MELR11 - SOM/FMM LABORATORY

Name : Amishashron Rajavijai Sahidha

Roll Number : 111120011

Ex. No: 8
PERFORMANCE TEST ON FRANCIS TURBINE
Date:21.10.2021

AIM:
To conduct the performance test on Francis Turbine (a) at constant head and (b) at
constant speed.
APPARATUS REQUIRED:
 Centrifugal pump to supply water at required head
 Francis Turbine
 Pipe network system with necessary control valves
 Pressure Gauge and Vacuum Gauge
 Tachometer to measure the speed of the shaft
 Discharge measuring arrangement
 Rope brake with spring balance and weighing pan to measure torque

THEORY:
Francis turbine is a hydraulic machine used to convert hydraulic energy into mechanical
energy which in turn is converted to electrical by coupling a generator to turbine. Francis turbine
is medium head, medium discharge, radially inward flow reaction turbine. Pressure gauge is fixed
to measure the head of water. Using the tachometer, measure the speed of the turbine.

PRINCIPLE
The test is conducted at constant head and constant speed. The output of the turbine is
varied in steps from zero to the rated value and at each output; the speed and head are made
constant by adjusting the inlet valve of turbine (delivery valve of the pump) and the guide vane
opening. The applied load, the water level difference and the constant values of the speed and the
head are noted.
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Schematic diagram of Francis Turbine

PROCEDURE:
1. Prime the pump with water.
2. Keeps the gate opening to the required position.
3. Start the motor.
4. Allow the water into the turbine and the turbine starts to rotate.
5. Fix the weight hanger to the rope of the brake drum with no load on weight hanger.
6. By varying the gate valve, keep the head constant using the tachometer to the required
speed in case of experiment on constant speed.
7. Note down the following readings:
(a) Pressure gauge reading,
(b) Vacuum gauge reading,
(c) Speed of the turbine, N
(d) Hook gauge readings,
(e) Load on weight hanger,
(f) Spring balance reading indicate the frictional loss between the brake drum and
rope,
8. Repeat the step 7 for different load conditions by varying the load on the weight hanger
either to constant head or for constant speed.
9. Take at least 5 sets of readings by varying the load.
10. Calculate the efficiency of the turbine.

OBSERVATION:
 Speed of the turbine = 1800 rpm
 Radius of the drum = 0.15 m
 Density of water = 1000 kg/m3
 Specific weight of water = 9810 N/m3
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TABULATION:

Constant Head, H : 12 m

Speed of
Tangential load at the Head of Dischar Input Output Unit Unit Unit
Hook gauge readings the
Sl.No spring balance water, h ge power power Efficiency speed power discharge
turbine
F, kg S, kg (F-S) Initial Final Diff. m rpm m3/s W W %
1 1 0 1 2.4 9.5 7.1 0.071 1800 0.0158 1859.976 277.124 14.89 519.615 6.667 0.0046

2 2 0.2 1.8 2.4 9.65 7.25 0.0725 1740 0.0163 1918.836 482.925 25.17 502.295 11.617 0.0047

3 3 0.7 2.1 2.4 10.1 7.7 0.077 1670 0.0178 2095.416 591.178 28.21 482.087 14.222 0.0051

Constant speed, N : 900 rpm

Tangential load at the Head of Input Output

Hook gauge readings Head available, H Discharge Efficiency
spring balance water, h power power
Sl.No
Supply Vacuum Datum
F, kg S, kg (F-S) Initial Final Diff. m H m3/s W W %
head head difference
1 1 0.4 0.6 2.5 6.5 4 4 0.45 4.5 0.45 6.15 0.0071 428.354 82.9 19.35

2 2 0.9 1.1 2.5 7.5 5 4.9 0.55 5.5 0.55 7.15 0.0096 673.358 152.6 22.66

3 3 1.2 1.8 2.5 8.7 6.2 6.2 0.65 6.5 0.65 8.15 0.0136 1087.34 249.63 22.96
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CALCULATION:

i) To determine the input power:

Input power = γ Q H (W)
Where,
γ = Specific weight of water (Known value) (N/m3)
(Weight of the water lifted = ρ.g = 1000 x 9.81)
Q = Discharge (Calculated value) (m3/sec)
H = Total head (Measured value) (m)

ii) To determine actual discharge (Qa):

�
� = �� × × � × �� × ��/�
�
Where, Cd – coefficient of discharge (0.6)
l – length of the wire, m (0.47m)
h – head difference b/w initial and final readings of hook gauge, m

iii) Output power

2���
output power =
60
N = speed of the turbine
T = torque in Nm
If spring balance. Torque, T= (F-S) × r × g
Where,
F = dead weight, kg
S = spring balance reading, kg
g= gravitational force, m/s2
r= radius of brake drum in m

iv) To determine the Efficiency (η):

�ℎ��� �����
efficiency = ����� ����� �� �ℎ� ����� �� �ℎ� ������� × 100

v) Unit quantities
 The unit speed is the speed of the turbine operating under one meter head.
�� = �/ �
 The unit discharge is the discharge through a turbine when the head on the turbine is
unity.
�� = �/ �
 The unit power is the power developed by a turbine when the head on the turbine is unity.
�� = �/�3/2

vi) Specific speed

The specific speed of a turbine is defined as the speed of an imaginary turbine, identical
with the given turbine, which develops unit power under unit head.
� �
�� = 5/4
�

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GRAPHS:

I. For Constant Head

1) Discharge vs.Unit Speed

2) Overall efficiency vs. Unit Speed

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3) Power vs. Unit Speed

II. For Constant Speed

1) Discharge vs. Output power

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2) Overall efficiency vs. Discharge

3) Overall efficiency vs. Output power

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RESULTS:

The load test was conducted on Francis turbine at constant speed and constant head. The
following graphs are plotted above :-
a) Overall efficiency vs. Output power
b) Discharge vs. Output power
c) Discharge vs. Overall efficiency
d) Discharge vs.Unit Speed
e) Overall efficiency vs. Unit Speed
f) Power vs. Unit Speed
The specific speed of turbine, Ns(Constant Head) = 1623.89 ms-1
Ns(Constant Speed)= 943.21 ms-1

DISCUSSIONS:

1. What is a reaction turbine?

A reaction turbine is constructed of rows of fixed blades and rows of moving blades. The fixed
blades act as nozzles. The moving blades move as a result of the impulse of steam received
(caused by a change in momentum) and also as a result of expansion and acceleration of the
steam relative to them.

2. What is difference between impulse and reaction turbine?

 In impulse turbine the steam flows through the nozzle and strikes on the moving blades. In
reaction turbine steam first flows through the guide mechanism and then flows through the
moving blades.
 In impulses turbine, steam strikes on the moving blades with kinetic energy only. But in the
reaction turbine, the steam which glides over the moving blades possesses both pressure and
kinetic energy.
 In impulse turbine the pressure of steam remains constant during its flow through the moving
blades. But in reaction turbine, the pressure of steam reduces during its flow through the
moving blades.
 In impulse turbine the steam may or may not be admitted to the whole circumference. In
reaction turbine the steam must be admitted to the whole circumference.

3. What is purpose of draft tube in reaction turbine?

The draft tube is a conduit which connects the runner exit to the tail race where the water is
being finally discharged from the turbine. The primary function of the draft tube is to reduce the
velocity of the discharged water to minimize the loss of kinetic energy at the outlet.

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4. What is mixed flow reaction turbine? Give an example.

A mixed flow turbine can be seen as a cross design between an axial and a radial turbine as it
holds the characteristics of both. In a mixed flow turbine, the inlet flow is at an angle between the
complete radial and the axial design. Compared to a radial turbine, this decreases the flow path
curvature and efficiently reduces secondary flow formation. The mixed flow turbine design
combines concepts of two different types of turbines. This is why the name “mixed flow
turbines” is given. This type of turbine incorporates the designs of axial and radial turbines. For
example, modern car turbochargers utilize mixed flow air intake systems to maximize the
quantity of air entering the engine cylinders. More air means more explosions in the engine
compartment, which in turn produces more power output.

5. Why draft tube is not required in impulse turbine?

Draft tubes are not required for impulse turbine since the runner must be located above the
maximum tail water to permit operation at atmospheric pressure. Without a draft tube, the
pressure could drop because of lack of water, and in turn, the entire turbine could fail to work
and power could be lost. Without this the pressure at the outlet could drop as a result of lack of
water which may adversely affect the efficiency of plant and may even fail to produce desired
power.

6. Mention the efficiencies calculated for turbine.

The overall efficiency for the turbine, at Constant Head, for Trial 1 = 14.89 %
Trial 2 = 25.17 %
Trial 3 = 28.21 %
The overall efficiency for the turbine, at Constant Speed, for Trial 1 = 19.35 %
Trial 2 = 22.66 %
Trial 3 = 22.96 %

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