Comparative Performance Evaluation of Pelton Wheel and Cross Flow Turbines for Power Generation

Authors : Oyetayo Oyebode, Joshua Olaoye

Pages : 6-12

Doi:10.26701/ems.449884

View : 13 | Download : 9

Publication Date : 2019-03-20

Article Type : Research

Abstract :The performance of two micro hydro power turbines (Pelton Wheel and Cross Flow Turbines) were evaluated at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) dam. The Dam has a net head of 4 m, flow rate of 0.017m 3 and theoretical hydropower energy of 668W. The two turbines were tested and the optimized value of operating conditions namely; angle of inclination (15 o above tangent, tangential and 15 o below tangent), height to impact point (200mm, 250mm and 300mm) and length to impact point (50mm, 100mm and 150mm) were pre-set at their various levels for both Turbines. The optimum values of the process output or measured parameters were determined statistically using a 3 3 X2 factorial experiment in three replicates. An optimum Turbine speed (538.38rpm) in off load condition was achieved at 250mm height to impact point, 150mm length to impact point and angle at tangential inclination. Similar combination also yielded an optimum turbine torque of 46.16kNm for Pelton Wheel Turbine. For the Crossflow Turbine, an optimum turbine speed of 330.09rpm was achieved by pre-setting 250mm height to impact point, 100mm length to impact point and 15º below tangent. Same combination also yielded an optimum turbine torque of 39.07kNm. The optimum Turbine speed (392.02rpm) in on-load condition was achieved at 250mm height to impact point, 150mm length to impact point and angle at tangential inclination. Similar combination also yielded an optimum Turbine Torque of 36.46kNm, optimum Alternator speed of 1768.56 rpm and an optimum output voltage of 7.87 V for Pelton Wheel Turbine while for Cross Flow Turbine, an optimum Turbine Speed of 197.66 rpm was achieved by pre-setting 250mm height to impact point, 100mm length to impact point and 15º below tangent. Same combination also yielded an optimum Turbine Torque of 25.02kNm, optimum Alternator speed of 879.24rpm and an optimum output voltage of 4.05V. Hence, from the results obtained, it was observed that the most efficient turbine at these pre-set conditions was the Pelton Wheel Turbine. This shows that if adequately optimized, the Pelton wheel can perform effectively at low heads.
Keywords : Small hydropower, Pelton wheel turbine, Cross flow turbine, power generation