The thesis includes a literature survey of Pelton turbine, incorporating a historical review. Pelton hydraulic turbines are impulse-type turbo machines commonly used in hydroelectric plants with medium-to-high water head and in various energy recovery applications. This turbine more specifically Pelton wheel will be used to do lab experiment in Fluid Machinery Laboratory. The aim of the present work is to provide detailed performance measurements on a Pelton turbine model, along with the design and geometrical dimensions of its runner/buckets and nozzle. The measurements include the net water head, flow rate and the torque and rotation speed of the runner, from which the corresponding efficiency and shaft power are computed. Flow is varied and head is measured for each variance to calculate the power in the system. Other parameters necessary for the study are also measured and recorded for the study. The results are presented in graphical method and the properties of the graph are used to discuss the properties of the turbine under study. The Pelton wheel under study is of a smaller scale though it acts as a representative of a similar system in large scale.

1. Department of Mechanical & Production Engineering
Ahsanullah University of
Science & Technology

2. Construction and Experimental
Study of a Pelton Turbine
Submitted By :
Istiak Ahmed (11.01.08.021)
Saima Akter Liza (11.01.08.035)
Mohammad Zaber Bin Ismaeel (11.01.08.020)
Under the supervision of
Mr. Mahbubul Muttakin

3. General Review
1

4. Purpose
The purpose of the thesis was to construct a Pelton Turbine with proper
design and to analyze its performance under different static heads.
The main objectives of the thesis were:
 To demonstrate about Pelton wheel for study in fluid machinery lab.
 To determine the performance characteristics values using experimental
procedure.
 To find the performance characteristics curves i.e. to plot-
i. Head vs. Flow rate
ii. Speed vs. Flow rate
iii. Torque vs. Flow rate
iv. Output power vs. Flow rate
v. Output power vs. input power
2

5. What is Hydraulic Turbine?
A hydraulic turbine is a rotary mechanical device that
extracts energy from a fluid flow and converts it into useful work.
3

6. Turbine classification
4
Turbine
Impulse
Pelton
wheel
Reaction
Radial flow
Inward flow
Francis
turbine
Outward flow
Axial flow
Kaplan
turbine
Propeller
turbine
Mixed flow

7. Pelton Turbine
A Pelton wheel is a tangential flow impulse hydraulic machine
that is actively used for the production of power from kinetic
energy of flowing water.
It is ideal for the production of power from low volume water
flows from a high head at a reasonable efficiency.
5

8. How it works…
6

9. Losses & Efficiencies
7

10. Background
8

11. American inventor Lester Allen Pelton (1829-1908) was
the inventor of Pelton Wheel.
9

12. Comparison with other turbines
 This turbine can strictly extract energy from any
fast-moving fluid, for example air, but Pelton
turbine always use water for utmost efficiency.
 They can be made of metal, plastic, ceramic
materials, however, metal is generally
preferred.
 It makes them ideal for hydro-electric power
generation.
10

13. Design
11

14. The total setup is designed in Solidworks
Figure - Isometric view of the full setup
12

15. Wheel & Nozzle position and Torque measurement
arrangement design
Figure: Front view of upper portion of the setup. Figure: : Back view of upper portion of the setup.
13

16. Major Components of the Setup
14

17. Major Components of the Setup
15

18. Torque Measurement Arrangement
Figure: Torque measurement arrangement
16

19. Full view
17

20. IN WORKING CONDITION….
17

21. Construction
Construction of the full setup consists of:
 Penstock
 Nozzle arrangement
 Runner
 Torque measurement arrangement
 Disposal system
18

22. 19

23. Nozzle
&
It’s Arrangement
20

24. 21

25. Torque
Measurement
Setup
22

26. 23

27. Theory
Input power, Pi =γQH
Q= Flow rate (m3/s)
H=Head (m)
γ= specific weight of water
Output power, Po=Tω
=(F1 – F2) ×R× (2πN)/60
T= Torque (N.m)
ω= angular velocity
R= radius of the brake drum (m)
Efficiency, η= Po /Pi
24

28. Results
25

29. Coefficient of velocity,Cv = 0.73
Speed ratio, φ = 0.37
Specific speed, Ns = 2.52
Efficiency, η = 32.81%
26

30. Graphs
27

31. 28

32. 29

33. 30

34. 31

35. 32
DISCUSSION
 No. of buckets
 Jet ratio
 Spring balance
 Tachometer

36. Application
In broader sense Pelton turbine is used to produce
electricity. But this particular turbine will be used
only for lab experiments in fluid machinery
laboratory.
33

37. Limitations
Pressure must not exceed 30 psi as it will be destructive for
the buckets.
Initial load at the brake drum must be low for the same
reason.
Vast amount of water will be wasted due to lack of
recycling system design.
34

38. Future Recommendation
 A DC Motor can be coupled with the shaft to generate
electricity. But this power will be very small.
 Bucket material may be changed. Different materials, such
as stainless steel, carbon steel, composites or melamine can
be used which may improve the efficiency of the pelton
turbine.
 The waste water can be recycled to reduce the water
consumption.
35

39. THANK
YOU
36

40. Any Question
37