Pelton Wheel

Experiment
Turbine Speed and Horsepower
Operation of the Pelton wheel apparatus will involve adjusting the mass flow rate of the nozzle
jet stream for four open settings of the spear valve- 25, 50, 75 and 100 percent. At each setting
data will be recorded allowing for a computational analysis which will yield characteristic plots
for Braking Horsepower vs. Turbine Speed, Water Horsepower vs. Turbine Speed and Turbine
Efficiency vs. Turbine Speed.

10/24/2014

Joseph R. Felice
1

Introduction
The goal of this experiment is to operate the Pelton wheel in order to gather data related to its
function for calculations which will yield characteristic plots of braking/water horsepower, speed
and efficiency.

Pelton Wheel Apparatus

The Pelton wheel apparatus shown in Figure 1 below was the equipment used for this lab
experiment. Encased in the white housing is the turbine wheel. The gage in front of the white
housing measures the pressure of the
water jet. Then to the left of the pressure
gage is the spear valve. Adjusting this
valve allows the operator to control the
intensity of the jet stream on the wheel.
In this lab the intensity is varied from 25,
50, 75 and 100%.
In this apparatus the pressure is supplied
by a water pump also seen in Figure 1.
The power source for this pump is an
electric motor. In the image above, the
cylindrical white casing for the water
pump can be seen at the bottom.
Figure 1 - Shown above is an image of the Pelton wheel
apparatus. Enclosed in the white housing is the turbine wheel.
Also seen in this picture are the pressure gage and the spear valve
to the left which when adjusted changes the mass flow rate of the
jet stream impacting the wheel. At the bottom left of the picture
the white cylindrical casing for the water pump can be seen,
Image courtesy of Pennsylvania State University.

Figure 2 - Shown to the left is an image of the

mass flow rate meter for the jet stream
impacting the wheel, Image courtesy of
Pennsylvania State University.

Essentially, how a Pelton wheel

apparatus works is first the electric
motor supplies power to the water
pump. The electric motor is variable
speed and therefore is regulated by
the input speed controller shown in
Figure 3. After a few minutes the
pumps builds up pressure.
After
enough pressure has been built up
the operator must then adjust the
spear valve to allow the water jet to
flow into the chamber containing the
turbine wheel.
Figure 3 - Show above is an image of the variable input speed
controller for the electric motor. At the top of the image another
view of the white cylindrical housing for the water pump can be
seen, Image courtesy of Pennsylvania State University.

Experimental Procedure [1]

1. Turn on the electric variable control motor by the power switch
2. Allow the Pelton wheel pump to operate a few minutes to build up pressure.
3. Turn the spear valve to the desired setting. Start with 25%. Then repeat for 50, 75 and
100%.
4. Record the required data for the calculations needed for characteristic plots.

Results and Discussion

This section includes the following characteristic plots:

Brake horsepower vs. turbine speed

Water horsepower vs. turbine speed

Turbine efficiency vs. turbine speed

Graph 1 - Featured above is the characteristic plot of Braking Horsepower vs. Turbine Speed for the Pelton wheel apparatus.

Graph 2 - Featured above is the characteristic plot of Water Horsepower vs. Turbine Speed for the Pelton wheel apparatus.

Graph 3 - Featured above is the characteristic plot of Braking Horsepower vs. Turbine Speed for the Pelton wheel apparatus.

The braking and water horsepower were both at a maximum when the spear valve was adjusted
to a 100% setting. However, efficiency was at a maximum for each setting of the spear valve
for medium level turbine speeds.
Conclusion
Efficiency could be increased by maintaining a medium turbine speed. This is where the
maximum efficiency seemed to occur for spear setting during operation of the Pelton wheel.
Appendix

25%
Open
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Turbine
Load
(lbf)
0.1063
0.4125
0.7313
0.9750
1.0750
1.2000
1.2823
1.3750
1.5063
1.8750

Turbine
Speed
(rpm)

Pressure
Head
(psig)

Flow
(ft3/min)

Volts

Amps

Motor
Speed
(rpm)

Motor
Load
(lbf)

1858
1608
1508
1316
1223
1140
1040
960
860
0

15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15

3.25
3.00
3.12
3.12
3.12
3.12
3.12
3.12
3.12
3.12

180
180
180
180
180
180
180
180
180
180

3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2

2127
2127
2127
2127
2127
2127
2127
2127
2127
2127

1.530
1.556
1.544
1.362
1.564
1.574
1.560
1.566
1.556
1.564

Table 2 - Above is the data collection for the Pelton wheel apparatus with the spear valve set at 25%.

50%
Open
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Turbine
Load
(lbf)
0.0875
0.6500
1.1313
1.5188
1.8500
2.1188
2.5188
2.6875
2.8875
3.1000

Turbine
Speed
(rpm)

Pressure
Head
(psig)

Flow
(ft3/min)

Volts

Amps

Motor
Speed
(rpm)

Motor
Load
(lbf)

1909
1710
1530
1352
1170
1041
807
630
510
0

15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15

5.20
5.20
5.20
5.20
5.20
5.20
5.20
5.20
5.20
5.20

190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190

3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5

2290
2290
2290
2290
2290
2290
2290
2290
2290
2290

2.174
2.184
2.182
2.174
2.176
2.203
2.204
2.208
2.204
2.184

Table 2 - Above is the data collection for the Pelton wheel apparatus with the spear valve set at 50%.

75%
Open
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Turbine
Load
(lbf)
0.0813
0.9125
1.5250
1.8688
2.5063
2.7500
3.1125
3.4188
3.5563
3.8438

Turbine
Speed
(rpm)

Pressure
Head
(psig)

Flow
(ft3/min)

Volts

Amps

Motor
Speed
(rpm)

Motor
Load
(lbf)

1942
1681
1502
1309
1142
1019
826
627
443
0

15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15

6.50
6.50
6.50
6.50
6.50
6.50
6.50
6.50
6.50
6.50

200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200

5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0

2460
2452
2445
2460
2457
2456
2459
2460
2457
2453

2.650
2.672
2.686
2.668
2.652
2.642
2.642
2.648
2.664
2.666

Table 3 - Above is the data collection for the Pelton wheel apparatus with the spear valve set at 75%.

100%
Open
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Turbine
Load
(lbf)
0.1000
1.0875
1.6563
2.2438
2.7313
3.0875
3.4875
3.7375
3.9188
4.1063

Turbine
Speed
(rpm)

Pressure
Head
(psig)

Flow
(ft3/min)

Volts

Amps

Motor
Speed
(rpm)

Motor
Load
(lbf)

1935
1660
1499
1308
1121
996
803
629
490
0

15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15

7.20
7.20
7.20
7.20
7.20
7.20
7.20
7.20
7.20
7.20

210
210
210
210
210
210
210
210
210
210

5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5

2540
2541
2539
2539
2536
2539
2544
2543
2549
2551

2.924
2.926
2.928
2.906
2.918
2.922
2.924
2.934
2.952
2.946

Table 4 - Above is the data collection for the Pelton wheel apparatus with the spear valve set at 100%.

25% Open

Water
Horsepower
(WHP)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

0.249532
0.249532
0.249532
0.249532
0.249532
0.249532
0.249532
0.249532
0.249532
0.249532

Turbine
Braking
Horsepower
(BHPT)
0.019733
0.066300
0.110220
0.128400
0.131400
0.136800
0.133180
0.131940
0.129400
0

Pump
Braking
Horsepower
(BHPP)
0.477401
0.477401
0.477401
0.477401
0.477401
0.477401
0.477401
0.477401
0.477401
0.477401

Pump
Efficiency
(P)

Turbine
Efficiency
(T)

0.522688
0.522688
0.522688
0.522688
0.522688
0.522688
0.522688
0.522688
0.522688
0.522688

0.079084
0.265698
0.441706
0.514564
0.526586
0.548226
0.533718
0.528750
0.518570
0

Table 5 - Above are computations based on the data collection from Table 1 used in generating the characteristic plots for
the Pelton wheel apparatus with the spear valve set at 25%.

50% Open

Water
Horsepower
(WHP)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

0.430745
0.430745
0.430745
0.430745
0.430745
0.430745
0.430745
0.430745
0.430745
0.430745

Turbine
Braking
Horsepower
(BHPT)
0.01670
0.11110
0.17302
0.25200
0.21640
0.22047
0.20319
0.16924
0.14720
0

Pump
Braking
Horsepower
(BHPP)
0.73184
0.73184
0.73184
0.73184
0.73184
0.73184
0.73184
0.73184
0.73184
0.73184

Pump
Efficiency
(P)

Turbine
Efficiency
(T)

0.58858
0.58858
0.58858
0.58858
0.58858
0.58858
0.58858
0.58858
0.58858
0.58858

0.038770
0.257926
0.401676
0.476384
0.502386
0.511834
0.471718
0.392901
0.341734
0

Table 6 - Above are computations based on the data collection from Table 2 used in generating the characteristic plots for
the Pelton wheel apparatus with the spear valve set at 50%.

75% Open

Water
Horsepower
(WHP)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

0.55476
0.55476
0.55476
0.55476
0.55476
0.55476
0.55476
0.55476
0.55476
0.55476

Turbine
Braking
Horsepower
(BHPT)
0.01578
0.15334
0.22900
0.24440
0.28600
0.28002
0.25700
0.21426
0.15748
0

Pump
Braking
Horsepower
(BHPP)
0.95324
0.95324
0.95324
0.95324
0.95324
0.95324
0.95324
0.95324
0.95324
0.95324

Pump
Efficiency
(P)

Turbine
Efficiency
(T)

0.58197
0.58197
0.58197
0.58197
0.58197
0.58197
0.58197
0.58197
0.58197
0.58197

0.02844
0.27640
0.41278
0.44056
0.51554
0.50476
0.46324
0.38622
0.28388
0

Table 7 - Above are computations based on the data collection from Table 3 used in generating the characteristic plots for
the Pelton wheel apparatus with the spear valve set at 75%.

100% Open

Water
Horsepower
(WHP)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

0.62591
0.62591
0.62591
0.62591
0.62591
0.62591
0.62591
0.62591
0.62591
0.62591

Turbine
Braking
Horsepower
(BHPT)
0.01934
0.18046
0.24820
0.29340
0.30600
0.29920
0.27980
0.23500
0.19194
0

Pump
Braking
Horsepower
(BHPP)
1.08652
1.08652
1.08652
1.08652
1.08652
1.08652
1.08652
1.08652
1.08652
1.08652

Pump
Efficiency
(P)

Turbine
Efficiency
(T)

0.57607
0.57607
0.57607
0.57607
0.57607
0.57607
0.57607
0.57607
0.57607
0.57607

0.03090
0.28832
0.39654
0.46876
0.48888
0.47802
0.44702
0.37546
0.30666
0

Table 8 - Above are computations based on the data collection from Table 4 used in generating the characteristic plots for
the Pelton wheel apparatus with the spear valve set at 100%.

Pelton Wheel Apparatus

Brake Moment Arm (in)
6.3

Pump Moment Arm (in)

9.2

Pipe Diameter (in)

1.6

Table 9 - Above are measurements for the moment arms and pipe diameter for the Pelton wheel apparatus used in
computations for generating the characteristic plots.

Sample Calculations
Turbine Braking Horsepower @ 25%
[(6.3/12 feet)*(1858 rpm)*(1.7/16 lbs)*2*pi] /33000 = 0.01973 hp
Velocity @ 25%
Q = VA
[3.12 cubic feet/min]/60 = pi*[(9.2/12 feet)/2]2*V
V = 0.1126 ft/s
Water horsepower @ 25%
[[[15*144 lb/ft2]/[(1.94 slug/ft3)*(32.2 ft/square second)] + (0.1126 ft/s)2/[2*32.2
ft/s2]]*3.12/0.1337 gal/min*10]/33000 = 0.249532 hp
Turbine Efficiency @ 25%
0.019733 hp/0.249532 hp = 0.079084

References
[1] Summarized from ME 308 Lecture Notes, Fall 2014, Pelton Experiment Description, Slides
1-3. Pennsylvania State University, Angel Course Webpage.

2014

Refrigeration Cycle Laboratory

Figure 1: Shown above is Hampden Refrigeration Trainer Unit, Image

courtesy of Hampden Engineering Corporation [1].

Joseph R. Felice
Pennsylvania State University
11/21/2014
1

Objective:
The purpose of this laboratory is for the student to be familiarized with the refrigeration cycle.
Following operation of the Hampden H6710 Refrigerator Demonstration Unit thermodynamic
analysis of the collected data will be conducted. Data analysis will include a temperature vs.
specific entropy plot (a.k.a. TS diagram) of the R134a refrigerant accompanied by a series of
calculations.
Introduction:
Essentially, the second law of thermodynamics states that heat exchange from a cold
temperature body to a high temperature body in the absence of work [2]. Heat transfer from
high temperature objects to low temperature objects occurs as a natural phenomenon, thus
requiring no work. Therefore, in order to generate the work needed for heat transfer to occur
in the opposite flow as aforementioned in the second law of thermodynamics a special
apparatus known as a refrigerator is required [3].
A refrigerator consists of four elements which are a compressor, condenser, expansion valve
and evaporator. Refrigerant is the term for the fluid used in this reverse flow process. The
efficiency of this process is measured by the coefficient of performance. Represented as COPR,
efficiency of the refrigeration cycle is established as a ratio of desired output to required input.
Unlike thermal efficiency, values for COPR can be higher than one [3]. The principles of the
refrigeration cycle that are demonstrated by the Hampden H6710 Refrigerator Demonstration
Unit are representative of the second law of thermodynamics.
Experimental Procedure:
1. Turn on the circulator pump to begin the refrigeration cycle process.
2. Turn on the circuit breaker for the compressor.
3. Open the valve at the condenser inlet.
4. Turn on the circuit breaker for the heater.
5. Adjust the heater setting around 20 F higher than the temperature of the tank water.
6. Before you start the experiment make note of the initial KW measurement for the
compressor unit.
7. Let the Hampden H6710 operate. During operation take down values for the
temperature and pressure at each of the thermocouple locations.
8. Operate the Hampden H6710 for 45 minutes before shutting the unit down.

Discussion/Results:

F
igure 2 - Above is a plot of Temperature vs. Specific Entropy for the Hampden Refrigeration Unit. Plotted are the curves for
the experimental data enveloped by minus and plus error readings.*

The above graph shown in Figure 2 was generated using the experimental data from the
operation of the Hampden Refrigeration Trainer Unit. Slight modifications were made to the
entropy values recorded before the evaporator at 41 psig when the temperature of the
refrigerant read 44 F. Initially, as shown in Table 8 in the Appendix, the entropy before
entering the evaporator was 0.0565 BTU/lb-R. Obviously, this cannot be the case since that
would be a loss of entropy through the expansion valve. Given these are not ideal conditions,
friction exists. Thus, the refrigerant would gain entropy traveling through the expansion valve.
In order to adjust these values, the absolute pressure which was 55.7 psia along with the
enthalpy value of 37.1 BTU/lb calculated at the entrance of the thermal expansion value (TEV)
yielded the correct value for entropy at 0.0782 BTU/lb-R. The plot of the experimental data
was complemented by an envelope of minus and plus error taken into account for the
temperature and pressure gauge readings recorded during the experiment. Plus and minus five
psi in pressure and three degrees in temperature were the ranges used in generating the error
plots. The values for the entropy at the 41 psig and 44 F refrigerant were also adjusted
accordingly for the plus and minus error data plots.
*See Note on bottom of page 8 in Appendix.

A possible source of error in the data acquired during the experiment could rest in a faulty
circulator pump shown below in Figure 4. Observing the data in the charts contained in the
Appendix one will notice that the temperatures of the water in the tank and of the refrigerant
leaving the evaporator were almost the same at 67 F. This should not be the case. The
circulator pump serves to distribute the water tank temperature. Since the evaporator coil is
located inside the water tank shown below in Figure 3, the highest the temperature of the
refrigerant leaving the evaporator should be around 60 F.

Figure 3 - Above is the water tank. Inside this tank is the evaporator coil surrounded by water maintained at 67 F. Since the
refrigerant temperature departing the evaporator coil is the same temperature as the tank water it is believed the circulator
pump malfunctioned, Image courtesy of Pennsylvania State University.

Figure 4 - Shown above is an image of the circulator pump, the component of the Hampden believed to be faulty during the
experiment, Image courtesy of Pennsylvania State University.

Calculations and Analysis:

For the collected experimental data, the calculated enthalpies yield a coefficient of
performance for the refrigerant of
COPR = [114 BTU/lbm 37.1 BTU/lbm]/[122 BTU/lbm 114 BTU/lbm] = 9.6
For the minus error plot of the collected experimental data, the calculated enthalpies yield a
coefficient of performance for the refrigerant of
COPR = [109 BTU/lbm 37.1 BTU/lbm]/[122 BTU/lbm 109 BTU/lbm] = 5.5
Clearly, the minus error plot for the refrigeration cycle yields a much more reasonable
coefficient of performance than the collected experimental data. Again, the faulty circulator
pump may be responsible for shifting the experimental plot slightly off to what is should have
been provided proper functioning of the equipment.
The coefficient of performance for the electricity in the system was calculated at
COPE = [920 kWh 907.7 kWh]/[329.8 kWh 326.3 kWh] = 3.5
A value of 3.5 for the coefficient of performance for the electricity is a reasonable value. The
Hampden Refrigeration Unit operated for a total time of 45 minutes.
The efficiency of the compressor was calculated at
nc = Ideal/Actual = (122 BTU/lbm 114 BTU/lbm)/(122 BTU/lbm 155 BTU/lbm) = 1.14 or 114%
Clearly, this is not possible and is most likely caused by error in reading the pressure gage or
malfunctioning components such as the aforementioned circulator pump.
The heat flow rate of the water was calculated at
=cp(To Ti) = (0.41 gal/min)*(8.35 lb/min)*(0.999 BTU/lbF)*(82 F 66 F) = 54.72
BTU/min [4]
The value for the specific heat of water was acquired from the table cited from an online table
noted in reference [4]. The average of 66 F and 82 F was calculated at 74 F. Then a value for
the specific heat of water was acquired from this online table at the average temperature.
The power to the compressor was calculated at
[(329.8 kWh 326.3 kWh)]/[(45 min/60 min) hr] * 0.05 * 2 = 0.467 kW

The actual work of the compressor was calculated at

Delta Enthalpy = 122 BTU/lbm 115 BTU/lbm = 7 BTU/lbm
The ideal work of the compressor was calculated at
Delta Enthalpy = 123 BTU/lbm 114 BTU/lbm = 9 BTU/lbm
These values are incorrect since it is not possible to have a higher value of work in the ideal case
than it is in the actual case. Therefore, there must be an error in the experimental data due to
either inaccuracies in gage readings or malfunctioning of the Hampden. However, for the
minus plot of the experimental data
The actual work was calculated at
Delta Enthalpy = 122 BTU/lbm 111 BTU/lbm = 11 BTU/lbm
The ideal work of the compressor was calculated at
Delta Enthalpy = 122 BTU/lbm 115 BTU/lbm = 8 BTU/lbm
These values are obviously much more reasonable confirming the likelihood of errors in the
experimental data.
The energy balance for the compressor was calculated at
compressor

= -0.59 lbm/min*(122 BTU/lbm 115 BTU/lbm) = -4.13 BTU/min

A negative value for the energy balance of the compressor component makes perfect sense. In
order for the compressor to function work must go in allowing for it to be able to increase the
pressure of the refrigerant. Thus, the negative sign represents the appropriate sense for the
direction of work going into the compressor.
The energy balance for the condenser was calculated at
condenser

= -0.59 lbm/min*(37.8 BTU/lbm 121 BTU/lbm) = 49.09 BTU/min

The energy balance for the evaporator was calculated at

evaporator

= -0.59 lbm/min*(114 BTU/lbm 26.2 BTU/lbm) = -51.80 BTU/min

The energy balance for the thermal expansion valve (TEV) was calculated at
TEV

= -0.59 lbm/min*(37.1 BTU/lbm 37.1 BTU/lbm) = 0 BTU/min

The reason why the energy balance for the expansion valve is zero is because the pressure drop
of the refrigerant which occurs through the TEV takes place at constant enthalpy. Although
there is no way of knowing for certain that this is exactly the case with the Hampden trainer
unit theoretically it is known this is the situation. Thus, the recorded data value for enthalpy
before entering the evaporator of 26.2 BTU/lbm (Appendix, Table 8) was adjusted to the
enthalpy value recorded for entrance into the TEV of 37.1 BTU/lbm (Appendix Table 7). This
yielded the theoretically correct value of 0 BTU/min for energy balance of the TEV.
The energy in vs. the energy out ratio was calculated at
Ein/Eout = [(114 BTU/lbm 26.2 BTU/lbm) + 7 BTU/lbm]/(121 BTU/lbm 37.8 BTU/lbm) = 1.139
In a perfect situation the energy in to energy out ratio should be a 1:1 ratio. However, since
there are frictional losses to be taken into consideration the formula
out

in

in

- Frictionlosses

must be taken into consideration. From this we can calculate the value of friction loss to be
11.6 BTU/lbm. Therefore, when this value is added to out, the ratio becomes 1:1 for the
energy in versus energy out of the refrigeration cycle for the Hampden.
For the carnot cycle:
The coefficient of performance based on the calculated enthalpies for the experimental data
was determined to be
COPC = [117 BTU/lbm 37.1 BTU/lbm]/[124 BTU/lbm 117 BTU/lbm] = 11.4
This coefficient of performance for the carnot cycle (COPC) makes sense since when compared
to the refrigerant COPR it is a higher value. The COPR was 9.6 and the COPC as seen directly
above is 11.4. Since the carnot cycle is an ideal condition that does not involve and frictional
losses, it is expected that its COP will be a higher value.
For the minus error plot data the COPC was calculated at
COPC = [115 BTU/lbm 36.8 BTU/lbm]/[123 BTU/lbm 115 BTU/lbm] = 9.8
Again this value makes perfect sense since it is lower than the refrigerant COPR calculated for
the minus error plot was 5.5, which is less due to losses in the system compared to the above
value of 9.8 for the COPC for the carnot cycle.

Appendix [5]
Water In

Property

Value

43 psi @ 66 F

Specific Enthalpy (BTU/lbm)

Specific Entropy (BTU/lb-R)

114
0.229

Table 1 - Above is a table of the values for specific enthalpy and specific entropy for the water in at 43 psi at 66 F.

Water Out

Property

Value

14.7 psi @ 82 F

Specific Enthalpy (BTU/lbm)

Specific Entropy (BTU/lb-R)

120
0.266

Table 2 - Above is a table of the values for specific enthalpy and specific entropy for the water out at 14.7 psi at 82 F.

Entering Compressor

Property

Value

38 psi @ 68 F

Specific Enthalpy (BTU/lbm)

Specific Entropy (BTU/lb-R)

115
0.232

Table 3 - Above is a table of the values for specific enthalpy and specific entropy for the refrigerant entering the compressor
at 38 psi at 68 F.

Leaving Compressor

Property

Value

109 psi @ 119 F

Specific Enthalpy (BTU/lbm)

Specific Entropy (BTU/lb-R)

122
0.231

Table 4 - Above is a table of the values for specific enthalpy and specific entropy for the refrigerant leaving the compressor at
109 psi at 119 F.

Entering Condenser

Property

Value

110 psi @ 113 F

Specific Enthalpy (BTU/lbm)

Specific Entropy (BTU/lb-R)

121
0.228

Table 5 - Above is a table of the values for specific enthalpy and specific entropy for the refrigerant entering the condenser at
110 psi at 113 F.

Leaving Condenser

Property

Value

115 psi @ 79 F

Specific Enthalpy (BTU/lbm)

Specific Entropy (BTU/lb-R)

37.8
0.0786

Table 6 - Above is a table of the values for specific enthalpy and specific entropy for refrigerant leaving the condenser at 115
psi at 79 F.

Thermal Expansion Valve

(TEV)
110 psi @ 77 F

Property

Value

Specific Enthalpy (BTU/lbm)

Specific Entropy (BTU/lb-R)

37.1
0.0773

Table 7 - Above is a table of the values for specific enthalpy and specific entropy for the refrigerant going through the
thermal expansion valve (TEV) at 110 psi at 77 F.

Before Evaporator

Property

Value

41 psi @ 44 F

Specific Enthalpy (BTU/lbm)

Specific Entropy (BTU/lb-R)

26.2
0.0565

Table 8 - Above is a table of the values for specific enthalpy and specific entropy of the refrigerant before the evaporator at
41 psi at 44 F.

After Evaporator

Property

Value

38 psi @ 67 F

Specific Enthalpy (BTU/lbm)

Specific Entropy (BTU/lb-R)

114
0.232

Table 9 - Above is a table of the values for specific enthalpy and specific entropy for the refrigerant after the evaporator at 38
psi at 67 F.

H2O Tank Temperature

Property

Value

14.7 psi @ 67 F

Specific Enthalpy (BTU/lbm)

Specific Entropy (BTU/lb-R)

117
0.26

Table 10 - Above is a table of the values for specific enthalpy and specific entropy of the water in the tank at 14.7 psi at 67 F.

*Note: Please see attached Excel file for plot and data points for plot shown in Figure 2.

References
[1] Hampden Engineering Corporation, Model #H-6710 Refrigeration Demonstrator. 2011,
Web, 20 November 2014, from <http://www.hampden.com/productdetails.php?viewid=996>.
[2] HyperPhysics, Second Law of Thermodynamics. 2014, Web, 16 November 2014, from
<http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/seclaw.html#c1>.
[3] Cengel, Yunus A., 2008, Introduction to Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer, 2nd ed.,
McGraw- Hill, New York, NY, Chap. 7.
[4] The Engineering ToolBox. Water Properties. Web. 12 November 2014.
<http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/water-properties-d_1258.html>.*
*Reference [4] was used to acquire the specific heat of water at an average temperature of 74
F. This average was acquired based on the temperature in, 66 F and the temperature out, 82
F.
[5] Fluid Property Calculator. IRC Fluid Property Calculator. 2014. Penn State Angel Website.
12 November 2014. < https://cms.psu.edu/>.

Rankine Cycler Experiment

Figure 1 Shown above is an image of a Rankine Cycler System,

Image courtesy of Turbine Technologies, Ltd [1].

Joseph R. Felice
Pennsylvania State University

12/1/14

Operation of the Pelton wheel apparatus will involve adjusting the mass flow rate of the
nozzle jet stream for four open settings of the spear valve- 25, 50, 75 and 100 percent.
At each setting data will be recorded allowing for a computational analysis which will
yield characteristic plots for Braking Horsepower vs. Turbine Speed, Water Horsepower
vs. Turbine Speed and Turbine Efficiency vs. Turbine Speed.

Objective:
The purpose of this laboratory experiment is to operate the Rankine Cycler System in
order to conduct technical calculations regarding turbine efficiency.
Introduction:
The rankine cycle is the process of converting heat to work [2]. This particular
experiment will utilize the Rankine Cycler System with a data acquisition computer to
collect values for temperature, pressure, speed, voltage and current. After these data
points are collected they will be downloaded into an Excel file where plots will be
generated. After these plots are made they will serve to aid in calculations for turbine
efficiency.
Specifically, the plots for turbine inlet/outlet temperatures and pressures will be
analyzed for times when steady-state conditions occurred. Due to the absence of a
pump in this Rankine Cycler System genuine steady-state conditions cannot be
achieved. Therefore, times when conditions were as close to steady-state as possible
will be used for turbine efficiency calculations. Two different times will be selected to
determine if there is any variation in the efficiency during operation of the Rankine
Cycler System.
These will be performed by entering the turbine inlet/outlet temperature and pressure
values into a steam properties calculator which will then yield the necessary enthalpies
for performing the computations. Values for entropy will also be collected. Shown
below in Figure 2 is an image of a turbine in a Rankine Cycler System [1].

Figure 2 Shown above is an image of a turbine in a Rankine Cycler System, Image

Courtesy of Turbine Technologies, Ltd.

Raw Data Plots:

Figure 3 Above is a plot of boiler pressure vs. time. Due to the absence of a pump a
transient state occurs during operation of the Rankine Cycler System.

Figure 4 Above is a plot of boiler temperature vs. time.

Figure 5 Above is a plot of fuel flow vs. time. The sudden drop in flow is most likely an
anomaly in the acquisition of the data by the computer.

Figure 6 Above is a plot of turbine inlet pressure vs. time.

Figure 7 Above is a plot of turbine inlet temperature vs. time.

Figure 8 Above is a plot of turbine outlet pressure vs. time.

Figure 9 Above is a plot of turbine outlet temperature vs. time.

Figure 10 Above is a plot of turbine rpm vs. time.

Figure 11 Above is a plot of generator dc amps output vs. time.

Figure 12 Above is a plot of generator dc voltage output vs. time.

Figure 13 Above is a plot of propane energy release vs. time. The sudden drop in this
data relates to Figure 5 since flow rate was involved in the energy computation.

Figure 14 Above is a plot of generator power output vs. time.

Figure 15 Above is a plot of cycle efficiency vs. time.

Calculations:
The isentropic efficiency for the turbine is determined using
nturb = hin hout,a/hin hout,s
At time 9:21:52 using the online calculator yielded

Turbine Inlet
Recorded @ 9:21:52

Recorded Data
Pressure (kPa)
Temperature (C)

Value
162.2
113.0

Table 1 Shown above is a table of values obtained by the data acquisition computer.

Turbine Inlet
Recorded @ 9:21:52

Recorded Data
Entropy (kJ/kg*K)
Enthalpy (kJ/kg)

Value
7.232
2696.62

Table 2 Shown above is a table of values for the thermodynamic properties based on
the values acquired by the data acquisition computer.

Turbine Outlet
Recorded @ 9:21:52

Recorded Data
Pressure (kPa)
Temperature (C)

Value
130.4
101.0

Table 3 Shown above is a table of values obtained by the data acquisition computer.

Turbine Outlet
Recorded @ 9:21:52

Recorded Data
Entropy (kJ/kg*K)
Enthalpy (kJ/kg)

Value
7.300
2691.245

Table 4 Shown above is a table of values for the thermodynamic properties based on
the values acquired by the data acquisition computer.

Turbine Outlet - Isentropic

Recorded @ 9:21:52

Recorded Data
Pressure (kPa)
Temperature (C)

Value
130.4
106.0

Table 5 Shown above is a table of values obtained by the data acquisition computer.

Turbine Outlet
Recorded @ 9:21:52

Recorded Data
Entropy (kJ/kg*K)
Enthalpy (kJ/kg)

Value
7.280
2684.959

Table 6 Shown above is a table of values for the thermodynamic properties based on
the values acquired by the data acquisition computer.

Thus, for 9:21:52

nturb = 2696.62 2691.245/2696.62 2684.959 = .461 or 46.1%
For 9:29:24 using the online calculator yielded
Turbine Inlet
Recorded @ 9:29:24

Recorded Data
Pressure (kPa)
Temperature (C)

Value
204.3
130.0

Table 7 Shown above is a table of values obtained by the data acquisition computer.

Turbine Inlet
Recorded @ 9:29:24

Recorded Data
Entropy (kJ/kg*K)
Enthalpy (kJ/kg)

Value
7.169
2726.83

Table 8 Shown above is a table of values for the thermodynamic properties based on
the values acquired by the data acquisition computer.

Turbine Outlet
Recorded @ 9:29:24

Recorded Data
Pressure (kPa)
Temperature (C)

Value
130.2
109.0

Table 9 Shown above is a table of values obtained by the data acquisition computer.

Turbine Outlet
Recorded @ 9:29:24

Recorded Data
Entropy (kJ/kg*K)
Enthalpy (kJ/kg)

Value
7.350
2704.267

Table 10 Shown above is a table of values for the thermodynamic properties based on
the values acquired by the data acquisition computer.

Turbine Outlet - Isentropic

Recorded @ 9:29:24

Recorded Data
Pressure (kPa)
Temperature (C)

Value
130.2
105.0

Table 11 Shown above is a table of values obtained by the data acquisition computer.

Turbine Outlet
Recorded @ 9:29:24

Recorded Data
Entropy (kJ/kg*K)
Enthalpy (kJ/kg)

Value
7.298
2683.511

Table 12 Shown above is a table of values for the thermodynamic properties based on
the values acquired by the data acquisition computer.

Thus, for 9:29:24

nturb = 2726.830 2704.267/2726.830 2683.511 = .521 or 52.1%
Discussion:
In order to increase the isentropic efficiency of the turbine a cooling system should be
installed in the condenser tower. Thus, more steam would be condensed and returned
to the pump (if one were present in this apparatus) to be reused.
The overall cycle efficiency is given by
nsys = generator power output/propane power input
During this trial of the Rankine Cycler System the overall cycle efficiency maximized at
9:45:12 at a value of 6.19 * 10-5. This value is equivalent to 6 * 10-3 %. Thus, this is a
very inefficient turbine. A suspected faulty bearing is the cause of the system
inefficiency.
10

In regard to the turbine efficiency at 9:21:52 it was calculated at 46.1%. At this time the
turbine inlet pressure was recorded at 162.2 kPa. A short time later at 9:29:24 the
turbine efficiency was calculated at 52.1%. This time the turbine inlet pressure was
measured at 204.3 kPa. Thus, the turbine efficiency increased with a greater value for
inlet pressure. Essentially a higher value of inlet pressure means that a smaller
percentage of pressurized steam is lost to overcoming the rolling frictional factor of the
turbine wheel. Hence, with a higher percentage of the overall inlet steam pressure
being available for moving the turbine wheel the turbine efficiency increased.
The generator power output maximized at 9:42:28 at a value of 9.19 Watts. At this time
the turbine inlet temperature was 207 C at a pressure of 117 kPa. Also, the turbine
rpm was 3,580 rpm, which was the maximum rpm achieved during operation of the lab
apparatus. Therefore, steam at a high temperature and low pressure drives the turbine
wheel to its maximum rpm, thus causing the generator power output to yield its
maximum value. Since at a high temperature and low pressure the steam will have
more entropy it makes sense that the combination of values for pressure and
temperature at 9:42:28 drives the turbine to its maximum level of rpm.
Changes that could be made to the Rankine Cycler System if space permitted include
the addition of a collector for the condensed steam and a pump. The addition of these
elements to the apparatus would make for a genuine rankine cycle and more realistic
data collection such as achieving steady state boiler pressure instead of a transient
state during operation.

11

References
[1] Turbine Technologies, LTD, April 2012, RankineCycler Steam Turbine Power
System Sample Lab Experiment Procedure. From
<http://www.turbinetechnologies.com/portals/0/pdfs/rankinecycler_tech_sheets/rankincy
clersamplelab.pdf>.
[2] Ecourses, Thermodynamics Theory: Rankine Cycle. From
<http://www.ecourses.ou.edu/cgibin/ebook.cgi?topic=th&chap_sec=10.1&page=theory>.
Calculator:
CalcSteam, Calculation of thermodynamic properties of overheated steam. From
<http://www.peacesoftware.de/einigewerte/wasser_dampf_e.html>.