Francis Turbine Manual
Francis Turbine Manual
Francis Turbine Manual
INTRODUCTION:
Hydraulic (or water) turbines are the machines which use the energy of
water (Hydro-power) and convert it into mechanical energy. Thus the turbine
becomes the prime mover to run the electrical generators to produce the
electricity, Viz., Hydro-electric power.
The turbines are classified as Impulse & Reaction types. In impulse
turbine, the head of water is completely converted into a jet, which impulses the
forces on the turbine.
water, which rotates the runner of the turbine. Of many types of turbine, the
Pelton wheel, most commonly used, falls into the category of turbines. While
Francis & Kaplan falls in category of impulse reaction turbines.
Normally, Pelton wheel (impulse turbine) requires high heads and low
discharge, while the Francis & Kaplan (reaction turbines) required relatively
low heads and high discharge. These corresponding heads and discharges are
difficult to create in laboratory size from the limitation of the pumps availability
in the market.
Further,
DESCRIPTION :
While the impulse turbine is discussed elsewhere in standard text books,
Francis turbine, the reaction type which is of present concern consists of main
components such as propeller (runner) scroll casing and draft tube.
Between
the scroll casing and the runner, the water turns through right angle and passes
through the runner and thus rotating the runner shaft.
are varied, high efficiency can be maintained over wide range of operating
conditions.
The actual experimental facility supplied consists of a centrifugal pump
set, turbine unit, sump tank and Venturimeter arranged in such a way that the
whole unit works on recirculating water system.
supplies the water from the sump tank to the turbine through gate valve. The
water after passing through the turbine unit enters back to the sump tank
through the draft tube. The water then flows back to the sump tank through the
Venturimeter with pressure gauges for the measurement of flow rate.
The loading of the turbine is achieved A.C. Generator. The provision for
; measurement of brake force (voltmeter and ammeter), turbine speed (digital
RPM indicator), head on the turbine (pressure gauge), head over the
Venturimeter (pressure, vacuum gauge, 2 Nos) are built-in on to the control
panel.
The water enters a volute casing which completely surrounds the runner.
The cross sectional area of volute decreases along the fluid path in such a way
as to keep the fluid velocity constant in magnitude. From the volute the fluid
passes between stationary guide vanes, mounted all around the periphery of the
runner. The function of these guide vanes is to direct the fluid on to the runner
at required angle. Each vane is pivoted and by a suitable mechanism all may be
turned in synchronism so as to alter the flow rate of the machine. In its passage
through the runner the fluid is deflected by the runner blades so that angular
momentum is changed. From the centre of the runner the fluid is turned to axial
direction and flows to tail race via the draft tube. The lower end of the draft
tube must, under all conditions of operation, be submerged below the level of
water in the tail race. Only in this way it can be ensured that a turbine is full of
water.
THEORY:
Francis turbine is a inward mixed flow reaction turbine named after the
American Engineer James B. Francis. In a Francis Turbine, water enters the
runner at its outer periphery and flows out axially at its centre.
This
arrangement provides a large discharge area with the given diameter of the
runner. A part of the net available energy of the water is converted into kinetic
energy and the rest of the major portion remains as pressure energy, as water
enters the runner. The runner rotates due to reaction pressure caused by the
pressure difference at the runner entry and exit.
The principal component parts of Francis Turbine are:
1. Scroll casing: Its a spiral shaped closed passage of gradually reducing
cross-sectional area, enclosing the runner. Its function is to distribute the
flow uniformly along the periphery of the runner in such a way that the
velocity remains constant at every point.
2. Guide Mechanism: There are two main functions of the guide mechanism
(a) To regulate the quantity of water supplied to the runner and (b) To
adjust the direction of flow so that there is minimum shock at the
entrance to runner blades.
guide wheel. Each guide vane can be rotated about its pivot centre,
which is connected to a regulating ring by means of a link and lever. By
operating the regulating ring the guide vanes can be rotated, varying the
width of the passage between adjacent vanes, thus altering both the flow
angle as well as the quantity of flow.
3. Runner: The runner consists of a series of curved vanes arranged evenly
around the circumference, in the annular space between two plates. It
may be cast in one piece or made of separate steel plates welded together.
The runner vanes are so shaped that water enters radially at the outer
periphery and leaves it axially at the inner periphery. This change in the
direction of flow from radial to axial as it passes over the curved vanes
changes the angular momentum of the fluid thereby producing the torque,
which rotates the runner. The runner is keyed to shaft of the turbine.
4. Draft tube: It is a gradually expanding closed passage connecting the
runner to the tailrace (collecting tank). The lower end of the draft tube is
always kept submerged in water. The function of a draft tube is to
convert the high kinetic energy of flow at runner exit into pressure
energy, thus increasing the efficiency of the turbine. It also enables the
turbine to be installed above the tail race level without any loss of head.
SPECIFICATIONS
Turbine
Run-away speed
- 1900 rpm (approx.)
Loading
Provisions
Cd = 0.91
Two gauges to measure head
on Venturimeter.
b) Head on turbine by pressure
gauge of range : 0-2 and
Kg/cm2 and vacuum gauge : 760
mm of Hg.
c) Electrical load changed by
Alternator assembly connected to
electrical switches.
d) Electrical load measurement by
energy meter
e) Propeller speed by digital RPM
indicator.
f) Supply water control by
butterfly valve.
Electrical Supply
NOTE: Volume of water required for operation unit - 2500 ltr (approx.)
OPERATION (General):
1. Connect the supply pump-motor unit to 3 ph, 440V, 32A, electrical supply,
with neutral and earth connections and ensure the correct direction of pumpmotor unit.
2. Ensure that all the three indicators are glowing.
3. Keep the gate closed and switch on the MCB.
4. Keep the electrical load at zero, by keeping all switches in off position.
5. Keep the guide vane for the required position by adjustable wheel (1/4, ,
and full open).
6. Press the green button of the supply pump starter and then release.
7. Slowly, open the gate so that turbine rotor picks up the speed and
Attains
A.
1.
1.
2.
3.
Slowly open the gate and set the pressure on the gauge.
4. For different loads, change the guide vane angle position, and maintain the
constant head and tabulate the results as given in Table.
C.
1.
2.
3. Slowly open the gate to maximum and note down the turbine speed. This is
the run-away speed which is maximum.
NOTE: Run-away speed is also influenced by the tightening in gland packing
of the turbine shaft. More the tightness, less the run-away speed.
D.
(i.e. a
turbine identical in shape, blade angles etc.) which would develop unit
power when working under a unit head. The Ns is usually computed dor
the operating conditions corresponding to the maximum efficiency.
Ns = N P H5/4
TABLE OF CALCULATIONS
Outpu
t
Power,
BPELEC
in
watts
Output
Head on
Hea
Power, Venturimeter,
d
BPSHAFT HV in m of
H
in watts
water
in m
Discharg
e In Q
in m3/s
Hydrauli
c Input,
PHYD in
Watts.
Efficienc
y in %
Specifi
c speed
NS
% of
Full
Unit
Unit
Unit
Loa
speed Power Discharge
d
, Nu
, Pu
, Qu
TABLE OF READINGS
Vane
Position
Voltmeter
reading V volts
Ammeter reading
A amps
Speed
N in
RPM
Delivery
pressure,
P in
Kg/cm2
Suction Pressure, Pv
in mm of Hg.
Pressure on Throat,
PT in Kg/cm2
FORMULAE USED
1. Electrical Power as indicated in energy meter
BPelec = n 60 60 1000
-------------------------- in KW
Ec t
WHERE :
n = No of revolution of energy meter disc
Ec = Energy meter constant =3200
t = Time taken by energy meter for n revolution
0.7 = Transmission efficiency
2. Discharge Rate, Q: Through Venturimeter
Q = Cd (A1A2(2gHv))/(A12-A22)
in m3/s
Nu
N/(H)
b) Unit power,
Pu
P/H3/2
c) Unit discharge, Qu
Q/(H)
5. Specific speed,
N (P)
NS =
H5/4
Part load P
8. Percentage full load =
Max. load P
GRAPHS:
A) For constant head characteristics
a.
b.
c.
100
a.
b.
Efficiency Vs discharge.
c.
BPSHAFT Vs discharge.
LIST OF REFERENCES:
1. Fluid Mechanics and Machinery by H.M. RAGHUNATH.
2. Hydraulics & Fluid Mechanics by Dr. P.N. MODI & Dr. S.M. SETH.
3. 3. Flow Measurement Engineering Hand Book by R.W. MILLER.