ABSTRACT

A Pelton-wheel impulse turbine is a hydro mechanical energy conversion

device which converts gravitational energy of elevated water into mechanical work. This
mechanical work is converted into electrical energy by means of running an electrical
generator. The kinetic energy of the Water-jet is directed tangentially at the buckets of
a Pelton-wheel. The Water-jet strikes on each bucket’s convex profile splitter and get
split into two halves. Each half is turned backwards, almost through 180° relative to
the bucket on a horizontal plane. Practically this angle may vary between 165° to 170°.
Normally all the jet energy is used in propelling the rim of the bucket wheel. Invariably
some jet water misses the bucket and passes onto the tail race without doing any
useful work.
This hydro device is a good source of hydro-electrical energy conversion for
a high water head. The present work in this research paper deals with some advanced
modifications in the conventional Pelton-wheel so that it can be used for low-head and
heavy-discharge applications. Both kinetic and potential energy of the water source is
consumed by the runner wheel. Considerable gravitational effect of the water jet is
exploited by means of some modifications in a conventional Pelton wheel. A
comparatively heavy generator can be run by this modified Pelton-wheel turbine under
low head and heavy-discharge conditions. The modified features provide enough
promising opportunities to use this turbine for Mini and Micro hydro power plants.
 INTRODUCTION
Hydro-power is an ancient resource of green electricity. Water from the
rivers, lakes, ponds and plants evaporates due to sunlight heating. This results in the
rise of water vapor against the gravitational pull of the earth. In the atmosphere, it
cools and condenses into drops of rain and snow, which falls on hills and mountains. A
considerable amount of solar energy is still retained in the water in the form of
gravitational potential energy. Therefore, solar energy is the ultimate source of hydro
energy which basically represents stored gravitational energy. It is understood that
water continuously flows on the earth surface to reach the sea. This happens because
of the spherical shape of the earth that tenders a natural gravitational pull on surface
water.
The amount of stored hydro energy is directly proportional to the height and
amount of the water above sea level. A turbine is the mechanical device which
consumes the hydro energy of an elevated water level by means of pressure energy (in
the case of a reaction turbine) or by means of kinetic energy (in the case of an impulse
turbine). The hydro energy consumed by a turbine is passed to the electrical generator
shaft in the form of mechanical energy. A Pelton-wheel is a tangential flow free-jet-
impulse turbine named after an American engineer, Lesser Pelton. It is simple, robust
and the only hydraulic turbine which operates efficiently on high heads in excess of 450
m. The working pressure in this turbine remains atmospheric only. It possesses simple
construction and smooth running features with good performance characters.
 HYDROTURBINE
Hydro turbines are devices used in hydroelectric generation plants that transfer the
energy from moving water to a rotating shaft to generate electricity. These turbines
rotate or spin as a response to water being introduced to their blades. These turbines
are essential in the area of hydropower - the process of generating power from
water.

Generally, the construction of turbines is the same. A row of blades is fitted to some
rotating shaft or plate. Water is then passed through the turbine over the blades,
causing the inner shaft to rotate. This rotational motion is then transferred to a
generator where electricity is generated. There are a variety of different types of
turbines that are best used in different situations. Each type of turbine is created to
provide maximum output for the situation it is used in.
TYPES OF TURBINES
Impulse Turbine
In impulse turbines, the pressure of the liquid doesn't change in the turbine itself.
Instead, pressure changes occur only in the nozzles that direct water flow to the
turbine, while the turbine itself operates at atmospheric pressure. These turbines
are composed of a jet nozzle or series of nozzles that direct water to the blades of
a turbine. Multiple nozzles are usually used where a large wheel isn't feasible.
When the water strikes the blades (designed specially to reduce drag), It changes
velocity. This leads to a change in momentum, exerting a force on the turbine
blades. These turbines rely on the ability to take all kinetic energy from the water to
have high efficiencies. Unlike reaction turbines, impulse turbines do not need to be
submerged. Types of impulse turbines include Pelton turbines, Turgo turbines, and
Crossflow turbines
Reaction Turbine
In reaction turbines, the pressure of the water changes as it moves through the blades of
the turbine. Unlike in an impulse turbine, the reaction turbine directly uses water
pressure to move blades instead of relying on a conversion of water pressure to kinetic
energy. This means that reaction turbines need to be submersed in water. Additionally,
components of these turbines must be able to handle high pressure levels inside the
turbine. Here, the fluid velocity and reduction in water pressure causes a reaction on the
turbine blades, moving them. Types of reaction turbines include Kaplan turbines and
Francis turbines. able to handle high pressure levels inside the turbine. Here, the fluid
velocity and reduction in water pressure causes a reaction on the turbine blades, moving
them. Types of reaction turbines include Kaplan turbines and Francis turbines.
PELTON TURBINE:
A Pelton turbine or Pelton wheel is a type of hydro turbine (specifically
an impulse turbine) used frequently in hydroelectric plants. These
turbines are generally used for sites with heads greater than 300
meters. This type of turbine was created during the gold rush in 1880 by
Lester Pelton. The water in a Pelton turbine is moving quickly (high
velocity head, figure 2) and the turbine extracts energy from the water
by slowing the water down, which makes this an impulse turbine.

When used for generating electricity, there is usually a water reservoir

located at some height above the Pelton turbine. The water then flows
through the penstock to specialized nozzles that introduce pressurized
water to the turbine. To prevent irregularities in pressure, the penstock
is fitted with a surge tank that absorbs sudden fluctuations in water
that could alter the pressure.[ Unlike other types of turbines which are
reaction turbines, the Pelton turbine is known as an impulse turbine. Figure 1. A Pelton turbine
DESIGN:
The Pelton turbine has a fairly simplistic design. A large
circular disk is mounted on some sort of rotating shaft known
as a rotor. Mounted on this circular disk are cup shaped
blades known as buckets evenly spaced around the entire
wheel. Generally, the buckets are arranged in pairs around
the rim.Then nozzles are arranged the wheel and serve the
purpose of introducing water to the turbine. Jets of water
emerge from these nozzles, tangential to the wheel of the
turbine. This causes the turbine to spin as a result of the
impact of the water jets on the buckets.
WORKING PRINCIPLE
 Water jets emerging strike the buckets at splitter.
 Stream flow along the inner curve of the bucket and leave it in the direction
opposite to that of incoming jet.
 The high pressure water can be obtained from any water body situated at
some height or streams of water flowing down the hills.
 The change in momentum (direction as well as speed) of water stream
produces an impulse on the blades of the wheel of Pelton Turbine. This
impulse generates the torque and rotation in the shaft of Pelton Turbine.
 Iron/Steel casing to prevent splashing of water and to lead water to the tail
race
DIAGRAM

Figure 2. A nozzle turns hydraulic head into a high velocity

(with high velocity head) stream of water which hits the
Pelton turbine and makes it spin. The water coming out the
bottom has very little energy left.
 System component
The conduit bringing high-pressure water to the impulse wheel is called the
penstock. Originally the penstock was the name of the valve, but the term
has been extended to include all of the fluid supply hydraulics. Penstock is
now used as a general term for a water passage and control that is under
pressure, whether it supplies an impulse turbine or not.

PARTS OF PELTON TURBINE

• Nozzle and Flow Regulating Arrangement
• Runner and Buckets
• Casing
• Braking Jet
Pelton Wheel Turbine Construction or Parts:

Casing :
The Pelton wheel casing prevents the splashing of water and it will provide a discharge of water from the nozzle
to the tailrace.
The casing surrounding the wheel has no hydraulic function to perform, unlike the reaction turbine where the
casing plays an important hydraulic function.
Spear:
Needle Spear will control the water flow and it moves insides the nozzle and provides smooth flow so there can
be very less energy loss.
When the nozzle is completely closed by moving the spear in the forward direction the amount of water striking
the runner is reduced is zero but the runner due to inertia continues revolving for a long time.
Break Nozzle:
To stop the runner to rest in a short time a breaking jet is provided which directs the water on the bucket. this is
called breaking jet.
Runner or Rotor:
A Pelton wheel has a runner that rotates and has kinetic energy, at the periphery of the runner equally spaced
hemispherical or double ellipsoidal buckets.
All the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy before it strikes jet hits the rotor blades
Penstock:
These are the channels or pipelines from high head source water is transferred to the actual power station
Pelton Wheel Turbine Advantages:

• The Pelton Turbine simple in design and also the construction is not
complex.
• The water which is clean cannot cause very rapid wear in high heads.
• The overhaul and inspection are much easier than another turbine.
• The overall efficiency is quite high as compared to reaction turbines.
• There is no requirement for the draft tube here.
• It can work on relatively less Q(discharge) of flow rate.
• In the Hydraulic Turbine, it is the most efficient turbine.
Pelton Wheel Turbine Disadvantages:

• In the Pelton turbine, the variation in the operating head cannot be

easily controlled because it works at high heads.
• The ratio of maximum and minimum operating heads can be even
less.
• The operating head cannot be utilized when the variation in the
tailwater level is relatively large when compared to the total head.
• The mechanical efficiency of the Pelton wheel decreases faster
compare to the Francis turbine.
• The size of the runner, generator, powerhouse required is large and
not economical if the Pelton turbine is used instead of the Francis
turbine for the same power generation.
Pelton Wheel Turbine Application:

• The Pelton Turbine wheel turbine is used in Hydro

Power Plant where Less discharge and High Heads
are required.
• This is used to get more velocity of the fluid for
maximum power and efficiency [Because the
turbine and wheel are designed in such a way
that the water jet velocity is twice the rotating
bucket velocity].
• It is also used to drive the generator and who is
attached to the turbine shaft here the Mechanical
energy gets converted into Electrical Energy.
 SPECIFIC SPEED OF TURBINE
The specific speed is the main criterion for matching a
specific hydro-electric site with the optimal turbine type. It
also allows a new turbine design to be scaled from an
existing design of known performance.
Specific speed of a given turbine, Ns is defined as the speed of a hypothetical
turbine, geometrically identical to the given turbine, running at unit head and of
such a size as to develop unit power. It is given by
Ns = N√P/h5/4
Where
N,P, and H are the speed ( in rev. per min), power (in horse
power) and head (in meter) simultaneously of the given turbine

The formula implies that the Pelton turbine is geared most suitably for applications
with relatively high hydraulic head H, due to the 5/4 exponent being greater than
unity, and given the characteristically low specific speed of the Pelton.
CONSTRUCTION OF PELTON TURBINE
This turbine consist a casing with the large circular
window (transparent) kept at the front for visual inspection
of the impact of jet on buckets .
A bearing pedestral, a rotor assembly of shaft runner and
brake drum are mounted on a sturdy cast iron base plate.
Belt over the drum is provided to load the turbine. The
input to the turbine can be controlled by adjusting the
spare position by means of hand wheel fitted with
indicator arrangement.
Size of the buckets:
The length, width and depth of buckets in terms of diameter of jet 'd' is shown in
figure
ய
• Radial length of bucket L-2 to 3d
• Axial width of bucket B=3to5d
• Depth of bucket D=0.8 to 1.2d
Number of buckets(z):
The number of buckets is usually obtained from the following empirical
formula given by Taygun.

z=D/2+15=0.5m+15
Where,
m is the jet ratio.
EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
It consist of a pelton wheel to wheel to a which a brake drum
is coupled. A belt is wound round the brake drum with its ends
tightened by means of screws. The spring balances provided at
both ends. A tachometer is connected to the shaft to measure
the speed of the wheel. A sluice valve is provided near the
outlet end of the supply pipe to feed the water to the nozzle.
A centrifugal pump supplies the water under sufficient head to
the turbine. A pressure gauge is fitted near the sluice valve to
read supply head. The discharge is measured by means of a
notch fitted in the discharging channel.
EXPERIMENTAL SETUP OF PELTON TURBINE
CONCLUSION
The experiment of the thesis was carried out with an acceptable level of accuracy. It was generally
a success as the results obtained were useful for the analysis of the properties of the machine.
From the experimental results, it became possible for the real picture of the operational basis of
the machine to be displayed in such a way that the characteristics of the turbine were visible in
the graphical analysis used. The experiment was not fully accurate due to several errors that
resulted from several misdoings. The greatest being that it became really difficult to acquire
readings from the spring balance since the setup was vibrating as result of the operation of the
machine. There is a huge field of research in this sector for further improvement. The further
recommendations are as follows:
- 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 disposal water can be recycled.
REFERENCES
I. Yassi, Y. (1999) An experimental study of improvement of a micro hydro turbine
performance. University of Glasgow.
2. Thermo fluid Lab manual, University TenagaNasional.
3.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelton wheel
4.
http://www.green-mechanic.com/2014/06/pelton-wheel-turbine.html
5. http://4mechtech.blogspot.com/2014/06/Advantages-and-Disadvantages-of-Impulse-
Turbine.html
6. http://www.oldpelton.net/history/
7.
https://www.scribd.com/doc/138061490/Pelton-Turbine-Report#scribd
8.
http://www.wika.us/products PM en us. WIKA
9. http://www.hiscoi.com/eng/product/product main.html?parent=1
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11. http://www.learnengineering.org/2013/08/pelton-turbine-wheel-hydraulic-turbine.html
12. http://www.ijens.org/1929091%20ijet.pdf
13. http://www.lselectric.com/how-a-pelton-wheel-works/