Pelton Wheel

By:

Experiment #
Section:

Lab Instructor:

Submitted towards partial fulfillment of the requirements for

EXPERIMENTAL METHODS IN THE THERMAL SCIENCES
– Date of Submission

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Abstract:

In our world, Electricity is limited. If we’re consuming electricity in a bulk amount, we need to
generate new electricity as well. In order to generate electricity we need to analyze the resources
available and modify it, in order to get maximum output. The purpose of this lab is to measure
the power output of a Pelton wheel turbine due to which we can calculate the efficiency of the
turbine. The Pelton turbine converts the hydraulic energy of water into some mechanical energy.
When the jet of water strikes the bucket, the momentum of the jet transfers to bucket and the
bucket rotates. We measure the flow rate, angular velocity of bucket and spring forces, due to
which we can calculate the input and output power and calculate the efficiency of turbine and
compare it with theoretical results. As you can see that when the angular velocity in trial 1
increases from 7.37 rad/s to 19.42 rad/s, the torque of turbine decreases from 0.738 Nm to 0.369
Nm, because angular velocity and torque is inversely proportional to each other. The maximum
efficiency of turbine in trial 1 is 21% when the head of water is 8 m and maximum efficiency in
trial 2 is 22.5%, when the head is 12 m. The difference in experimental efficiencies is because of
difference in water head. The maximum theoretical efficiencies in trail 1 and trial 2 is 36% and
43% respectively which differ from experimental efficiencies because of frictional losses.

Objective:
The objective of this lab is to study the operation of Pelton turbine and also to determine
the efficiency and power output of the turbine.
Introduction:

In the experiment, we will study the operation of Pelton turbine and also to determine the
efficiency and power output of the turbine. Pelton Wheel Turbine is an impulse or a
constant pressure water turbine. Pelton wheel consists of a wheel called rotor. The rotor
of the turbine consists of circular disc with a number of double spoon shaped buckets
evenly distributed over the periphery. The water is the supplied from the reservoir. In
such type of Turbine available hydraulic energy of the water is converted into the kinetic
energy at atmospheric pressure by means of the nozzle. Each nozzle directs the jet along
a tangent to the circle through the centers of the buckets. Each bucket consists of a
splitter which divides the incoming jet in to two equal portions and after flowing round
the smooth inner surface of the bucket the water leaves with a relative velocity almost
opposite in direction to the original jet. The change in momentum of the water jet in
passing over the buckets exerts tangential force on the wheel causing it to rotate. Thus
converts the hydraulic energy into the mechanical energy by means of the shaft rotation.
We will measure the volume of water which is ejecting from the jet, bucket angular
velocity and spring force in order to find the flow rate and torque. So that we can
 calculate the input and output power and find the efficiency. Our aim is to find the best
condition i.e speed of jet, discharge and torque for Pelton turbine at which the turbine
gives the maximum efficiency.

Methods:

Theoretical Explanation:
Pelton turbine is an impulse turbine. Pelton works best where there is a high head of
water. If the speed of jet of water is high, the turbine wheel rotates fast and produces a
torque.
The turbine input can be determined by measuring the turbine inlet pressure and flow
rate:

Wi=Q ΔP= ρ g H Q --------------(1)

Where Q is the flowrate and Δp is the gage pressure at the turbine inlet.

Likewise, when the jet hits the Pelton Turbine’s bucket, the turbine output can be
calculated using the force, F, measured by a mechanical dynamometer, the dynamometer
radius, r, and the dynamometer angular velocity, ω:

Wo=F r ω -------------------------(2)

Where T is torque, T, is defined as T=F x r. Turbines are designed to work at maximum

efficiency at a particular value of pressure and speed.

Turbine efficiency, η, is defined as the ratio of turbine output power, 𝑊𝑜 to the required
input power, Wi:
 𝑾𝒐
η= --------------------------(3)
𝑾𝒊

To determine the effectiveness of a particular turbine, it is often helpful to compare

theoretical turbine efficiency values to values determined experimentally. Theoretical
efficiency can be found by calculating the theoretical output power from the jet:

Woth =Fx U --------------------(4)

Where m is the flow mass of water, U is the s peed Woth =Fx U

of the buckets, , V is the absolute fluid inlet velocity, and θ is the angle at which water
exits the bucket (approximately 150°).
Once the theoretical output power has been determined, one may determine the
theoretical efficiency as before:

ηoth = Woth / Wi -------------------(5)

Instrument Used:
In the experiment, we used stop watch to measure the time of flow, Stroboscope,
hydraulic bench and the Pelton wheel experimental setup.
Experimental Procedure:

Photo and Schematic of the Experimental Apparatus

Before starting the experiment you need to record the inside diameter of the pony brake
(db = 0.06 m) and diameter of turbine (dt=0.123m). After recording the diameters, switch
on the Hydraulics Bench pump(s) and fully open the bench regulating valve. Fully open
the spear regulator to produce maximum flow rate. Remove all weights and the weight
carrier and unhook the friction band from the Pelton wheel shaft. Observe the emerging
jet from the Pelton wheel and if required make an assessment of the angle between the
incident and emergent jets. Record the turbine inlet pressure p from the pressure gauge,
flow rate Q, by recording a change in Volume from the water meter and time t with a
stopwatch, Turbine speed ω (rpm) measured by focusing the stroboscope light (or
tachometer) on the location of the tape mark on the back of the Pelton Turbine, Left and
right dynamometer spring forces (N). Note that the net force is calculated by subtracting
the right force from the left. Regulate the applied torque by adjusting the electro-
magnetic brake torque. Repeat the procedure again and record the measurements for each
condition including the stalled condition, adjusting the brake by such that the net force
decreases by about 2N from 12 N for each trial until you have 6 or 7 readings.
Results and Discussion:
The purpose of this experiment is to study the operation of Pelton turbine and to find the
best condition i.e speed of jet, discharge and torque for Pelton turbine at which the
turbine gives the maximum efficiency. In the tables, we measure the volume of water,
angular velocity and force with the help of equipment. With the help we will calculate the
input and output power of the Pelton turbine due to which we can find the experimental
and theoretical efficiencies and compare the results.

Raw Data:
These are the diameter of the Pelton turbine. We calcite the diameter with the help of
tape.

db (m) 0.06
dt (m) 0.123

These are the reading with we taken in the lab. we measure the volume of water, angular
velocity and force with the help of equipment

(Trial 1):

These are the reading with we taken in the lab. we measure the volume of water, angular
velocity and force with the help of equipment

Test P(m) Volume Time ω(rpm) Left Right Net(N)=Left-

(L) (s) Spring(N) Spring(N) Right
1 8 20 44.57 442.6 18 6 12
 2 8 20 47.05 606.4 16 6 10
3 8 20 47.07 1035.6 11.5 4.5 8
4 8 20 48.25 1165.5 10 4 6
5 8 20 52.32 1356.3 7 3 4
6 8 20 45.57 1356.6 4 2 2

(Trial 2):
Test P(m) Volume Time ω(rpm) Left Right Net(N)=Left-
(L) (s) Spring(N) Spring(N) Right
1 12 20 37.7 1143.7 18 6 12
2 12 20 36.28 1378.9 15 5 10
3 12 20 37.55 1546.1 12 4 8
4 12 20 36.51 1692.4 9.5 3.5 6
5 12 20 37.30 1853.4 6.5 2.5 4
6 12 20 36.48 1997.2 4 2 2

Calculation and Analysis:

In the tables, we will calculate the input and output power of the Pelton turbine due to
which we can find the experimental and theoretical efficiencies and compare the results.

Calculation of Trial 1:
Test P(m) Flowrate Torqu ω Wi Wo η V U Woth ηth %age
(m3/s) e (rad/s) (Nm/s (m/s) (m/s) Error
(Nm) )
1 8 4.301x10- 0.738 7.37 33.75 5.439 16.1% 12.53 0.45 4.30 12.7% 21.1%
4
1
2 8 4.301x10- 0.615 10.10 33.75 6.215 18.4% 12.53 0.62 5.92 17.5% 4.8%
4
6 2
3 8 4.301x10- 0.492 17.26 33.75 8.491 21.5% 12.53 1.06 9.75 28.8% 12.5%
4
9
4 8 4.301x10- 0.369 19.42 33.75 7.169 21.2% 12.53 1.19 10.83 32.1% 33.9%
4
8
5 8 4.301x10- 0.246 22.60 33.75 5.560 16.5% 12.53 1.39 12.42 36.8% 55.1%
4
5 9
6 8 4.301x10- 0.123 22.60 33.75 2.780 8.2% 12.53 1.39 12.42 36.8% 77.7%
4
5 4
 Calculation of Trial 2:
Test P(m) Flowrate Torqu ω Wi Wo η V U Woth ηth %age
(m3/s) e (rad/s) (Nm/s) (m/s) (m/s) Error
(Nm)
1 12 5.41x10-4 0.738 19.06 63.68 14.06 22.1% 15.34 1.17 16.73 26.3% 15.9%

2 12 5.41x10-4 0.615 22.98 63.68 14.13 22.1% 15.34 1.41 19.82 31.1% 28.9%

3 12 5.41x10-4 0.492 25.76 63.68 12.67 19.8% 15.34 1.58 21.94 34.5% 42.6%

4 12 5.41x10-4 0.369 28.206 63.68 10.40 16.3% 15.34 1.73 23.76 26.7% 38.9%

5 12 5.41x10-4 0.246 30.89 63.68 7.59 11.9% 15.34 1.89 25.66 40.3% 70.4%

6 12 5.41x10-4 0.123 33.28 63.68 4.09 6.4% 15.34 2.04 27.39 43.0% 85.1%

Graph of Trial 1
0.8

0.6

0.4 Torque

0.2 η
ηth
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Angular Velociy

In the graph, you can see that as the angular velocity increases the toque decreases
because torque and angular velocity is inversely proportional to each other.
Graph of trial 2
0.8
0.6
0.4 Torque

0.2 η

0 ηth
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Angular Velocity

In the graph, you can see that as the angular velocity increases the toque decreases
because torque and angular velovity is inversely proportional to each other.

Analysis:
Pelton turbine is used in the area of high water head. If the head of water is low then the force
required to move the turbine wheel is not enough to rotate its wheels. The turbine works best
when the head of water is high. In the experiment, we provided a very low head that is, 8m and
12m due to which the efficiency of the turbine is less that is, 21.5% and 22.5% . So if we want to
install a Pelton turbine, we need to make sure that there must be a high head of water. Otherwise
the turbine doesn’t give you desired efficiency. As you can see that when the angular velocity in
trial 1 increases from 7.37 rad/s to 19.42 rad/s, the torque of turbine decreases from 0.738 Nm to
0.369 Nm, because angular velocity and torque is inversely proportional to each other. other. The
maximum efficiency of turbine in trial 1 is 21% when the head of water is 8 m and maximum
efficiency in trial 2 is 22.5%, when the head is 12 m. There is a difference between the
theoretical efficiency and the experimental efficiency. The main difference in efficiencies is
frictional effect. In theoretical calculation, we neglect the effect of friction but in experiment
friction plays a major in determining the efficiency. The difference in experimental efficiencies
is because of difference in water head. The maximum theoretical efficiencies in trail 1 and trial 2
is 36% and 43% respectively which differ from experimental efficiencies because of frictional
losses.

.
Conclusion:
In the lab we calculate the input and output power with the help of which we calculated
the efficiencies and compare the results with theoretical efficiencies. We saw when the
angular velocity in trial 1 increases from 7.37 rad/s to 19.42 rad/s, the torque of turbine
decreases from 0.738 Nm to 0.369 Nm because torque anf angular velocity is inversely
proportional to each other. The maximum efficiencies of turbine is 22.5% with differ
from the theoretical efficiency which is 43% because of friction. The friction plays a very
important part with we neglected in calculating theoretical efficiency. With the help of
lab we are now able to understand the operation of Pelton turbine and also to determine
the efficiency and power output of the turbine. The Pelton turbine works
best when we provide high head to the turbine. Due to which a great amount of torque
produced which rotates the shaft connected with the turbine and electrical energy is
produced.

References:
 The Genesis of Fluid Mechanics, 1640–1780 pp 453-492
 https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Fluid_Mechanics_Applications/B14:_Fluid_flow_i
n_turbine
 International Energy Agency (IEA). Key world energy statistics; 2012.
 http://s3.amazonaws.com/zanran_storage/www.fao.org/ContentPages/93784319.p
df (21-01-2015)
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelton_wheel
 https://people.rit.edu/rfaite/courses/tflab/Cussons/pelton/pelton.htm