Comparative Performance Evaluation of Pelton Wheel and Cross Flow Turbines for Power Generation

Year 2019, Volume: 3 Issue: 1, 6 - 12, 20.03.2019

Oyetayo Oyebode Joshua Olaoye

https://doi.org/10.26701/ems.449884

Cited By: 1

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 (15^o above
tangent, tangential and 15^o 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. The optimum Turbine speed
(392.02rpm) in on-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 36.46kNm, optimum Alternator speed of
1768.56 rpm and an optimum output voltage of 7.87 V for Pelton Wheel Turbine
while for Cross Flow Turbine, an optimum Turbine Speed of 197.66 rpm 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 25.02kNm, optimum Alternator speed of 879.24rpm and an optimum output
voltage of 4.05V. Hence, from the results obtained, it was observed that the
most efficient turbine at these pre-set conditions was the Pelton Wheel Turbine.
This shows that if adequately optimized, the Pelton wheel can perform
effectively at low heads.

Keywords

Small hydropower, Pelton wheel turbine, Cross flow turbine, power generation

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