Fluid Mechanics-II

Teacher/Instructor :Engr. Muhammad Sumair

B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering (UET Lahore 2014-2018)

M.Sc. Thermal Power Engineering (UET Lahore 2018-2020)
 Performance of Turbines
• Unit Quantities: In order to predict the behavior of a turbine working
under varying conditions of head, the results are expressed in terms of
quantities which may be obtained when the head on the turbine is
reduced to unity. These quantities are called “Unit Quantities”.The
conditions of the turbine (speed, discharge, and power output) under
unit head are such that the efficiency of the turbine remains
unaffected. The following are the three important unit quantities
which must be studied under unit head:
1. Unit speed,
2. Unit discharge, and
3. Unit power.
 Performance of Turbines (Cont’d)
Below, we discuss these three unit-quantities:
1. Unit Speed (Nu): It is defined as the speed of a turbine working
under a unit head (i.e., under a head of 1 m). It is denoted by “Nu”.
The expression for unit speed (Nu) is obtained as :
Unit Quantities (Cont’d)
 Unit Quantities (Cont’d)
• Unit Discharge (Qu): It is defined as the discharge passing through a
turbine, which is working under a unit head (i.e., 1 m). It is denoted by
the symbol 'Qu'. The expression for unit discharge is
Unit Quantities (Cont’d)
 Unit Quantities (Cont’d)
• Unit Power (Pu): It is defined as the power developed by a turbine,
working under a unit head (i.e., under a head or 1 m ). It is denoted by
the symbol ‘Pu'. The expression for unit power is obtained as:
Unit Quantities (Cont’d)
 Unit Quantities (Cont’d)
• Significance of Unit Quantities: If the head (under which a turbine is
working) changes, the behavior of the same turbine can be easily
known from the values of the unit quantities, i.e., from the values of
unit speed, unit discharge and unit power.

• Using the basic formulae developed earlier for unit speed, unit
discharge and unit power, we can write
 Unit Quantities (Cont’d)

• Hence, if the speed, discharge and power developed by a turbine under

a head are known, then by using above equation, the speed, discharge
and power developed by the same turbine under a different head can
be obtained easily.
 Specific Speed
• Specific Speed of a Turbine (Ns): After studying the behavior of a
turbine under unit conditions, the next step is to know the
characteristics of an imaginary turbine which is identical (in shape,
geometrical dimensions, blade angles, gate opening etc.) with the
actual turbine, but of such a size so as to develop a unit power under a
unit head (i.e., 1 kW under a head of 1 meter). This imaginary turbine
is called the specific turbine, and its speed is known as specific speed.
Thus, the specific speed of a turbine may be defined as the speed of an
imaginary turbine, identical with the given turbine, which will
develop a unit power under a unit head.
• The specific speed is used in comparing the different types of turbines
as every type of turbine has different specific speed.
 Specific Speed (Cont’d)

• Note: In the above relation for specific speed, it is useful to express P

in kW, H in meters and N in r.p.m.
• Significance of Specific Speed: The significant feature of the specific
speed of a turbine is that it is independent of the dimensions or size of
both the actual and specific turbines. It is thus obvious, that all the
turbines which are geometrically similar, working under the same head
and having the same values of speed ratio and flow ratio will have the
same specific speed.
 Specific Speed (Cont’d)
• Selection of Turbines: An engineer is often required to select the type
of turbine, which he should employ for his project. It is a highly
technical job and requires great experience. The selection of turbine is,
generally, based upon the following two factors:
1. Selection based on the specific speed, and
2. Selection based on the head of water.
• The former (i.e., selection based on the specific speed) is a scientific
method, and gives a precise information, whereas the later (i.e.,
selection based on the head of water) is based on experience and
observational factors only.
 Specific Speed (Cont’d)
• Selection based on Specific Speed: Specific speed plays an important
role for selecting the type of the turbine. Also, the performance of a
turbine can be predicted by knowing the specific speed of the turbine.
The type of turbine for different specific speed is given in Table as :
 Specific Speed (Cont’d)
• Selection based on Head of Water: Following table shows the type
of turbine, to be used, for the corresponding head of water.
 Governing of Turbines
• The governing of a turbine is defined as the operation by which the
speed of the turbine is kept constant under all conditions of working. It
is done automatically by means of a governor, which regulates the rate
of flow through the turbines according to the changing load conditions
on the turbine.
• Governing of a turbine is necessary as a turbine is directly coupled to
an electric generator, which is required to run at constant speed under
all fluctuating load conditions. The frequency of power generation by
a generator of constant number of pair of poles under all varying
conditions should be constant. This is only possible when the speed of
the generator, under all changing load condition, is constant. The
speed of the generator will be constant, when the speed of the turbine (
which is coupled to the generator) is constant.
 Governing of Turbines (Cont’d)
• When the load on the generator decreases, the speed of the generator
increases beyond the normal speed (constant speed). Then the speed of
the turbine also increases beyond the normal speed. If the turbine or
the generator is to run at constant (normal) speed, the rate of flow of
water to the turbine should be decreased till the speed becomes
normal. This process by which the speed of the turbine (and hence of
generator ) is kept constant under varying condition of load is called
governing.
• Governing of Pelton Turbine (Impulse Turbine): there are several
methods available for the governing of impulse turbines, yet the most
common is the servomotor method (or relay cylinder method)
Governing of Pelton turbine is done by means of oil pressure
governor, which consists of the following parts:
 Governing of Turbines (Cont’d)
1.Oil sump.
2.Gear pump (Oil pump), which is driven by the power obtained from
turbine shaft.
3.The Servomotor (or relay cylinder).
4.The control valve (distribution valve or relay valve).
5.The centrifugal governor or pendulum which is driven by belt or gear
from the turbine shaft.
6.Pipes connecting the oil sump with the control valve and control valve
with servomotor and
7.The spear rod or needle.
 Governing of Turbines (Cont’d)

Figure 1: A typical arrangement for governing

of impulse turbine
 Governing of Turbines (Cont’d)
• Fig. 1 shows the position of the piston in the relay cylinder, position of
control or relay valve and fly-balls of the centrifugal governor, when
the turbine is running at the normal speed. When the load on the
generator decreases, the speed of the generator increases. This
increases the speed of the turbine beyond the normal speed. The
centrifugal governor, which is connected to the turbine main shaft, will
be rotating at an increased speed.
• Due to increase in the speed of the centrifugal governor, the fly-balls
move upward due to the increased centrifugal force on them. Due to
the upward movement of the fly-balls, the sleeve will also move
upward. A horizontal lever, supported over a fulcrum, connects the
sleeve and the piston rod of the control valve.
 Governing of Turbines (Cont’d)
• As the sleeve moves up, the lever turns about the fulcrum and the
piston rod of the control valve moves downward. This closes the valve
V1 and opens the valve V2 as shown in Fig. 1.
• The oil, pumped from the oil pump to the control valve or relay valve,
under pressure will flow through the valve V2 to the servomotor (or
relay cylinder) and will exert force on the face A of the piston of the
relay cylinder. The piston along with piston rod and spear will move
towards right. This will decrease the area of flow of water at the outlet
of the nozzle. This decrease of area of flow will reduce the rate of flow
of water to the turbine which consequently reduces the speed of the
turbine. When the speed of the turbine becomes normal, the fly-balls,
sleeve, lever and piston rod of control valve come to its normal
position as shown in Fig. 1.
 Governing of Turbines (Cont’d)
• When the load on the generator increases, the speed of the generator
and hence of the turbine decreases. The speed of the centrifugal
governor also decreases and hence centrifugal force acting on the fly-
balls also reduces. This brings the fly-balls in the downward direction.
Due to this, the sleeve moves downward, and the lever turns about the
fulcrum, moving the piston rod of the control valve in the upward
direction. This closes the valve V2 and opens the valve V1 .The oil
under pressure from the control valve, will move through valve V, to
the servomotor and will exert a force on the face B of the piston. This
will move the piston along with the piston rod and spear towards left,
increasing the area of flow of water at the outlet of the nozzle. This
will increase the rate of flow of water to the turbine and consequently,
the speed of the turbine will also increase, till the speed of the turbine
becomes normal.
 Numerical Problems
• Problem 1: A turbine develops 9000 kW when running at 10 r.p.m.
The head on the turbine is 30 m. If the head on the turbine is reduced
to 18 m, determine the (i) speed and (ii) power developed by the
turbine. (Ans: (i) 7.75 rpm, (ii)4183 kW)
• Problem 2: A turbine develops 500 kW power under a head of 100
meters at 200 r.p.m. What would be its (i) normal speed and (ii) output
under a head of 81 meters ? (Ans: (i) 180 rpm, (ii) 364.5 kW)
• Problem 3: A turbine is to operate under a head of 25 m at 200 r.p.m.
The discharge is 9 cumec. If the efficiency is 90%, determine the
performance of the turbine under a head of 20 meters. (Ans: 179 rpm,
8.05 m3/s, 1421.5 kW)
 Numerical Problems (Cont’d)
• Problem 4: A Pelton wheel is revolving at a speed of 190 r.p.m. and
develops 5150.25 kW when working under a head of 220 m with an
overall efficiency of 80%.The speed ratio for the turbine is given as
0.47. Determine (a) unit speed, unit discharge and unit power, (b) the
speed, discharge and power when this turbine is working under a head
of 140 m. (Ans: (a) 12.8 rpm, 0.201 m3/s, 1.578 kW, (b) 151.6 rpm,
2.379 m3/s, 2614.5 kW)
• Problem 5: A Pelton wheel is revolving at a speed of 200 r.p.m. and
develops 5886 kW S.P. when working under a head of 200 m with an
overall efficiency of 80%. Determine (i) unit speed, (ii) unit discharge
and (iii) unit power . The speed ratio for the turbine is given as 0.48.
 Numerical Problems (Cont’d)
Find the (iv)speed, (v) discharge and (vi) power when this turbine is
working under a head of 150 m. (Ans: (i) 14.14, (ii) 0.265 m3/s, (iii)
2.08 kW, (iv) 173.2 rpm, (v) 3.247 m3/s, and (vi) 3823 kW )
• Problem 6: A turbine develops 9000 kW when running at a speed of
140 r.p.m. and under a head of 30 m. Determine the specific speed of
the turbine. (Ans:189.2)
• Problem 7: A Pelton turbine develops 3000 kW under a head of 300
m. The overall efficiency of the turbine is 83%. If speed ratio = 0.46,
Cv = 0.98 and specific speed is 16.5, then find : (i) Diameter of the
turbine, and (ii) Diameter of the jet. (Ans: (i) 1.78 m, (ii)142 mm))
 Numerical Problems (Cont’d)
• Problem 8: A turbine develops 7225 kW power under a head of 25
meters at 135 r.p.m. Calculate the specific speed of the turbine and
state the type of the turbine. (Ans: 205.3, Francis)
• Problem 9: A turbine is to operate under a head of 25 m at 200 r.p.m.
The discharge is 9 cumec. If the efficiency is 90%, determine :(i)
Specific speed of the machine,(ii) Power generated, and (iii) Type of
turbine. (Ans: (i)160, (ii)1986.5 kW, (iii)Francis)
• Problem 10: A turbine is to operate under a head of 30 m at 300 r.p.m.
The discharge is 10 m3/s. If the efficiency is 90%, determine : (i)
specific speed of the machine, (ii) power generated, and (iii) type of
the turbine. (Ans: (i) 219.9, (ii) 2648.7 kW (iii) Francis)
Thanks for Listening