Institute of Hydraulic Construction Engineering

SUBJECT DESCRIPTION
Subject code: VHSB029
Subject title: Hydraulic machines and hydropower plants
Credit value 6 ECTS, 160 hours: 84 contact hours, 76 student independent work hours.
Types of student learning activities
Classwork and tutorials
Hours
42
Lectures
18
Laboratory works
20
Practicums
2
Tutorials/consultations
2
Examination
Subject purpose
Study stage
First stage

Student independent work/self-study

Course project work
Preparation for laboratory works
Preparation for exam

Study program
Hydraulic engineering

Hours
32
12
32

Type of the subject

compulsory

Subject objectives: to provide knowledge about the pumps, pumping stations and hydropower
plants, to indoctrinate to fundamentals of design, construction, repair and maintenance works of
pumping stations and hydropower engineering.
Prerequisites: requires knowledge in mathematics, physics, hydraulics, hydrology, structural
mechanics.
Learning outcomes: Understanding the purpose of hydraulic machines, knowledge of their types
and operating principles; ability to estimate the hydraulic parameters and select the required
hydraulic machine (pump), to design pumping stations of various types. Understanding the
importance of alternative energy and role of hydropower in the energy system. Student will be able
to estimate the power capacity of the river and the potential electric energy production, to choose
the turbines and to design small hydropower station. Student will be able to apply the methods of
construction of hydropower plants and pumping stations, technical means and technologies and
management methods and quality assurance principles. Student will have possibilities use the
normative documents and specialized computer programs in design process of pumping stations
and hydropower plants.
Assessment criteria of learning outcomes:
1. The understanding and using of the major concept of the studding subject;
2. The assimilate of knowledge described in studding results;
3. The applying of knowledge in simple situations;

4. Quality of self-depended works, the formulation of conclusion and summation;

5. Quality of performance of laboratory works and the ability to formulate clearly
conclusions.
6. Additional literary independent study.
Subject content:
Lectures: 42/32 h. (contact hours/student independent work hours)
1. Pumps and pumping stations
1.1. Introduction, general information about pumps 3/2 h.
1.2. Classification of pumps, main producers of pumps 2/3 h.
1.3 Centrifugal pumps, the classification of centrifugal pumps, parallel and sequential work of
centrifugal pumps 4/3 h.
1.4. Power of centrifugal pumps, efficiency, cavitation, proportionality and similarity equations of
the centrifugal pumps 4/2 h.
1.5. Other types of pumps and their uses in water engineering 4/3 h.
1.6. General knowledge of the pumping station: drainage, irrigation, water supply and sewage
pumping stations 4/3 h.
2. Hydropower plants
2.1. Hydropower resources of the world and Lithuania 3/2 h.
2.2. Fundamentals of hydropower, evaluation of head and flow 4/3 h.
2.3. Calculations of streamflow and energy production 4/3 h.
2.4. Hydraulic turbines, their types, selection of turbines. Specifications of turbines, control of
turbines. Generators and other equipment in hydropower plants 4/3 h.
2.5. Components and constructions of hydropower plants. Hydropower plant development. 4/2 h.
2.6. Technical and economic indicators of hydropower plants 2/3 h.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

1.
2.

3.
4.
5.

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Laboratory works: 18/ 12 h (contact hours/student independent work hours)

Types of pumps, main parts of the vane pumps, construction of pumps 3/2 h.
Centrifugal pump and pipeline characteristics 3/2 h.
Parallel and sequential work of two centrifugal pumps 3/2 h.
Types and construction of pumping stations 3/2 h.
Types and construction of turbines 3/2 h.
Types of hydropower plants, their composition schemes 3/2 h.
Practicums: 20/ 10 h. (contact hours/student independent work hours)
Pump performance in dependence on the speed 2 h.
The schemes of pumping stations 2 h.

Estimation of parameters of pumping station 2 h.

Types of pumps and engines, their selection 2 h.
Pipes in pumping station 2 h.

Calculation of streamflow 2 h.
Calculation of energy production 2 h.
Selection of hydroelectric aggregates 2 h.
Estimation of technical indicators 2 h.
Estimation of economic indicators 2 h.

Topics for the course project: Project of pumping station and small hydropower plant - 32
hours of student independent work.

Methods of learning:
Lectures material is visualized using multimedia, slides, posters. Laboratory work is done in
groups. Work performance is mandatory. Work performed in the laboratory of Hydraulic
machines. Laboratory works and practicum descriptions are in electronic database that is freely
available to students. There will also be used for innovative approaches that are geared to students'
creativity and general and specific skills development: debate, discussion, expert method, students
presentation method, group work, case study, real problems of student projects in hydraulic
machines.
Assessment methods of student learning outcomes: For learning outcomes assessment a
cumulative system is applied. By defence of laboratory work and coursework and examination will
test students' achievements by subject of study results and guided by the criteria.
Structure and terms of cumulative assessment
Types of students independent work
Weight score
Deadlines of assessment
Exam
0,6
At the end of semester
Course work
0,2
14th week
Laboratory works
0,2
20th week
Interaction between study programme learning outcomes and learning methods and methods of
student learning outcomes assessment
Study programme
learning outcomes

Application of civil
engineering methods
and technologies in
planning, design,
management and
operation of water
engineering structures
and systems

Subject learning outcomes

Learning methods

Knowledge of hydraulic Lectures, case

analysis, the visual
machines, their
material.
application to water
supply, sewerage,
drainage and irrigation
systems, knowledge of
the hydraulic system
parameters: flow rate,
hydraulic losses.
Knowledge of
renewable energy
sources and their
significance; concept of
the role of hydropower
in the Lithuanian power
system. The capability
to estimate hydraulic
parameters at the
selected river section.
Knowledge about
standard documents
defining the
pumping and
hydropower projects

Assessment methods of
student learning outcomes
Knowledge testing in the
exam, discussion with
lecturer.

Lectures, exercise
work, analysis of
literature.

Knowledge testing in exam,

presentation of problematic
cases, practicum
performance presentation
and defence.

Lectures, exercise
work, analysis of
the regulatory
literature.

Knowledge testing in exam,

the presentation and
defence of results of
practicum, formulation of
conclusions.

Required literature references for subject study:

1. Karasik I.J., Krutzsh W.H. Pump handbook.- New York Megraw Hill Book Company,
1986.
2. Rishel, James Burst. Water pumps and pumping systems : [water/wastewater treatment
applications] / James B.(Burt) Rishel. - New York, N.Y., etc. : McGraw-Hill, 2002.
3. Harvey, Andy. Brown, Andy, Hettiarachi, Priyantha, Inversin, Allen, Micro-hydro design
manual : a guide to small-scale water power schemes / by Adam Harvey with Andy Brown,
Priyantha Hettiarachi, and Allen Inversin.: Intermediate Technology Publications, 2006.
4. Fraenkel P. et al. Micro-Hydro Power. A Guide for development workers - Intermediate
Technology Publications in association with the Stockholm Environment Institute, 1991.
5. Warnick C.C. Hydropower engineering.-London, Pretice Hall, 1984.
Recommended literature references for subject study:
1. Novak P., Moffat et al. Hydraulic Structures. Third edition.-London, Tailor and Francis
Group, UK,- 2001.
2. Renewable energy. Data book. US Department of energy. 2010.
3. Laymens guidebook on how to develop a small hydro plant. A handbook prepared under
contract for the Commission of the European Communities, Directorate-General for Energy
by European Small Hydropower Association (ESHA). 1998. - 266 p.

Coordinating teacher: assoc. prof. dr. Antanas Vanseviius

Author of the subject description: lect. Alvydas ibas
Reviewers:
assoc. prof. Algirdas Radzeviius
Reviewer of the faculty: assoc. prof. A. Pataius
Approval at department/Institute: 22 February 2012, Minute No. 5.
Approval at program committee: 28 May 2012, Minutes No.4.
Subject description valid until: 31 August 2014.