
maximum mechanical power produced at the optimum rotational. Any further increase in
the wheel rotational speed will not lead to a rise in power output but a decrease. The
hydraulic power line shows a right part of quadratic curve which curve upward, starting
with the maximum power output and start to decrease.
Besides, it is also noticed that at =1275rpm, the hydraulic power will be converted to
the maximum amount of mechanical power, about 47.5W. For f=55 Hz (Figure 2.7), the
mechanical power line shows the left part of quadratic curve curving upward, starting
from the minimum power output and start to increase while the hydraulic power line
shows a right part of quadratic curve curving upward, starting with the maximum power
output and start to decrease. The wide deviation of points for mechanical points and the
line of best fit for f=55 Hz (Figure 2.7) are due to experimental errors. From the graph,
the optimum operational rotational speed whereby the maximum amount of mechanical
power obtained from the hydraulic power is about 1790 rpm, producing 108W. Based on
the research, it is found out that the expected graph of power output against wheel
rotational speed (Figure 2.10) should show a quadratic curve with the maximum value
with the rise of wheel rotational speed. The difference between the expected and
experimental results may due to errors in the experiments.

Figure 2.10: The expected graph of power output against wheel rotational speed.

For the graph of efficiency, against wheel rotational speed, , both graphs of f =40
Hz and f =55Hz show the front part of the quadratic curve which curve upward,
increasing from the minimum value to maximum value. At the maximum efficiency, this
is the time where it has the highest mechanical power to hydraulic power ratio. For graph
of f =40 Hz (Figure 2.4), it has the highest efficiency at =1400rpm of =97% and for
graph of f =55 Hz (Figure 2.8), it has the highest efficiency at =1790rpm of =91% In
general, the efficiency of the machine with f =40 Hz (Figure 2.4) is higher than graph of f
=55Hz (Figure 2.8) but there are unacceptable situation whereby the efficiency is higher
than 100% when the wheel rotational speed at 1290rpm and 1318rpm. This may be due to
some experimental errors. Based on the research, it is found out that the expected graph
of efficiency against wheel rotational speed (Figure 2.11) should show a quadratic curve
having a maximum value with the rise of wheel rotational speed. The difference between
the expected and experimental results may due to errors in the experiments.

Figure 2.11: The expected graph of efficiency against wheel rotational speed.
Experimental errors occur in the experiment leads to the deviation of the readings
obtained as compared to the expected results. The first error is the fluctuation of the
machines readings whereby when taking the readings of loads, the readings fluctuate and
the exact value of the loads readings are hard to obtain. This may be caused by the
vibration of the operating motor and water flow through the pipe. These vibration will
affect the sensors and cause the instruments readings to fluctuate. This leads to less
accurate net weight of load, torque and mechanical power readings. Besides, there is also
pipe leakage which may also contribute to the deviation of the experimental readings.
The zero errors also contribute to the experimental errors whereby the measuring
instrument show negative readings at the beginning of the experiment before the readings
are taken. The frictional force between the wheel and the wheel shaft also causes the
readings obtained to be less accurate. The old brake band unable to give a constant
friction with the wheel drum.

Errors and Precaution

There are some errors in the experiment and precaution steps are required to improve the
experimental results. First, the experiment should be carried out for a few more times and
the average readings are taken to improve the experimental result. The readings should
only be taken when they are stable to give more accurate experimental results. The
installation of the damper in motor and pump will minimise the system vibration.
Furthermore, new piping system should be designed with no leakages, smooth inner
piping and less bending, valves or other factors which will contribute to the minor head
losses and affect the hydraulic power obtained. Besides, the measuring instruments
should also be set zero before the readings are taken to avoid the zero errors. Furthermore,
the contact area between the wheel and its shaft should be lubricated frequently to ensure
the minimum amount of friction subjected which affect the experimental readings. The
brake band should be replaced to improve the experimental result. The adjusting knob
used for adjusting the turbine speed is loose and this will cause the value of impeller
speed cant be set accurately. The adjusting knob can be replaced by using a digital
control system to control the speed which can improve the accuracy of the readings.

Conclusion
The Pelton Turbine will show different operational characteristics when the machine
pump is operating at different frequencies and different hydraulic pressure. At higher
frequency, it will have higher wheel rotational speed, torque, volume flow rate and power
output but lower efficiency. At lower frequency, it will have lower wheel rotational speed,
torque, volume flow rate and power output but higher efficiency. Graph of torque,
volume flow rate, power output and efficiency against wheel rotational speed are drawn
for frequency, f=40Hz and 55Hz.

Extra Discussion
Characteristics

Pelton Turbine

Francis Turbine

Kaplan Turbine

Types of

Impulse turbine

Mixed impulse and

Reaction turbine

turbine
Application

reaction turbine
High pressure head

Medium pressure

Low pressure head

and low flow rate

head and flow rate

and large flow rates

(mountain

(hydroelectric with

(dams, tidal barrage)

hydroelectric)

medium head and

flow rate)

Fluid flow

Tangential flow

direction

(Radial/ Axial flow)

Number of

Absence

runner blade
Law of Newton

Mixed flow

Axial flow

More (16 to 24

Less (3 to 8 blades)

blades)
First, second

First, third

First, third

Easy

Difficult

Difficult

Absence

Presence

Presence

applied
Difficulty to
operate and
assemble
Presence of
draft tube

References
1. Pipe flow, Retrieved October 21, 2013, from
http://www.lth.se/fileadmin/tvrl/files/vvr120/13.pdf
2. Solteq Demonstration Pelton Turbine Model FM41, Retrieved October 21, 2013,
from http://www.solution.com.my/pdf/FM41(A4).pdf
3. Comparison of Pelton, Francis & Kaplan Turbine, Retrieved October 21, 2013,
from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0BLOKEZ3KU
4. Fluid Mechanics Tutorial No.8A Water Turbines, Retrieved October 21, 2013,
from http://www.freestudy.co.uk/fluid%20mechanics/t8a203.pdf
5. Wiki.answers.com. Difference between francis and kaplan turbines?.
Retrieved October 1, 2013, from
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Difference_between_francis_and_kaplan_turbines
6. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_turbine
7. Dr. Inzarulfaisham Abd Rahim. (2013) Buku Makmal EML 331/2 Makmal
Kejuruteraan II Sidang 2013-14. Pusat Pengajian Kejuruteraan Mekanik Kampus
Kejuruteraan USM.
8. Yunus A. Cengel, John M. Cimbala. (2010). Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals and
Applications. Americas, New York: McGraw Hill Higher Education (Asia).