Power Plants

Lab Manual

SUBMITTED TO:
Engr. Yasir Hussain Siddiqui

SUBMITTED BY:

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering

& Information Technology,
Rahim Yar Khan
 List of Experiments

Sr. No. Lab Sessions Signature

1. To draw the layout of Power Plant Laboratory.

2. To learn about the working principle of a wind turbine.

3. To study about wind turbine power plant laboratory unit and its control
box.

4. To draw the performance curves of a horizontal axis wind turbine under no

load condition.

5. To draw the performance curves of a horizontal axis wind turbine using

fixed resistors as an electrical load.

6. To draw the performance curves of a horizontal axis wind turbine using

lamps as an electrical load.

7. To draw the performance curves of a horizontal axis wind turbine using

battery (Accumulator) as an electrical load.

8. To compare the performance of a horizontal axis wind turbine under loaded

and unloaded conditions.

9. To study about the working of a Turbo Jet Engine (an application of Gas
Turbine) using Turbo Jet demonstration model.

10. To learn about the working of a stream turbine power plant.

 Lab Session No: 01

Objective:
To draw the layout of Power Plant Laboratory.
 Lab Session No: 02

Objective:
To learn about the working principle of a wind turbine

Wind:
The moving air is called the wind. This movement of air is caused by the difference of air
pressure within our atmosphere. Air moves from high to low pressure. The greater the
difference of air pressure, the faster will be flow of air. Wind is usually described with
direction and speed. Wind has different levels of speed such as breeze (a gentle wind) and
gale (a very strong wind) depending on how fast it blows. On the basis of speed, wind is
described on ‘Beaufort scale’ which divides wind speeds in 12 different categories. Francis
Beaufort (an Irish hydrographer) was the creator of Beaufort scale. Wind velocities according
to Beaufort scale are shown in the table below;

Wind speed v in m/s Description Effect on land

in Beaufort
0 0-0.2 Calm Smoke rises vertically
1 0-1.5 Light air Smoke drifts away easily
2 1.6-3.3 Light breeze Wind noticeable, leaves
rustle
3 3.4-5.4 Gentle breeze Small branches move
4 5.5-7.9 Moderate breeze Loose paper lifted from
the ground
5 8.0-10.7 Fresh breeze Small trees begin to sway
6 10.8-13.8 Strong breeze Audible whistling in
overhead wires
7 13.9-17.1 High wind Effort needed to walk
against the wind
8 17.2-20.7 Gale Large trees sway,
branches break
9 20.8-24.4 Strong gale Tiles fall from the roof
10 24.5-28.4 Storm Trees are uprooted
11 28.5-32.6 Violent storm Thick walls are damaged
12 >32.6 Hurricane Widespread devastation

Tab.1. (Wind velocities according to the Beaufort scale)

Wind Turbine:
A wind turbine is that device which converts kinetic energy of wind into electrical energy via
a wind generator. It has two types

1. Horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT)

2. Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT)

1. Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT):

A wind turbine in which main rotor shaft is in horizontal (parallel with the ground) direction
is called horizontal axis wind turbine. It usually requires a high wind speed and operates at
high rpm. During the working of HAWT high vibration levels may occur. Also some high
level of noise may be possible during its working. In these types of turbines small generators
are pointed into the wind by a simple wind vane. HAWT has advantage of producing more
electricity from a given amount of wind. The disadvantage of HAWT is that it is generally
heavier and does not perform well in turbulent winds. A horizontal axis wind turbine is
shown in the fig. below;

Fig.1. (Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine)

A horizontal Axis Wind Turbine is further divided into two types;

(a) Upwind Turbine

(b) Low Wind Turbine

(a) Upwind Turbine:

The rotor on an upwind turbine is in the front of the unit, positioned similar to a propeller
driven airplane. To keep it oriented into the wind, a yaw mechanism such as a tail is needed.
It is shown in fig. below;
 Fig.2. (Upwind Turbine)

(b) Low Wind Turbine:

The downwind turbine has its rotor on the back side of the turbine. The nacelle typically is
designed to seek the wind, thus negating the need for a separate yaw mechanism. It is shown
in fig. below;

Fig.3. (Low Wind Turbine)

2. Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT):

A wind turbine in which main rotor shaft is in vertical direction (perpendicular to the ground)
is called a vertical axis wind turbine. It is usually designed for a low wind speed and operates
at low rpm. During the working of VAWT there occurs low vibration. Also noise levels are
low in VAWT. These types of turbines operate with wind from any direction. A vertical axis
wind turbine is shown in the fig. below;
 Fig.4. (Vertical Axis Wind Turbine)

Main Parts of a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine:

The main parts of a HAWT are explained below;

Anemometer:
An anemometer measures the wind speed and transmits wind speed data to the controller.

Wind vane:
It measures wind direction and communicates with the yaw drive to orient the turbine
properly with respect to the wind.

Nacelle:
The nacelle sits atop the tower and contains the gear box, low- and high-speed shafts,
generator, controller, and brake. The nacelle is actually the housing or enclosure that seals
and protects the generator and gear box from the elements. It is easily removed for
maintenance of the wind.

Blades:
Blades lift and rotate when wind is blown over them, causing the rotor to spin. Most turbines
have either two or three blades.

Hub:
It is actually central part of the rotor at which the blades are bolted. Hub is fixed to the rotor
shaft which drives the generator through the gearbox.

Rotor:
Blades and hub together form the rotor.
Brake:
Brake is used to stop the rotor mechanically, electrically, or hydraulically, in emergencies.

Controller:
A controller is used to starts the machine at wind speeds of about 8 to 16 miles per hour
(mph) and shuts off the machine at about 55 mph. Turbines do not operate at wind speeds
above about 55 mph because they may be damaged by the high winds.

Low Speed Shaft:

It is the shaft extended from hub to the gearbox. It usually rotates with low rpm

High-speed shaft:
The high speed shaft is used to drive the generator.

Gear box:
It connects the low-speed shaft to the high-speed shaft and increases the rotational speeds
from about 30-60 rotations per minute (rpm), to about 1,000-1,800 rpm which is the
rotational speed required by most generators to produce electricity. The gear box is a costly
(and heavy) part of the wind turbine and engineers are exploring "direct-drive" generators
that operate at lower rotational speeds and don't need gear boxes.

Generator:
Wind power generator converts wind energy (Mechanical Energy) into electrical energy.

Tower:
It is used to support the structure of the turbine. Because wind speed increases with height,
taller towers enable turbines to capture more energy and generate more electricity.

Pitch:
It turns (or pitches) blades out of the wind to control the rotor speed, and to keep the rotor
from turning in winds that are too high or too low to produce electricity.

Yaw drive:
It orients upwind turbines to keep them facing the wind when the direction changes.
Downwind turbines don't require a yaw drive because the wind manually blows the rotor
away from it.

Yaw motor:
It is used to Power the yaw drive.

A Horizontal Axis wind turbine with all of its parts is shown in fig. below;
 Fig.5. (Components of a HAWT)

Working of a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine:

The working principle of a HAWT is very simple. The energy in the wind turns the blades
around the rotor. The rotor is connected to the shaft, which spins the generator to create
electricity. When the rotor blades rotate, then the low speed shaft connected to the hub also
rotates at low rpm. These low rpms are then converted to high rpm through the gearbox thus
turning the high speed shaft at high rpm. This high speed shaft is actually the generator shaft
which runs the generator thus creating the electrical energy. A yaw motor is used to run the
yaw drive. The yaw drive is used to keep the rotor facing into the wind as the wind direction
changes.
 Lab Session No: 03

Objective:
To study about wind turbine power plant laboratory unit and its control box.

Wind Turbine of the Unit (Out Door Unit):

The rotor and the generator with rectifier are the main components of the wind turbine. The
wind turbine can be freely rotated in all directions. A wind vane on the rear part of the
generator housing means the rotor surface is oriented transverse to the wind direction
(upwind design).The generator is connected electrically to the freely movable generator
housing via sliding contacts. Wind turbine is shown in the fig. below;

Fig.6. (Wind Turbine components)

The three rotor blades are connected to the rotary axes by the hub. The pitch of the rotor
blades can be adjusted using these axes. A special mechanism connects the ends of the rotor
blade axes in the housing of the hub. This mechanical control adjusts the pitch of the rotor
blades once the wind velocities have reached speeds above the rated velocity. In this way it is
possible to regulate the performance of the wind turbine above the rated velocity at a constant
value. The mechanical principle of operation of this control system is based on a combination
of centrifugal and aerodynamic forces.

Fig.7. (Opened hub with mechanism for pitch)

Wind Profile:
Wind profile while passing through the rotor blades is shown in the fig. below;

Fig.8. (Wind profile through rotor)

It is clear from the figure that area A1 of wind is smaller before entering to the rotor. It means
that velocity of the wind V1 is greater before entry to the rotor blades. After passing through
the rotor, wind area A2 becomes larger. It means that velocity of wind V2 decreases after
passing through the rotor. It is because some of the velocity (Kinetic energy) of the wind has
been consumed in rotating the rotor blades.

Energy balance of a Wind Turbine:

We can distinguish several different steps during the conversion of wind energy by the wind
turbine to generate electrical energy. The first step involves the conversion of the kinetic
energy of the moving air mass into mechanical rotational energy. The efficiency of the
conversion of kinetic energy into rotational energy is described by the dimensionless power
coefficient cp.

Cp = PR/Pw

This is based on the quotients of the output rotor power PR divided by the total kinetic power
PW contained in the wind based on the swept area.

The maximum power coefficient given by Betz is;

Cp, max = 0.593

Control Box of the Unit (In Door Unit):

The main components of the control box of the unit are shown in the fig. below;

Fig. 9. (Control Box of the unit)

The components of the control box are explained below;

1. Fixed Resistor:
Resistors are the power consuming devices used to dissipate (waste) electrical power in the
form of heat.

2. RPM Display:
It displays RPM of the wind turbine rotor.

3. Charge Controller:
Besides the wind turbine, the charge controller is the most important component of the
system. The charge controller is used to regulate the controlled charging of the accumulator
(Battery). The important thing in this case is that a predetermined charge current is not
exceeded, so as to prevent premature aging or damage to the accumulator. When the charge
end voltage is reached, the charge controller reduces the charge current and stops the charge
cycle completely after a transition phase. Charge controller of the unit is shown in the fig.
below;

Fig.10. (Charge Controller of the unit)

4. Wind Speed Display:

It is used to indicate wind speed in m/s.

5. Lamps:
Lamps are the power consuming devices. Electrical power produced by the wind turbine can
be supplied to the lamps through proper connection to illuminate them. In this case the lamps
will act as the electrical load.
6. Stop Switch:
It is used to switch on the electrical power to the unit by turning it on. It is also used to cut off
electrical power supply to the control unit by switching it off.

7. Discharge Controller:
It is used to switch on the electrical power to the battery when the battery is fully discharged.

8. Accumulator (Battery):
Accumulator is actually a 12 V battery which is to be charged by the electrical energy
provided by the wind generator. Accumulators have become standard for storing electrical
energy in small to medium-sized systems. Accumulators are often the most cost-effective
solution, especially for storage in the short and medium term. Lead-acid accumulators are
usually used in stationary applications where no particular weight saving is required. They
are composed of individual electrochemical cells that in a charged state each supply a cell
voltage of roughly 2 V. A typical 12 V accumulator therefore comprises 6 individual cells.

The most important characteristic variable of an accumulator is given by its capacity. The
capacity is expressed in the unit of ampere hours Ah. As with other types of accumulator, the
service life of a lead-acid accumulator depends on the type of usage. Accumulator cells of the
unit are explained below;

Fig.11. (Individual cells of an accumulator)

9. Inverter:
Inverters feed electric power from a direct current circuit into an alternating current circuit
via an intermediate circuit using semiconductor valves. The required alternating voltage is
provided by switching parts of the intermediate circuit on and off.

10. Fuses:
Fuses are used to protect battery from short-circuit.
Description:
The electrical power generated by wind turbine generator is supplied to the control box via
proper cabling. This electrical power provided by the generator can be used for following
purposes;

1. To charge the battery (A 12 volt battery is supplied with the unit). Charge controller will
be used to control the charging of the battery. Charge controller will disconnect the power
supply to the battery when it becomes fully charged of up to 12 V.

2. To supply the power to the lamps (lamps will serve as electrical load in this case)

3. To dissipate power in the fixed resistors in the form of heat (Fixed resistors will act as
electrical load in his case).

Terms Used in a Wind Turbine Power Plant:

Power Coefficient:
The efficiency of the conversion of kinetic energy into rotational energy is described by the
dimensionless power coefficient cp.

Cp = PR/Pw

This is based on the quotients of the output rotor power PR divided by the total kinetic power
PW contained in the wind based on the swept area

The maximum power coefficient given by Betz is;

Cp, max = 0.593

So according to Betz' Law, a proportion of up to 59% of energy can be extracted from the
wind.

Tip Speed Ratio:

It is the ratio of the peripheral speed Vu of the rotor to the wind speed Vw. it is denoted by
lambda (λ)

λ= Vu/ Vw

Where Vu= Rotor speed

Vw=Wind speed

On the basis of value of lambda, we can compare different wind turbines. Wind turbines with
a tip speed ratio <6are referred to as low speed. Wind turbines with a tip speed ratio >6 are
referred to as high speed.
Angle of attack:
It is the angle between reference line of the blade and and relative wind vector. It is shown in
fig. below;

Fig.12. (Angle of attack of turbine blade)

The blade of a turbine has a cambered design meaning that the top and bottom of the blade
are asymmetrical and curved. Due to this shape, the velocity of the air on either side of the
blade will be different. The air passing below the blade slows down, whilst the air passing
over the top will speed up. Going to Bernoulli’s theorem at a point of low velocity, in this
case the bottom of the wing, there will be an area of high pressure. At the top of the wing, the
air is moving faster, creating an area of low pressure. When this happens, lift is generated and
will cause the turbine to spin. The faster the wind flows, the lower the pressure on the top of
the blade will be. This means the blade will rotate faster as there is less pressure on the top of
the blade to inhibit the motion caused by the high pressure area.
 Lab Session No: 04

Objective:
To draw the performance curves of a horizontal axis wind turbine under no load condition.

Apparatus:
Horizontal Axis wind turbine coupled with control box.

Figure:
System Diagram:

Technical Specifications of Wind Turbine:

Nominal Power = 350 W

Nominal Wind Speed = 12.5 m/s

Cut-in wind Speed (Starting Speed) = 3.5 m/s

Cut-off wind speed = None

Rotor Diameter = 1.20 m

Number of Blades = 3

Blade Material = Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics

Rotor Speed = 500-1300 rpm

Nominal Voltage = 12 VDC

Speed and Power Regulation = Rotor Blade Pitch

Rotor Thrust (operation) = 70 N

Rotor Thrust (Extreme Wind Speed) = 220 N

Max. Power = 350 W

Precautions:
1. Do not approach the running rotor.

2. Never try to stop the rotor by hand.

3. Do not install the wind generator at places where the rotor area could be approached by
persons.

Technical Specifications of Control Box:

Dimensions = LxWxH = 1520x790x1760 mm

Weight = 110 kg (approx.)

Measuring Ranges:

Wind speed = 0.7-50 m/s

Rotational speed: 0-3000 min-1

Accumulator:

Voltage = 12 VDC

Capacity = 8 Ah

Electrical load (lamps):

Voltage = 12 VDC

Power = 55 W (Each)

Procedure:
1. First of all install the wind turbine in a proper location where enough wind is available to
rotate the turbine blades.

2. If there is not enough wind available in real atmosphere, then run the turbine (rotate the
turbine blades) with the help of a wind tunnel. Keep the RPM of the wind tunnel under the
limit of the turbine rotor as very high rpm of the wind tunnel may damage the turbine blades.

3. Connect the output wire of the generator with the control box of the unit so that the
electrical power of the generator can be transferred to the control box.

4. To transfer the electrical power to the control box, adjust the position of stop switch to the
run mode.

5. Now wind speed V1 and rotor speed R1 can be noted on the control panel.
6. The power produced by the wind generator can be measured by the system diagram of the
system software using a computer attached to the control box.

7. Cut off all the connections to the fixed resistors and lamps to keep the generator under no
load condition.

8. Take the record of data using system software.

9. At the end draw the graphs between wind speed V1 (x-axis) and

(a) Rotor Speed R1 (Y-axis)

(b) Power P_W (Y-axis)

(c) Lambda (Y-axis)

(d) Power co-efficient (Y-axis)

(e) Power transferred to charge controller P1 (Y-axis)

(f) Voltage supplied to the charge controller U1 (Y-axis)

(g) Current supplied to the charge controller I1 (Y-axis)

Observations & Calculations:

Sr. Wind Rotor Power Tip Power Power to Voltage Current
No. Speed Speed produced Speed Coefficient the to the to the
‘V1’ ‘R1’ ‘P_W’ Ratio ‘Cp_el’ charge charge charge
(m/s) (rev/min) (W) ‘λ’ controller controller controller
‘P1’ ‘U1’ ‘I1’
(W) (Volt) (amp)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Comments:
 Lab Session No: 05

Objective:
To draw the performance curves of a horizontal axis wind turbine using fixed resistors as an
electrical load.

Apparatus:
Horizontal Axis wind turbine coupled with control box.

Figure:

Technical Specifications of Wind Turbine:

Nominal Power = 350 W

Nominal Wind Speed = 12.5 m/s

Cut-in wind Speed (Starting Speed) = 3.5 m/s

Cut-off wind speed = None

Rotor Diameter = 1.20 m

Number of Blades = 3
Blade Material = Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics

Rotor Speed = 500-1300 rpm

Nominal Voltage = 12 VDC

Speed and Power Regulation = Rotor Blade Pitch

Rotor Thrust (operation) = 70 N

Rotor Thrust (Extreme Wind Speed) = 220 N

Max. Power = 350 W

Precautions:
1. Do not approach the running rotor.

2. Never try to stop the rotor by hand.

3. Do not install the wind generator at places where the rotor area could be approached by
persons.

Technical Specifications of Control Box:

Dimensions = LxWxH = 1520x790x1760 mm

Weight = 110 kg (approx.)

Measuring Ranges:

Wind speed = 0.7-50 m/s

Rotational speed: 0-3000 min-1

Accumulator:

Voltage = 12 VDC

Capacity = 8 Ah

Electrical load (lamps):

Voltage = 12 VDC

Power = 55 W (Each)

Procedure:
1. First of all install the wind turbine in a proper location where enough wind is available to
rotate the turbine blades.
2. If there is not enough wind available in real atmosphere, then run the turbine (rotate the
turbine blades) with the help of a wind tunnel. Keep the RPM of the wind tunnel under the
limit of the turbine rotor as very high rpm of the wind tunnel may damage the turbine blades.

3. Connect the output wire of the generator with the control box of the unit so that the
electrical power of the generator can be transferred to the control box.

4. To transfer the electrical power to the control box, adjust the position of stop switch to the
run mode.

5. Now wind speed V1 and rotor speed R1 can be noted on the control panel.

6. The power produced by the wind generator can be measured by the system diagram of the
system software using a computer attached to the control box.

7. Complete the connection providing electrical power to the fixed resistor. Cut off the
connection providing the power to the lamps. The resistors will act as the power consuming
devices here and will dissipate the electrical power in the form of heat. The resistance value
of these resistors is fixed and it cannot be varied.

8. Take the record of data using system software.

9. At the end draw the graphs between wind speed V1 (x-axis) and

(a) Rotor Speed R1 (Y-axis)

(b) Power P_W (Y-axis)

(c) Lambda (Y-axis)

(d) Power co-efficient (Y-axis)

(e) Power transferred to the fixed resistors P2 (Y-axis)

(f) Voltage supplied to the fixed resistors U2 (Y-axis)

(g) Current supplied to the fixed resistors I2 (Y-axis)

Observations & Calculations:
Sr. Wind Rotor Power Tip Power Power to Voltage Current
No. Speed Speed produced Speed Coefficient the fixed to the to the
‘V1’ ‘R1’ ‘P_W’ Ratio ‘Cp_el’ resistors fixed fixed
(m/s) (rev/min) (W) ‘λ’ ‘P2’ resistors resistors
(W) ‘U2’ ‘I2’
(Volt) (amp)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Comments:
 Lab Session No: 06

Objective:
To draw the performance curves of a horizontal axis wind turbine using lamps as an electrical
load.

Apparatus:
Horizontal Axis wind turbine coupled with control box.

Figure:

Technical Specifications of Wind Turbine:

Nominal Power = 350 W

Nominal Wind Speed = 12.5 m/s

Cut-in wind Speed (Starting Speed) = 3.5 m/s

Cut-off wind speed = None

Rotor Diameter = 1.20 m

Number of Blades = 3
Blade Material = Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics

Rotor Speed = 500-1300 rpm

Nominal Voltage = 12 VDC

Speed and Power Regulation = Rotor Blade Pitch

Rotor Thrust (operation) = 70 N

Rotor Thrust (Extreme Wind Speed) = 220 N

Max. Power = 350 W

Precautions:
1. Do not approach the running rotor.

2. Never try to stop the rotor by hand.

3. Do not install the wind generator at places where the rotor area could be approached by
persons.

Technical Specifications of Control Box:

Dimensions = LxWxH = 1520x790x1760 mm

Weight = 110 kg (approx.)

Measuring Ranges:

Wind speed = 0.7-50 m/s

Rotational speed: 0-3000 min-1

Accumulator:

Voltage = 12 VDC

Capacity = 8 Ah

Electrical load (lamps):

Voltage = 12 VDC

Power = 55 W (Each)
Procedure:
1. First of all install the wind turbine in a proper location where enough wind is available to
rotate the turbine blades.

2. If there is not enough wind available in real atmosphere, then run the turbine (rotate the
turbine blades) with the help of a wind tunnel. Keep the RPM of the wind tunnel under the
limit of the turbine rotor as very high rpm of the wind tunnel may damage the turbine blades.

3. Connect the output wire of the generator with the control box of the unit so that the
electrical power of the generator can be transferred to the control box.

4. To transfer the electrical power to the control box, adjust the position of stop switch to the
run mode.

5. Now wind speed V1 and rotor speed R1 can be noted on the control panel.

6. The power produced by the wind generator can be measured by the system diagram of the
system software using a computer attached to the control box.

7. Complete the connection providing electrical power to the lamps. Cut off the connection
providing the power to the fixed resistors. The lamps will act as the power consuming devices
here and will dissipate the electrical power in the form of light.

8. Take the record of data using system software.

9. At the end draw the graphs between wind speed V1 (x-axis) and

(a) Rotor Speed R1 (Y-axis)

(b) Power P_W (Y-axis)

(c) Lambda (Y-axis)

(d) Power co-efficient (Y-axis)

(e) Power transferred to the lamps P4 (Y-axis)

(f) Voltage supplied to the lamps U4 (Y-axis)

(g) Current supplied to the lamps I4 (Y-axis)

`
Observations & Calculations:
Sr. Wind Rotor Power Tip Power Power to Voltage Current
No. Speed Speed produced Speed Coefficient the to the to the
‘V1’ ‘R1’ ‘P_W’ Ratio ‘Cp_el’ lamps lamps lamps
(m/s) (rev/min) (W) ‘λ’ ‘P4’ ‘U4’ ‘I4’
(W) (Volt) (amp)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Comments:
 Lab Session No: 07

Objective:
To draw the performance curves of a horizontal axis wind turbine using battery
(Accumulator) as an electrical load.

Apparatus:
Horizontal Axis wind turbine coupled with control box.

Figure:

Technical Specifications of Wind Turbine:

Nominal Power = 350 W

Nominal Wind Speed = 12.5 m/s

Cut-in wind Speed (Starting Speed) = 3.5 m/s

Cut-off wind speed = None

Rotor Diameter = 1.20 m

Number of Blades = 3
Blade Material = Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics

Rotor Speed = 500-1300 rpm

Nominal Voltage = 12 VDC

Speed and Power Regulation = Rotor Blade Pitch

Rotor Thrust (operation) = 70 N

Rotor Thrust (Extreme Wind Speed) = 220 N

Max. Power = 350 W

Precautions:
1. Do not approach the running rotor.

2. Never try to stop the rotor by hand.

3. Do not install the wind generator at places where the rotor area could be approached by
persons.

Technical Specifications of Control Box:

Dimensions = LxWxH = 1520x790x1760 mm

Weight = 110 kg (approx.)

Measuring Ranges:

Wind speed = 0.7-50 m/s

Rotational speed: 0-3000 min-1

Accumulator:

Voltage = 12 VDC

Capacity = 8 Ah

Electrical load (lamps):

Voltage = 12 VDC

Power = 55 W (Each)
Procedure:
1. First of all install the wind turbine in a proper location where enough wind is available to
rotate the turbine blades.

2. If there is not enough wind available in real atmosphere, then run the turbine (rotate the
turbine blades) with the help of a wind tunnel. Keep the RPM of the wind tunnel under the
limit of the turbine rotor as very high rpm of the wind tunnel may damage the turbine blades.

3. Connect the output wire of the generator with the control box of the unit so that the
electrical power of the generator can be transferred to the control box.

4. To transfer the electrical power to the control box, adjust the position of stop switch to the
run mode.

5. Now wind speed V1 and rotor speed R1 can be noted on the control panel.

6. The power produced by the wind generator can be measured by the system diagram of the
system software using a computer attached to the control box.

7. Complete the connection providing electrical power to the battery. Cut off the connection
providing the power to the fixed resistors and lamps. The battery will act as the power
consuming devices here and will be charged using electrical energy. Here charge controller
will be used to control the charging of the battery. When the battery will be fully charged, the
charge controller will cut off power supply to the battery. When the battery is discharged,
then the charge controller will switch on the power supply to the battery and will begin to
charge the battery until it is full charged.

8. Take the record of data using system software.

9. At the end draw the graphs between wind speed V1 (x-axis) and

(a) Rotor Speed R1 (Y-axis)

(b) Power P_W (Y-axis)

(c) Lambda (Y-axis)

(d) Power co-efficient (Y-axis)

(e) Power transferred to the battery P3 (Y-axis)

(f) Voltage supplied to the battery U3 (Y-axis)

(g) Current supplied to the battery I3 (Y-axis)

`
Observations & Calculations:
Sr. Wind Rotor Power Tip Power Power to Voltage Current
No. Speed Speed produced Speed Coefficient the to the to the
‘V1’ ‘R1’ ‘P_W’ Ratio ‘Cp_el’ battery battery battery
(m/s) (rev/min) (W) ‘λ’ ‘P3’ ‘U3’ ‘I3’
(W) (Volt) (amp)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Comments:
 Lab Session No: 08

Objective:
To compare the performance of a horizontal axis wind turbine under loaded and unloaded
conditions.

Comments & Discussion:

 Lab Session No: 09

Objective:
To study about the working of a Turbo Jet Engine (an application of Gas Turbine) using
Turbo Jet demonstration model.

Apparatus:

Turbo Jet Demonstration Model

Figure:
Compressor Combustion Chamber

Turbine Nozzle

Turbojet Engine:
Gas turbines are particularly suited for aircraft propulsion because of their favourable power
to weight ratio. The turbojet engine is commonly used for this purpose as shown in fig.
below;

Air In Gas out

Diffuser Nozzle

C Combustion Chamber T
T = Turbine; C = Compressor

This type of engine consists of three main sections, diffuser, gas generator and the nozzle.
The diffuser placed before the compressor decelerates the incoming air relative to engine. A
pressure rise known as ram effect is associated with this deceleration. The gas generator
section consists of a compressor, combustion chamber and the gas turbine. In compressor this
high pressure air coming from the diffuser is compressed. This compressed air is then heated
by the fuel in the combustion chamber. This heated air is then expanded in the turbine. The
gases leave the turbine at a pressure significantly higher than atmospheric pressure and
expand through the nozzle at a high velocity. The overall change of velocity of gases relative
to the engine gives rise to the propulsive force or thrust to the engine. Some turbojets are
equipped with an afterburner. Afterburner is a reheat device in which additional fuel is
injected into the gas exiting the turbine and burned producing a high temperature at the
nozzle inlet which will increase its inlet velocity resulting in increased thrust.

Cycle of Operation:
3

T 5

Explanation:
a-1: Isentropic compression in diffuser

1-2: Isentropic compression in compressor

2-3: Constant pressure heat addition in combustion chamber

3-4: Isentropic expansion in gas turbine

4-5: Isentropic expansion in nozzle

5-a: Constant pressure heat rejection in atmosphere (Open cycle gas turbine)

If the burned gases after the turbine or nozzle reject heat in the atmosphere then it is called
open cycle gas turbine. If the hot exhaust rejects heat in the heat exchanger and then enters
again to the compressor after cooling, then it is a closed cycle gas turbine.
 Lab Session No: 10

Objective:
To learn about the working of a stream turbine power plant.

Steam Power plant:

A steam power plant continuously converts the energy stored in fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural
gas) or radioactive fuels (Uranium, Thorium) into shaft work and ultimately into electricity.
The working fluid is water which is sometimes in liquid phase and sometimes in vapour
phase during its cycle of operations. Figure below illustrates a fossil fuelled power plant as a
bulk energy converter from fuel to electricity using water as a working medium. Energy
released by burning of fuel is transferred to water in the boiler to generate steam at high
temperature and pressure which then expands in the turbine to a low pressure to produce shaft
work. The steam leaving the turbine is condensed into water in the condenser where cooling
water from a river or sea circulates carrying away the heat released during condensation. The
water (condensate) is then fed back to the boiler by the pump and the cycle goes on repeating
itself.

Fig. (Steam Power Plant Schematic Diagram)

Where;
Q1 = Heat Transferred to the working fluid

Q2 = Heat Rejected from the working fluid

WT = Work Transferred from the working fluid

WP = Work Transferred into the working fluid

B= Boiler; T = Turbine; C= Condenser; P= Pump;

mf = Mass of fuel; C.V = Calorific Value of fuel;

Rankine Cycle:
Many of the impracticalities associated with the Carnot cycle can be eliminated by
superheating the steam in the boiler and condensing it completely in the condenser, as shown
schematically on a T-s diagram in Fig. below;

Fig.( Simple Ideal Rankine Cycle)

The cycle that results is the Rankine cycle, which is the ideal cycle for vapour power plants.
The ideal Rankine cycle does not involve any internal irreversibilities and consists of the
following four processes;

1-2: Isentropic compression in a pump

2-3: Constant pressure heat addition in a boiler

3-4: Isentropic expansion in a turbine

4-1 Constant pressure heat rejection in a condenser

Explanation of the Cycle:
Water enters the pump at state 1 as saturated liquid and is compressed isentropically to the
operating pressure of the boiler. The water temperature increases somewhat during this
isentropic compression process due to a slight decrease in the specific volume of water.

Water enters the boiler as a compressed liquid at state 2 and leaves as a superheated vapour at
state 3. The boiler is basically a large heat exchanger where the heat originating from
combustion gases, nuclear reactors, or other sources is transferred to the water essentially at
constant pressure.

The superheated vapour at state 3 enters the turbine, where it expands isentropically and
produces work by rotating the shaft connected to an electric generator. The pressure and the
temperature of steam drop during this process to the values at state 4, where steam enters the
condenser. At this state, steam is usually a saturated liquid–vapour mixture with a high
quality.

Steam is condensed at constant pressure in the condenser, which is basically a large heat
exchanger, by rejecting heat to a cooling medium such as a lake, a river, or the atmosphere.
Steam leaves the condenser as saturated liquid and enters the pump, completing the cycle.