Mass International

Preet Nagar, Ambala, Haryana

The Demonstration Pelton Turbine provides a simple low cost introduction to turbine performance.This accessory comprises a miniature Pelton wheel with spear valve arrangement mounted on a support frame which locates on the Hydraulics Bench top channel. Mechanical output from the turbine is absorbed using a simple friction dynamometer. Pressure at the spear valve is indicated on a remote gauge. A non-contacting tachometer (not supplied) may be used to determine the speed of the Pelton wheel.Basic principles of the Pelton turbine may be demonstrated and, with appropriate measurements, power produced and efficiency may be determined.

RANGE OF EXPERIMENTS

• Determining the operating characteristics, i.e. power, efficiency and torque, of a Pelton turbine at various speeds

UTILITIES REQUIRED

• Hydraulic Bench

This demonstration turbine provides a simple low cost introduction to the Francis inward flow reaction turbine showing its construction, operation and performance. A tapering, spiral shaped volute conveys water to the runner via a ring of guide vanes that are adjustable in angle to vary the flow through the turbine. Water enters the runner tangentially at the periphery, flows radially inwards through the blades towards the hub then exits axially via a draft tube. Power generated by the turbine is absorbed by a Prony friction brake consisting of a pair of spring balances attached to a brake belt that is wrapped around a pulley wheel driven by the runner. The load on the turbine is varied by tensioning both spring balances which increases the friction on the pulley wheel. Brake force is determined from the difference in the readings on the two spring balances and the torque calculated from the product of this force and the pulley radius. The head of water entering the turbine is indicated on a Bourdon gauge and the speed of rotation is measured using a non-contacting tachometer (not supplied). The volute of the Francis turbine incorporates a transparent front cover for clear visualisation of the runner and guide vanes.

RANGE OF EXPERIMENTS

• Determining the operating characteristics, i.e. power, efficiency and torque, of a Francis Turbine at various speeds and guide vane opening

UTILITIES REQUIRED

• Hydraulic Bench