ST.

JOSEPH’S COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

HYDRAULICS MACHINES LABORATORY MANUAL Page 1

Expt No:
Date:
LOAD TEST ON KAPLAN TURBINE

AIM

To test the efficiency of Kaplan turbine.

EQUIPMENTS:

(1) Kaplan turbine (2) Supply pump unit to supply water to the Kaplan turbine (3)
flow measuring unit (4) Piping system and (5) FRP Tank (sump)
PROCEDURE:

Make sure before starting that the pipelines are free from foreign matter. Also note
whether all the joints are watertight and leak proof. Fill up clear cold fresh water
through vertical column up to the top level, so that supply pump, delivery piping,
turbine and sump is filled with water.
The Guide vanes in the turbines should be in the closed position while starting the
pump. Then slowly open the butterfly valve situated. Before the turbine is loaded,
open the cock fitted to the pressure gauge and run the turbine at the normal speed
(1500 r.p.m). Check up turbine parts are operating in normal condition .The turbine is
now gradually loaded and readings are taken .To load the turbine, standard dead
weights are provided with the unit. Open the water inlet valve and allow some
cooling water to the brake drum when the turbine runs under load, so that heat
generated by the drum is carried away by the cooling water .Do not suddenly load the
turbine. Load the turbine gradually and at the same time open the guide vanes to run
the turbine at the normal speed.
Turbines shall be first tested at constant net supply head (at the rated value of
5m.) By varying the load, speed and guide vane setting and the runner blade positions.
However the net supply head on the turbines may be reduced and the Turbine tested
in which case the power developed by the turbine and the best Efficiency speed will
also is reduced through the turbine can also be tested at Higher net supply pump set
cannot develop the higher head at the same time
Maintaining higher rate of flow.
The output power from the turbine is calculated from the reading taken on the
brake and the speed of the shaft. The input power supplied to the turbine is calculated
from the net supply head on the turbine and discharge through the turbine. The
Efficiency of the turbine being the ratio between the output and input and can be
determined from these two readings. The discharge is measured (by the 250mm flow
meter and) with the manometer fitted with scale. Supply head is measured with the
help of the pressure gauge.

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

 ST.JOSEPH’S COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

HYDRAULICS MACHINES LABORATORY MANUAL Page 2

After starting and running the turbine at normal speed for the some time, load the
turbine and take the following readings

1 Net supply head

2 Discharge [manometer readings]
3 Turbine shaft speed
4 Brake weight [dead weights plus hanger and rope weight]
5 Spring balance readings

For any particular setting of the vanes and runner blades first run the turbine
at light load and then gradually load it by adding dead weights on the hanger .The net
supply head on the turbine shall be maintained constant at the rated value by adjusting
the gate valve fitted to the turbine .

CALCULATION

Discharge Q = 0.00176 h0.5

Input power = WQH watts

Output power = 2πNRT

60
Specific Speed = N P0.5
H 5/4

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

 ST.JOSEPH’S COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

HYDRAULICS MACHINES LABORATORY MANUAL Page 3

OBSERVATIONS

Brake Drum diameter D= 0.20..m

Rope diameter, d= 0.012… m
Effective Radius, R=……………
Rated output of turbine =……….kW =…………..hp
Hanger weight ,To= 1 kg
Zero error (if any) of spring balance (S) =……….kg

TABULAR COLUMNS

Manometer reading

Discharge = 0.00176 h0.5

Setting of the guide vane

Spring balance reading

Net brake weight T

h1 h2

Weight added T1
Net supply head

Output power
Input power
Shaft speed
Sl.no:

H =(h1-h2)

Efficiency
T2
h=Hx10

T=(T1-T2+T0+S)
m of water

mm of Hg

(N)
cm of Hg

cm of Hg
cm of Hg

m3/sec
r.p.m

9.81
kg
kg

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

 ST.JOSEPH’S COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

HYDRAULICS MACHINES LABORATORY MANUAL Page 4

SAMPLE CALCULATION (Set No…)

RESULT

1. Maximum Efficiency:
2. Specific Speed

INFERENCE

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING