Optimizing Pelton Turbine Efficiency through Variable Flow Rates: An Experimental Study

Rahmad Hidayat Boli; Rifaldo Pido; Wawan Rauf

doi:10.56741/jnest.v5i02.1791

Optimizing Pelton Turbine Efficiency through Variable Flow Rates: An Experimental Study

Authors

Rahmad Hidayat Boli Universitas Gorontalo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4450-6156
Rifaldo Pido Universitas Gorontalo https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0989-6132
Wawan Rauf Universitas Gorontalo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56741/jnest.v5i02.1791

Keywords:

Efficiency Improvement, Experimental Analysis, Hydropower Optimization, Pelton Turbine, Variable Flow Rates

Abstract

This study experimentally investigates the efficiency characteristics of a laboratory-scale Pelton turbine under variable water flow rates and mechanical loading conditions. Five flow rates (0.04 m³/s, 0.035 m³/s, 0.029 m³/s, 0.024 m³/s, and 0.021 m³/s) were tested by measuring rotational speed, torque, shaft power, and turbine efficiency. The results reveal a nonlinear relationship between load and efficiency for all tested flow rates, with maximum efficiency occurring at intermediate loading conditions. The highest efficiency of 52.727% was obtained at a flow rate of 0.04 m³/s and a load of 12 kg. Were associated with reduced efficiency, which is commonly linked to decreased jet momentum. These findings provide experimental insight into Pelton turbine performance under non-design operating conditions at laboratory scale.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Rahmad Hidayat Boli, Universitas Gorontalo

is a lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Gorontalo. He is a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering student from the University of Gorontalo, graduated in 2016, and is pursuing a Master of Mechanical Engineering degree from the Muslim University of Indonesia, Makassar, in 2018. Currently, he is actively teaching courses in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electrical power engineering, and thermal machines. Specializing in fluid mechanics. His research focuses on fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electrical power engineering, energy conversion, and renewable energy. (email: rh668132@gmail.com)

Rifaldo Pido, Universitas Gorontalo

is a lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Gorontalo. He is a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Gorontalo (2016) and a Master of Mechanical Engineering graduate from the Muslim University of Indonesia, Makassar (2019). Currently, he is actively teaching courses on heat and mass transfer, refrigeration and heating machines, thermal machines, and renewable energy. Majoring in energy conversion. His research focuses on renewable energy, heat transfer, energy conversion, and electrical engineering. (email: rifaldopido@unigo.co.id)

Wawan Rauf, Universitas Gorontalo

is a lecturer in the Mechanical Engineering study program, Faculty of Engineering, University of Gorontalo. He completed his undergraduate education in 2017 (Bachelor of Engineering) and Master of Engineering in 2020 at Hasanuddin University, Makassar. His research focuses on vehicle aerodynamic analysis for fuel efficiency. He is a young lecturer who currently holds the rank of lecturer, with various articles in reputable national and international journals, and has published three books in the field of mechanical engineering. Currently, he actively teaches courses in fluid mechanics, fuel and combustion technology, internal combustion engines and combustion processes, renewable energy, energy conversion and conservation. (email: wawanrauf241193@yahoo.com)

References

M. Khan, H. Ul Hassan, K. Mehmood, T. A. Cheema, and A. Arif, “Design and development of a smart vortex turbine,” in MATEC Web Conf., vol. 381, e01014, 2023, doi: 10.1051/matecconf/202338101014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202338101014

M. A. Qasim, V. I. Velkin, S. E. Shcheklein, A. O. Hanfesh, T. Z. Farge, and F. A. Essa, “A numerical analysis of fluid flow and torque for hydropower Pelton turbine performance using computational fluid dynamics,” Inventions, vol. 7, no. 1, 2022, doi: 10.3390/inventions7010022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions7010022

J. Erazo, G. Barragan, M. Pérez-Sánchez, C. Tapia, M. Calahorrano, and V. Hidalgo, “Geometrical optimization of Pelton turbine buckets for enhancing overall efficiency by using a parametric model—A case study: Hydroelectric power plant ‘Illuchi N2’ from Ecuador,” Energies, vol. 15, no. 23, e9052, 2022, doi: 10.3390/en15239052. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en15239052

G. A. Aggidis and A. Židonis, "Hydro turbine prototype testing and generation of performance curves: Fully automated approach," Renewable Energy, vol. 71, pp. 433–441, Nov. 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2014.05.043

H. Haripuddin, A. Zauqi, M. Y. Mappeasse, and M. Massikki, “The development of pico hydro power plant by utilizing irrigation flow in Kasambang Village of Mamuju Regency,” J. Media Elektr., vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 10–19, 2023, doi: 10.59562/metrik.v21i1.1135. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59562/metrik.v21i1.1135

E. Quaranta and C. Trivedi, “The state-of-the-art of design and research for Pelton turbine casing, weight estimation, counterpressure operation and scientific challenges,” Heliyon, vol. 7, no. 12, e08527, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08527. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08527

H. A. Shah, G. C. Chaudhari, and V. D. Dhima, “Parametric optimization & design of Pelton turbine wheel for hydraulic efficiency improvement,” J. Phys. Conf. Ser., vol. 2007, no. 1, e012019, 2021, doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/2007/1/012019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2007/1/012019

S. Ullah, M. R. Khan, T. Talha, M. N. Bashir, M. A. Khan, and A. Zaib, “A comprehensive review on investigation of sediment erosion of pelton wheel turbine,” vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 152–162, 2022, doi: 10.51846/vol5iss2pp152-162 DOI: https://doi.org/10.51846/vol5iss2pp152-162

B. W. Solemslie and O. G. Dahlhaug, “A reference pelton turbine - design and efficiency measurements,” in IOP Conf. Ser. Earth Environ. Sci., vol. 22, e012004, 2014, doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/22/1/012004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/22/1/012004

H. Yeo et al., “Computational analysis of the performance of a vertical axis turbine in a water pipe,” Energies, vol. 12, no. 20, pp. 1–15, 2019, doi: 10.3390/en12203998. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en12203998

W. Ma et al., “Turbine modeling for steady-state analysis in hydropower plant networks with complex layouts using a modified global gradient algorithm,” Energy Sci. Eng., vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 1251–1269, 2023, doi: 10.1002/ese3.1390. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.1390

D. Cao, Y. Zhou, L. Pan, and J. Wang, “Efficiency measurement on horizontal Pelton turbine by thermodynamic method,” in IOP Conf. Ser. Earth Environ. Sci., vol. 774, no. 1, pp. 0–7, 2021, doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/774/1/012090. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/774/1/012090

A. Mandal, R. Adak, and S. Saha, “Performance enhancement of a 100 watts class Tesla turbine,” 2023, doi: 10.48550/arXiv.2301.01483. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12046-023-02393-9

L. Sandmaier, P. Meusburger, and H. Benigni, “Transient 3D CFD simulation of a Pelton turbine—A state-of-the-art approach for Pelton development and optimisation,” Int. J. Turbomachinery, Propuls. Power, vol. 8, no. 1, e10, 2023, doi: 10.3390/ijtpp8010010. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijtpp8010010

H. Deng et al., “Nozzle jet deviation from bucket pitch circle’s effect on the stability and efficiency of Pelton turbine,” Processes, vol. 11, no. 5, e1342, 2023, doi: 10.3390/pr11051342. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11051342

P. Sivakumar, R. M. Madhusudhan, R. Muthucumaraswamy, and A. Ramamoorthy, “Closed form solution for parabolic flow of an inclined isothermal plate with uniform mass diffusion,” 2023, doi: 10.48550/arXiv.2307.12072.

X. Li, S. Tao, Y. Li, and L. Wan, “A study on the measurement characteristics of the spring-plate flow measurement device,” Water (Switzerland), vol. 15, no. 11, e2092, 2023, doi: 10.3390/w15112092. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w15112092

T. Chu, T. C. Nguyen, J. Wang, and D. Vuong, “New correlations for predicting two-phase electrical submersible pump performance under downhole conditions using field data,” J. Pet. Explor. Prod. Technol., vol. 12, no. 5, pp. 1225–1235, 2022, doi: 10.1007/s13202-021-01392-y. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13202-021-01392-y

H. Hoteit, X. He, B. Yan, and V. Vahrenkam, “Optimization and uncertainty quantification model for time-continuous geothermal energy extraction undergoing re-injection,” Geophysics, pp. 1–44, 2021, doi: 10.48550/arXiv.2112.05544. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4090293

A. Martin-Candilejo, D. Santillán, and L. Garrote, “Pump efficiency analysis for proper energy assessment in optimization of water supply systems,” Water (Switzerland), vol. 12, no. 1, 2020, doi: 10.3390/w12010132. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w12010132

P. V. Rotov, A. A. Sivukhin, M. A. Rotova, R. A. Gafurov, and A. V. Gorshkov, “Circulation management in hot water supply systems,” J. Phys. Conf. Ser., vol. 2150, no. 1, e012034, 2022, doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/2150/1/012034. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2150/1/012034

S. Gautam, S. Chitrakar, H. P. Neopane, B. W. Solemslie, and O. G. Dahlhaug, “Numerical investigation of a Pelton turbine at several operating conditions,” IOP Conf. Ser. Earth Environ. Sci., vol. 1037, no. 1, e012053, 2022, doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1037/1/012053. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1037/1/012053

M. Hoznedl, T. Dadáková, and J. Bém, “Flow and vibration in the small steam turbine last stage,” MATEC Web Conf., vol. 369, e02001, 2022, doi: 10.1051/matecconf/202236902001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202236902001

P. M. Rousseau, A. Soulaïmani, and M. Sabourin, “Efficiency assessment for rehabilitated Francis turbines using URANS simulations,” Water (Switzerland), vol. 13, no. 14, 2021, doi: 10.3390/w13141883. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w13141883

5J. W. Suh et al., “A comparative study of the scale effect on the s-shaped characteristics of a pump-turbine unit,” Energies, vol. 14, no. 3, e525, 2021, doi: 10.3390/en14030525. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en14030525

A. Dragomirescu, “Design considerations for an Archimedean screw hydro turbine,” IOP Conf. Ser. Earth Environ. Sci., vol. 664, no. 1, e012034, 2021, doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/664/1/012034. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/664/1/012034

M. Przybysz, M. J. Łopatka, M. Małek, and A. Rubiec, “Influence of flow divider on overall efficiency of a hydrostatic drivetrain of a skid‐steer all‐wheel drive multiple‐axle vehicle,” Energies, vol. 14, no. 12, e3560, 2021, doi: 10.3390/en14123560. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en14123560

M. R. Amini, B. Jiang, Y. Liao, K. Naik, J. R. R. A. Martins, and J. Sun, “Control co-design of a hydrokinetic turbine: A comparative study of open-loop optimal control and feedback control,” Electr. Eng. Syst. Sci., Syst. Contr., 2023, doi: 10.48550/arXiv.2302.03177.

J. He, X. Guo, S. Wang, H. Chen, and F. X. Chai, “Study on reservoir optimal operation based on coupled adaptive ε constraint and multi-strategy improved Pelican algorithm,” Sci. Rep., vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 1–15, 2023, doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-41447-0. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-41447-0

J. G. Silva, B. Doekemeijer, R. Ferrari, and J. W. van Wingerden, “Active power control of waked wind farms: Compensation of turbine saturation and thrust force balance,” 2021 Eur. Control Conf. ECC 2021, pp. 1223–1228, 2021, doi: 10.23919/ECC54610.2021.9655154. DOI: https://doi.org/10.23919/ECC54610.2021.9655154