DOCSLIB.ORG

Some Dam – Hydro News

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Some Dam – Hydro News SSoommee DDaamm –– HHyyddrroo NNeewwss and Other Stuff i 1/02/2009 Quote of Note: “Washington DC is to lying what Wisconsin is to cheese.” - - Dennis Miller “No nation was ever drunk when wine was cheap.” - - Thomas Jefferson Ron’s wine pick of the week: Rosemont “Diamond Label” Shiraz 2006 OOtthheerr SSttuuffffff::: (There’s an easy solution to this problem. If the City agrees to all liabilities should an accident occur, then the area can be open to the public.) By Kate Ramunni, 12/23/2008, ConnPost.com SHELTON -- The owner of the Shelton Canal Co. is again appealing to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to relocate the portion of his property that is open to the public. As part of the company's license, and as a condition of the zoning approval it received more than two decades ago, a portion of the property at the end of Canal Street must be open to the public for recreation. It has over the years been used for fishing. McCallum Industries co-owner Joseph Szarmach has filed a request for another hearing on the issue, a month after FERC reversed its initial approval of the relocation. That action came after the state Department of Environmental Protection appealed the initial approval. "We are going through this process to amend our license because it is standard procedure; however, we continue to believe it is our right to close the canal area due to safety concerns," Szarmach said, most notably its proximity to the dam. "The DEP, at the city's urging, is advocating full and unfettered access to a pool of water into which we dump 34,000 gallons of water per second," Szarmach said. "We believe this is reckless." He also believes that the city is trying to crowbar him into keeping the canal as privately owned public open space, he said, particularly for the hundreds of residents who will be living in the new housing being built as part of the Canal Street redevelopment project. Szarmach had previously planned on filling and developing the canal in order to raise the funds for a $2 million fish ladder the DEP is requiring him to install at the dam. "We understand the city wants our property to be an undeveloped amenity for the Canal Street developer's new residents and will do and say anything to make that happen," he said. Szarmach has outlined his objections to city official's actions in a blog at www.stopabusivegovernment.org. It's not a matter of an abuse of power, but a desire for McCallum to uphold an agreement struck years ago, said Planning and Zoning Commission member Leon J. Sylvester, who was chairman of the commission when the canal approval was granted to Szarmach's grandfather. "We made the deal years ago that the area would be open to the public for access to the river," he said. "I don't know why he is trying to create the idea that this is abuse," Sylvester said. "This is a deal that was struck openly and received well with his grandfather -- he was happy with it and we were happy with it." Szarmach has contended that the zoning approval isn't legally enforceable. Zoning Administrator Rick Schultz has requested an opinion from the city's corporation counsel. Neither Schultz nor City Attorney Tom Welch could be reached for comment Tuesday. 1 Copy obtained from the National Performance of Dams Program: http://npdp.stanford.edu DDaammss (Buffalo Creek Dam Failure 2-26-1972 - The following web page is worth your attention: http://www.herald-dispatch.com/multimedia/galleries/news/x1107815709/Gallery-The-Buffalo- Creek-Flood) The photos are mostly black and white which is a stark reminder of the125 people that lost their lives, the 1,100 injured and the 4,000 left homeless. (Pretty messy stuff that steam plant sludge) Aerial footage: TVA storage pond breach in Harriman December 22, 2008, knoxnews.com Footage shot from a helicopter of the area affected by the TVA pond breach. http://www.knoxnews.com/videos/detail/aerial-footage-tva-storage-pond-breach-harriman/ (There’s an old axiom. If you’re going to learn something the hard way, it’s best that no one loses their life when you get a wake up call. P.S. In the last Newsletter, I mentioned that TVA had a similar failure in the 1960’s. My memory failed me and I apologize to TVA. The failure I recalled actually was on the Clinch River in 1967 when a fly ash containment pond failed at an Appalachian Power Company coal-fired power plant near Carbo, VA. An interesting note on that earlier failure - the failed dam was designed by one of world’s most famous geotech engineers.) Sludge spill stirs concerns in Kentucky By Cassondra Kirby Mullins, Lexington Herald-Leader, Dec. 24, 2008 A day after a massive coal sludge break in Tennessee covered hundreds of acres in ashy waste, Kentucky environmentalists and leaders said they will continue pushing for legislation to require emergency action plans in case of similar failures in their state. Monday's break in Tennessee released millions of yards of dark gray mud that toppled power lines, covered roads and railroad tracks and ruptured a gas line, according to The Associated Press. No one was seriously hurt. The break occurred at a retention pond used by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The pond held the ash generated by the coal-burning Kingston Steam Plant in Harriman, about 50 miles west of Knoxville. The break occurred at a retention pond used by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The pond held the ash generated by the coal-burning Kingston Steam Plant in Harriman, about 50 miles west of Knoxville. "This event in Tennessee should remind our legislators that the public is at serious risk," said Stephanie McSpirit, an associate professor of sociology at Eastern Kentucky University. "People living downstream from these types of impoundments need to be protected. Maybe this will be our final wake-up call." Kentucky doesn't require emergency plans for its coal-company impoundments, where a break could kill people or cause significant damage to facilities such as schools and power substations, nor does it require such plans for nearly 400 water dams in the state that are rated as high or moderate hazards. Environmentalists and Kentucky legislators began pushing to develop a system of monitoring such structures, as well as notifying residents when a break occurred, after a massive spill in Martin County in October 2000. Then, more than 300 million gallons of thick slurry broke through an impoundment near Inez, flooding miles of creeks, rivers and bottomland with black sludge. No one was killed, but wildlife suffered and water systems as far away as Ashland were threatened. While Martin County residents were upset about the damage to water supplies and fish from the spill, they also told a student-faculty research team from EKU, which was lead by McSpirit, that they should have received notice that the sludge was headed their way. The spill began an effort to require emergency action plans for Kentucky, even though the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration has recommended such plans for coal-slurry and water impoundments since 1994. 2 Copy obtained from the National Performance of Dams Program: http://npdp.stanford.edu In addition, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and dam-safety experts for years have urged plans for all high- and moderate-hazard dams. Dam-safety advocates say it's just common sense to make plans in case a dam fails. "It is just a basic public-safety measure, especially given what has happened in Tennessee and Martin County and other places," McSpirit said. "Even in the Cumberland area and the Wolfe Creek Dam there, we have an issue with aging infrastructure and the people need to be protected." But legislation proposed during the past two sessions to require such plans in Kentucky have failed. One potential issue with the proposals has been the cost to dam owners. Detailed mapping of the area that could be flooded in a dam break would require engineering work, Hank List, deputy secretary of the Energy and Environment Cabinet, said Tuesday. "There would be a sizable cost to all owners, from coal companies that own slurry impoundments, as well as local governments and farm owners," List said. "Nobody opposes the need for such a plan, but nobody could produce the thousands of dollars it would take." However, state Sen. Ray Jones II, D-Pikeville, who filed a resolution during the last legislative session requiring emergency plans, said he will continue working with lawmakers in the next session to come up with a consensus. "What eventually will happen, I'm afraid, is we will have a catastrophic failure, whether it be a coal slurry impoundment or a water dam, and at the present time we don't have a plan in place to handle it," Jones said. Jones said many people live in communities with slurry impoundments and don't even realize it. According to the Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement, there are 113 impoundments for slurry or water at coal operations in Kentucky, 91 of them rated as either a high or a significant hazard. In addition, there are 1,064 dams in Kentucky that the state inspects. Of those, 395 are high- or moderate-hazard dams. The dams have a range of owners, including cities and government agencies, home owners' associations, golf courses and farmers. The state Department for Natural Resources says none of the coal impoundments is in imminent danger of failing.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Exploring Design, Technology, and Engineering
    Exploring Design, Technology, & Engineering © 2012 Chapter 21: Energy-Conversion Technology—Terms and Definitions active solar system: a system using moving parts to capture and use solar energy. It can be used to provide hot water and heating for homes. anode: the negative side of a battery. cathode: the positive side of a battery. chemical converter: a technology that converts energy in the molecular structure of substances to another energy form. conductor: a material or object permitting an electric current to flow easily. conservation: making better use of the available supplies of any material. electricity: the movement of electrons through materials called conductors. electromagnetic induction: a physical principle causing a flow of electrons (current) when a wire moves through a magnetic field. energy converter: a device that changes one type of energy into a different energy form. external combustion engine: an engine powered by steam outside of the engine chambers. fluid converter: a device that converts moving fluids, such as air and water, to another form of energy. four-cycle engine: a heat engine having a power stroke every fourth revolution of the crankshaft. fuel cell: an energy converter that converts chemicals directly into electrical energy. gas turbine: a type of engine that creates power from high velocity gases leaving the engine. heat engine: an energy converter that converts energy, such as gasoline, into heat, and then converts the energy from the heat into mechanical energy. internal combustion engine: a heat engine that burns fuel inside its cylinders. jet engine: an engine that obtains oxygen for thrust. mechanical converter: a device that converts kinetic energy to another form of energy.
    [Show full text]
  • Horizontal Axis Water Turbine: Generation and Optimization of Green Energy
    International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 13, Number 5 (2018) pp. 9-14 © Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com Horizontal Axis Water Turbine: Generation and Optimization of Green Energy Disha R. Verma1 and Prof. Santosh D. Katkade2 1Undergraduate Student, 2Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sandip Institute of Technology & Research Centre, Nashik, Maharashtra, (India) 1Corresponding author energy requirements. Governments across the world have been Abstract creating awareness about harnessing green energy. The The paper describes the fabrication of a Transverse Horizontal HAWT is a wiser way to harness green energy from the water. Axis Water Turbine (THAWT). THAWT is a variant of The coastal areas like Maldives have also been successfully Darrieus Turbine. Horizontal Axis Water Turbine is a turbine started using more of the energy using such turbines. The HAWT has been proved a boon for such a country which which harnesses electrical energy at the expense of water overwhelmingly depends upon fossil fuels for their kinetic energy. As the name suggests it has a horizontal axis of electrification. This technology has efficiently helped them to rotation. Due to this they can be installed directly inside the curb with various social and economic crisis [2]. The water body, beneath the flow. These turbines do not require complicated remote households and communities of Brazil any head and are also known as zero head or very low head have been electrified with these small hydro-kinetic projects, water turbines. This Project aims at the fabrication of such a where one unit can provide up to 2kW of electric power [11].
    [Show full text]
  • Design, Performance and Maintenance of Francis Turbines
    Global Journal of Researches in Engineering Mechanical and Mechanics Engineering Volume 13 Issue 5 Version 1.0 Year 2013 Type: Double Blind Peer Reviewed International Research Journal Publisher: Global Journals Inc. (USA) Online ISSN: 2249-4596 Print ISSN:0975-5861 Design, Performance and Maintenance of Francis Turbines By Hermod Brekke Abstract - The aim for turbine design is to increase the efficiency and avoid cavitation and fractures during operation. A brief discussion on a the design philosophy during the last 60 years with will be presented. The structural design has moved from castings and riveted plates to fully fabricated structures of high tensile strength steel in the stationary parts and stainless 13/4 Cr/Ni or 16/5 (17/4) Cr/Ni steel have substituted the 13/1 Cr/Ni in runners. The paper also includes an ancient runner design with plate steel blades moulded in cast steel at crown and band. Such high head runners, put in operation in 1950, hve been in operation in good condition Norway until about 15 years ago. A discussion on stress analyses and fatigue problems of pressure loaded parts and high frequency fatigue in runners, will be presented GJRE-A Classification : FOR Code: 290501 Design, Performance and Maintenance ofFrancis Turbines Strictly as per the compliance and regulations of : © 2013. Hermod Brekke. This is a research/review paper, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution- Noncommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/), permitting all non commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
    [Show full text]
  • Hydropower Team Trip Report (June 18-20, 2003)
    APPENDIX A.3 Hydropower Team Trip Report (June 18-20, 2003) UPPER SAN JOAQUIN RIVER BASIN STORAGE INVESTIGATION - PHASE 1 HYDROPOWER ANALYSIS TRIP REPORT - SITE VISITS TO RETAINED SITES June 18 – 20, 2003 INTRODUCTION This field trip report was prepared to document on-site data collection activities in support of an appraisal-level hydropower evaluation of surface storage options under consideration in the Phase 1 Upper San Joaquin River Basin Storage Investigation. As part of Task 1, Data Collection, field trips were made to three potential Temperance Flat dam locations on the San Joaquin River at river mile (RM) 274, RM 279, RM 286; and at two potential dam sites for off-steam storage reservoirs at Fine Gold Creek and Yokohl Creek. Field trips were also made to the Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and Southern California Edison (SCE) hydroelectric facilities likely to be impacted by dams at RM 274, RM 279 and RM 286. The PG&E facilities included Wishon Powerhouse, Kerckhoff Dam, Kerckhoff No: 1 Powerhouse and Kerckhoff No: 2 Powerhouse. The SCE facilities included Big Creek No: 4 Powerhouse, Redinger Dam and Big Creek No: 3 Powerhouse. The PG&E and SCE facilities are all located on the San Joaquin River. Potential dam locations and existing PG&E and SCE facilities were visited as follows: Wednesday, June 18, 2003: RM 286, Big Creek No: 4 Powerhouse, Redinger Dam, Big Creek No: 3 Powerhouse, and Fine Gold Creek. Thursday, June 19, 2003: Kerckhoff Dam, Wishon Powerhouse, Kerckhoff No: 1 Powerhouse, Kerckhoff No: 2 Powerhouse, and Yokohl Creek.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparative Performance Evaluation of Pelton Wheel and Cross Flow Turbines for Power Generation
    EUROPEAN MECHANICAL SCIENCE Research Paper e-ISSN: 2587-1110 Comparative Performance Evaluation of Pelton Wheel and Cross Flow Turbines for Power Generation Oyebode O. O.1* and Olaoye J. O.2 1Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria. 2Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. ORCID: Oyebode (0000-0003-1094-1149) Abstract The performance of two micro hydro power turbines (Pelton Wheel and Cross Flow Turbines) were evaluated at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) dam. The Dam has a net head of 4 m, flow rate of 0.017m3 and theoretical hydropower energy of 668W. The two turbines were tested and the optimized value of operating conditions namely; angle of inclination (15o above tangent, tangential and 15o below tangent), height to impact point (200mm, 250mm and 300mm) and length to impact point (50mm, 100mm and 150mm) were pre-set at their various levels for both Turbines. The optimum values of the process output or measured parameters were determined statistically using a 33X2 factorial experiment in three replicates. An optimum Turbine speed (538.38rpm) in off load condition was achieved at 250mm height to impact point, 150mm length to impact point and angle at tangential inclination. Similar combination also yielded an optimum turbine torque of 46.16kNm for Pelton Wheel Turbine. For the Crossflow Turbine, an optimum turbine speed of 330.09rpm was achieved by pre-setting 250mm height to impact point, 100mm length to impact point and 15º below tangent. Same combination also yielded an optimum turbine torque of 39.07kNm.
    [Show full text]
  • Harvesting Energy from In-Pipe Hydro Systems at Urban and Building Scale
    International Journal of Smart Grid and Clean Energy Harvesting energy from in-pipe hydro systems at urban and building scale Marco Casini * Department of Planning, Design, and Technology of Architecture (PDTA), Sapienza University of Rome, Via Flaminia 72, 00196 – Rome, Italy Abstract In addition to photovoltaic and wind systems, nowadays in-pipe water to wire power systems are becoming particularly interesting for the integration of renewable resources at urban and building scale because of the potential to harness clean energy from excess head pressure in urban and domestic water pipelines. Able to operate across a wide range of head and flow conditions, these particular micro hydro power systems can be deployed in municipalities, energy-intensive industries and agricultural irrigation districts providing a consistent amount of clean and continuous energy without the typical intermittency of wind and solar and at the same time helping in pipelines management and maintenance. The article presents an overview of the different types of in-pipe hydro systems available on the market and illustrates their possible applications at the urban and building scale and the benefits achievable in terms of energy production compared to other renewable such as photovoltaic and wind systems. Keywords: In-pipe hydro systems, energy harvesting, renewable energy, small hydro, building integrated renewable energy, renewable energy at urban scale, distributed energy 1. Introduction Hydropower is a mature and cost-competitive renewable energy source that plays a strategic essential role in XXI century electricity mix, contributing to more than 16% of electricity generation worldwide (more than 3500 TWh) and about 85% of global renewable electricity [1], [2].
    [Show full text]
  • Turbine Wheel-A Hydropower Converter for Head Differences
    University of Southampton Research Repository ePrints Soton Copyright © and Moral Rights for this thesis are retained by the author and/or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder/s. The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given e.g. AUTHOR (year of submission) "Full thesis title", University of Southampton, name of the University School or Department, PhD Thesis, pagination http://eprints.soton.ac.uk School of Civil Engineering and the Environment Turbine wheel - a hydropower converter for head differences between 2.5 and 5 m Ph.D Thesis Helmizar Supervisors: Dr.Gerald Müller February 2016 2 CONTENTS Academic Thesis: Declaration Of Authorship ......................................................................... 18 Acknowledgments.................................................................................................................... 19 Abstract .................................................................................................................................... 20 Chapter 1 .................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Small Michell (Banki) Turbine: a Construction Manual
    Pr;\ "- DISPLAY COPY - DO NOT REMOVE SMALL MICHELL (BANKI) TURBINE: A CONSTRUCTION MANUAL by W. R. BRESLIN TIMBDERGATE GENERATOR TURBINE TAIL.WATER j~~ji# SMALL MICHELL (BANKI) TURBINE: A CONSTRUCTION MANUAL Published by VOLUNTEERS IN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 3706 Rhode Island Avenue Mt. Rainier, Maryland 20822 USA ', This book is one of a series of manuals on renewable energy technologies. It is primarily intended for use by people in international development projects. The construction techniques and ideas presented here are, however, useful to anyone seeking to become energy self-sufficient. SMALL MICHELL (BANKI) TURBINE: A CONSTRUCTION MANUAL I. WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR ............... 1 II. DECISION FACTORS ............................... 3 3 AdvantagesConsiderations ....................................... ................................... 3 Cost Estimate .................................... 3 Planning ......................................... 4 III. MAKING THE DECISION AND FOLLOWING THROUGH ........ 5 IV. PRE-CONSTRUCTION CONSIDERATIONS .................. 7 Site Selection ................................... 8 Expense .......................................... 10 Alternating or Direct Current .................... 12 Applications ..................................... 12 Materials ........................................ 15 Tools ......................... .. ... ....... .. 16 V. CONSTRUCTION ................ .. 17 Prepare the End Pieces ........................... 17 Construct the Buckets ............................ 21 Assemble
    [Show full text]
  • An Analysis of the Potential of Hydroelectric Power in Kentucky
    An Analysis of the Potential of Hydroelectric Power in Kentucky A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the College of Science and Technology Morehead State University In Partial Fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Master of Science Morehead State University by Terry White June 15, 2007 J T\ ) VI ~ I rlC-.)C:-} 3 3 3. 9 /'-; W 5 880..; Accepted by the faculty of the College of Science and Technology, Morehead State University, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science degree. l'lLJ z~rJ <11'i Director of Thesis Master's Committee: A ~~ ZQ rf e:Jr/ , Chair u Date An Analysis of Hydroelectric Power in Kentucky Terry White Morehead State University 2007 Director of Thesis: J:J/1'11 t1-J. zar 1CK ft J ABSTRACT Problem Statement The research presented in this thesis attempted to explore the possible use of hydropower as an alternative energy resource for the local area of Morehead, Kentucky and for the state of Kentucky in order to provide a possible alternative to the continued dependence on fossil fuels. This study attempted to analyze the potential energy of hydropower if it were implemented at the Triplett Creek Dam, the Cave Run Lake Dam, and at a total of various sites across the state of Kentucky. Methodology The researcher utilized different methods of analysis to address each of the four research questions. The first step in the assessment of the potential of a hydroelectric system was to determine the amount of obtainable power at all of the potential sites.
    [Show full text]
  • Water Turbines Gunt
    Hydraulic fl uid energy machines 5 Water turbines gunt Basic knowledge Water turbines Basic principles of water turbines Characteristics of water turbines Water turbines are mainly used in power plants to generate Depending on the location of the energy conversion a distinction The specifi c speed nq is the most important characteristic for water turbines. It is a measure of the ratio of water velocity to rota- electrical energy. To this end, river barrages or dams use the is made between: tional speed. A distinction is made between low-speed turbines, where the water velocity is signifi cantly higher than the peripheral gravitational potential energy of the dammed water, also known Action turbine: All of the potential energy is converted into speed, and high-speed turbines, where the situation is reversed. as pressure energy. One special application is the use in pumped velocity in the fi xed distributor. There is no pressure gradient storage power plants. In times of low electricity demand an between the rotor inlet and the rotor outlet. The fl ow is only elevated storage reservoir is fi lled with water by means of defl ected in the rotor. √Q electrically driven pumps. When electricity demand is higher, n = n · Example: Pelton turbine q 3/4 the reservoir is drained and additional electricity generated by H water turbines. Reaction turbine: The potential energy is converted partly in the distributor and partly in the rotor. In the rotor there is a pres- Water turbines are turbomachines. They convert the potential sure difference between inlet and outlet. The fl ow is defl ected Here, n is the rotational speed, Q the fl ow rate and H the head of the water turbine.
    [Show full text]
  • Past and Future of Water Turbines in Romania Sanda-Carmen Georgescu, Andrei-Mugur Georgescu, Radu Mircea Damian, Jean-Luc Achard
    Past and future of water turbines in Romania Sanda-Carmen Georgescu, Andrei-Mugur Georgescu, Radu Mircea Damian, Jean-Luc Achard To cite this version: Sanda-Carmen Georgescu, Andrei-Mugur Georgescu, Radu Mircea Damian, Jean-Luc Achard. Past and future of water turbines in Romania. 5th International Water History Association Conference on Pasts and Futures of Water, IWHA 2007, Jun 2007, Tampere, Finland. 10.13140/2.1.2133.9207. hal-00267699 HAL Id: hal-00267699 https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00267699 Submitted on 13 Apr 2020 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution| 4.0 International License Past and future of water turbines in Romania Sanda-Carmen Georgescu1*, Andrei-Mugur Georgescu2, Radu Mircea Damian2, Jean-Luc Achard3 1) Hydraulics Department, University “Politehnica” of Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, sector 6, RO-060042, Bucharest, Romania 2) Hydraulic & Environmental Prot. Dept, Technical Civil Engineering University Bucharest, 124 Bd Lacul Tei, sector 2, RO-020396, Bucharest, Romania 3) Laboratoire des Écoulements Géophysiques et Industriels de Grenoble, B.P. 53, 38401, Grenoble cedex 9, France email of corresponding author: [email protected] *Corresponding author Keywords: water wheel, water turbine, hydropower, hydro-power plant.
    [Show full text]
  • Pelton Turbine Test Experiment Sheet
    BURSA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING MECHANICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY PELTON TURBINE TEST EXPERIMENT SHEET Asst. Prof. Dr. Kemal Furkan SÖKMEN Res. Asst. Emre DEMİRCİ BURSA, 2016 CENTRIFUGAL PUMP TEST 1. OBJECTIVES To test the Pelton Turbine at different loads and spear valve settings and produce curves that show the turbine performance and the effect of different spear valve settings. 2. GENERAL INFORMATION The Pelton Turbine is a hydraulic ‘impulse’ turbine, in which one or more water jets hit ‘buckets’ on a wheel. The force produced by the jet impact at right angles to the buckets generates a torque that causes the wheel to rotate, thus producing power. The name ‘Pelton’ comes from, an American engineer who researched the best shape of the buckets needed for the turbine. Although the concept is very simple, some very large machines of high efficiency have been developed, with power outputs of more than 100 MW and efficiencies of around 95%. On a small laboratory model however, the output may be just a few Watts. The efficiency will therefore be very much smaller, because loses in bearings and by air friction are proportionally much higher than in a large, powerful turbine. Fig. 1. The Pelton Turbine See Figure 2. The turbine is a wheel with ‘buckets’ around its circumference. Water passes through a Spear Valve that controls and directs the inlet flow through a nozzle and onto the buckets due to gravity. Fig. 2. The Pelton Wheel See Figure 3. At the back of the wheel is a ‘brake’ drum that works with a cord and two spring balances to measure the torque in the turbine.
    [Show full text]