Lab Name: Performance and analysis of Kaplan turbine on multi turbine test

Course title: Power Plants (Lab) Total Marks: 20

Practical No. 10 Date of experiment performed:
Course teacher/Lab Instructor: Engr. Syed M Kashif Shah Date of marking:
Student Name:
Registration no.

Evaluation Sheet

Knowledge components Domain Taxonomy Contribution Max. Obtained

level mark marks
s
1. Student is aware
with requirement Set (P2) 3
and use of apparatus
involved in
Experiment. Psychomotor
2. Student has conducted the
experiment by practicing 70%
the hands-on skills as per
Instructions. Guided Response 11
3. Student has achieved required (P3)
accuracy in performance.

4. Student is aware of discipline

& safety rules and followed Receiving (A1) 2
Affective
the rules during experiment.
20%

5. Student has responded well

Respond (A2) 2
and contributed affectively in
Respective lab activity.

6. Student familiar with Comprehension

Cognitive 10% 2
performance and analysis of (C2)
Kaplan turbine

Total 20

Signed by Course teacher/ Lab Instructor

 Experiment No. 10

Performance and Analysis of Kaplan Turbine on Multi Turbine Test Set.

Equipment:
Multi Turbine Test Set
Specifications:
1. Kaplan Turbine
 Dimensions: net 750 x 600 x 650 mm, packed 0.171 m3
 Weight: net 14 kg, packed 20 kg
 Inlet height: 14.5 mm
 Outlet diameter: 88.0 mm
 Interchangeable rotors: three with blade angles of 10º, 20º and
 30º, diameters 87 mm
 Guide varies: six equip-spaced, diameter 153.4 mm

Introduction:
The Kaplan turbine was an evolution of the Francis turbine. Its invention allowed efficient power
production in low-head applications that was not possible with Francis turbines. The head ranges
from 10–70 meter and the output from 5 to 200 MW. Runner diameters are between 2 and 11
meter. Turbines rotate at a constant rate, which varies from facility to facility. That rate ranges
from as low as 69.2 rpm (Bonneville North Powerhouse, Washington U.S.) to 429 rpm. Kaplan
turbines are now widely used throughout the world in high-flow, low-head power production.

A Kaplan turbine mounts on the 3 kW pump and turbine test set base unit. The working section
of the turbine outlet is transparent. The turbine guide vanes are individually adjustable. The unit
includes three interchangeable rotors, each with different blade angles. The centrifugal pump on
the base unit powers the turbine. Water from the turbine outlet discharges back into the base unit
tank and recirculates. A yaw probe indicates the magnitude and direction of the flow from the
turbine outlet. The turbine shaft connects to the base unit dynamometer. This measures torque
and speed.
Working Principle:

The Kaplan turbine is an outward flow reaction turbine, which means that the working fluid
changes pressure as it moves through the turbine and gives up its energy. Power is recovered
from both the hydrostatic head and from the kinetic energy of the flowing water. The design
combines features of radial and axial turbines.

The inlet is a scroll-shaped tube that wraps around the turbine's wicket gate. Water is directed
tangentially through the wicket gate and spirals on to a propeller shaped runner, causing it to
spin.

The outlet is a specially shaped draft tube that helps decelerate the water and recover kinetic
energy.

The turbine does not need to be at the lowest point of water flow as long as the draft
tube remains full of water. A higher turbine location, however, increases the suction that is
imparted on the turbine blades by the draft tube. The resulting pressure drop may lead
to cavitation. Variable geometry of the wicket gate and turbine blades allow efficient operation
for a range of flow conditions. Kaplan turbine efficiencies are typically over 90%, but may be
lower in very low head applications.
Experimental Procedure:
General Start-Up Procedures
Before conducting any experiment, it is necessary to do the following checking to avoid any
misused or malfunction equipment.
1. Please make sure that the water tank is filled with water up to at least 50% of the full
tank.
2. Switch on the main power supply located on the control panel. The instruments should
light up.
3. For the Francis turbine experiment, limit the centrifugal pump speed to 2500 RPM.
4. For the Pelton turbine experiment, limit the centrifugal pump speed to 2500 RPM.
Kaplan Turbine Installation:
1. Install the Kaplan as shown in Figure.

2. Install the blade as shown in Figure.

3. Fix 2 ring nuts (longer one) at either 2 holes (cross each other). Then push the acrylic
towards the housing as shown in Figure. Remove the 2 ring nuts after the acrylic fixed.
 4. Fasten four ring nuts (shorter one) as shown in Figure 20. Plug in the tube into the
pneumatic plug.

5. The Kaplan turbine is ready for experiments.

Effect of the Guide Blade Opening Angles under Varied Load Conditions
 Turn on the centrifugal pump by pushing the green button.

 Set the pump speed to the maximum.

 Open the bleeding valve to ensure no air contained in the tube that is connected to the
input spear valve pressure transmitter. Once the air is released, closed the valve
immediately.

 Monitor the PT4 indicator reading and the set the guide vane until the pressure
reading is approximately indicating “2.23” by turning the handle against the water
 inlet direction. It may be necessary to slacken the retaining ring screws by a small
amount. Fix back the ring screw once the vane position is fixed.

 Turn on the load switch L1 by flicking up the switch while the rest of the load switch
remains off (L2-L5 switch pointing downward). Observe the changes and record
down all the parameters shown on the panel.

 Change the turbine blade to a different angle by unscrewing the Perspex cover.
Secure back the Perspex once the turbine blade is switched.

 Repeat step 5 by varying the load switch combination in at least 8 different

combinations.

 Repeat step 4-7 by changing the turbine blade angle.

Results and Discussion:

1. Calculate the following:

 Power generated
  Turbine input power
 Turbine efficiency
2. Plot a graph for the power generated versus turbine speed for each turbine blade.
3. Plot a graph for the turbine efficiency versus turbine speed for each turbine blade.
Observations:

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 LAB REPORT

Prepare the Lab Report as below:

TITLE:

OBJECTIVE:

APPARATUS:

PROCEDURE:
(Note: Use all steps you studied in LAB SESSION of this lab to write procedure and to
complete the experiment)

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DISCUSSION:

Q1.: What is the difference between Pelton and Kaplan turbine?

Q2.: What is the function of pressure transmitter in multi turbine test equipment?

Conclusion /Summary

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