Abstract Turbines are widely applied in the engineering field and can be considered a necessity in todays world.

Therefore, it is crucial to understand the processes involved and the effect of different working fluid flow rates on the turbine. The purpose of this experiment was to observe the variation of characteristic curves for a turbine operating at a range of fluid flow rates. The curves were compared and discussed.

1.0 Introduction A turbine is a rotary device used to generate work by extracting energy from fluid. There are two main types of turbines; impulse and reaction. A tangential force in the blades produced by fluid movement caused the runner to rotate. Due to this, useful work is produced. From the energy point of view, the energy from the fluid is effectively transferred to the turbine. Other than that, an important feature an impulse turbine is that there is no change in static pressure across the runner while in a reaction turbine, the static pressure decreases. An example of where turbines are employed is a steam power plant. 2.0 Theory A general relationship that can be applied in turbine analysis is based on the First Law of Thermodynamics. It involves a unit of mass of fluid flowing through a control volume (in this case the turbine): ( Where: ( ) )

For an incompressible fluid of constant density; Where: The relationship can then be further derived into turbine specific equation: ( Where: ) ( ) ( )

Alternatively, the equation can also be expressed in terms of head: ( ) ( ) ( )

Where:
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( For the purpose of this experiment, the fluid was assumed to be incompressible.

The process was monitored using a computer system. A schematic diagram of the turbine and its related variables can be seen below:

A schematic diagram of the system involved in the experiment

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3.0 Experimental Procedure The FM3su Turbine Service Unit consists of several parts; a water reservoir, a circulating pump and associated pipework. The model of the turbine used was FM31. We were introduced to the apparatus and its locations. Consequently, we were also shown how to handle the unit using a computer linked to it. The data reading was automatically recorded by the software. 1. The turbine throttle valve was closed and the pump was started under minimum load. 2. The valve was then opened fully to allow the water to circulate and disperse any trapped air bubbles. 3. We tightened the tensioning screw on the second pulley wheel until the turbine almost stalled. 4. In the diagram screen of the software, we started with zero brake force as our first point. 5. We then clicked GO. 6. An increment in brake force having a range between 0.1N to 0.3N was made by tightening the tensioning screw. 7. After the reading was steady enough, we clicked GO. 8. We checked the table screen of the software to make sure that the data was recorded. 9. Finally, we increased the brake force and repeated steps 5 to 9 up to about 4N of braking force.

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Part 1: Slave Pulley Part 2: Tensioning Screw Part 3: Slave Pulley Bracket Part 4: Turbine Pulley Part 5: Rotation Sensor Bracket Part 6: Mounting Bracket Part 7: Brake Belt Part 8: Tension Sensor 4.0 Data and Results 4.1 Results Table The results were automatically generated by the software and were printed directly. 4.2 Results Calculations The graphs were automatically plotted by the software and were printed directly. 5.0 Discussion Refer the next few pages for individual discussion.

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6.0 References 1. Yunus A. Cengel, John M. Cimbala, Fluid Mechanics: Fundamentals and Applications, Turbines, 2nd ed. in SI Units, McGraw-Hill Education, 2010. 2. Frank M. White, Fluid Mechanics, Turbines, 7th ed. in SI Units, McGraw-Hill Education, 2011. 3. World Wide Web, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbine, Turbine, Retrieved 26 April 2012.

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