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Experimental Erosion Flow Pattern Study of Pelton Runner Buckets Using a Non-Recirculating Test Rig

Author

Listed:
  • Baig Mirza Umar

    (State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering & Department of Energy and Power Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Zhengwei Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering & Department of Energy and Power Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Sailesh Chitrakar

    (Turbine Testing Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel 6250, Nepal)

  • Bhola Thapa

    (Turbine Testing Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel 6250, Nepal)

  • Xingxing Huang

    (S.C.I. Energy, Future Energy Research Institute, Seidengasse 17, 8706 Zurich, Switzerland
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Ravi Poudel

    (Turbine Testing Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel 6250, Nepal)

  • Aaditya Karna

    (Turbine Testing Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel 6250, Nepal)

Abstract

Sediment erosion of hydraulic turbines is a significant challenge in hydropower plants in mountainous regions like the European Alps, the Andes, and the Himalayan region. The erosive wear of Pelton runner buckets is influenced by a variety of factors, including the size, hardness, and concentration of silt particles; the velocity of the flow and impingement angle of the jet; the properties of the base material; and the operating hours of the turbine. This research aims to identify the locations most susceptible to erosion and to elucidate the mechanisms of erosion propagation in two distinct designs of Pelton runner buckets. The Pelton runner buckets were subjected to static condition tests with particle sizes of 500 microns and a concentration of 14,000 mg/L. The buckets were coated with four layers of paint, sequentially applied in red, yellow, green, and blue. The two Pelton buckets, D 1 and D 2 , were evaluated for their erosion resistance properties. D 2 demonstrated superior erosion resistance, attributed to its geometrical features and material composition, lower erosion rates, less material loss, and improved surface integrity compared with D1. This difference is primarily attributed to factors such as the splitter’s thickness, the jet’s impact angle, the velocity at which particles strike, and the concentration of sand. D 2 exhibits a great performance in terms of erosion resistance among the two designs. This study reveals that the angle of jet impingement influences erosion progression and material loss, which is important to consider during a Pelton turbine’s design and operating conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Baig Mirza Umar & Zhengwei Wang & Sailesh Chitrakar & Bhola Thapa & Xingxing Huang & Ravi Poudel & Aaditya Karna, 2024. "Experimental Erosion Flow Pattern Study of Pelton Runner Buckets Using a Non-Recirculating Test Rig," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:16:p:4006-:d:1455359
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Padhy, Mamata Kumari & Saini, R.P., 2008. "A review on silt erosion in hydro turbines," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 12(7), pages 1974-1987, September.
    2. Padhy, M.K. & Saini, R.P., 2009. "Effect of size and concentration of silt particles on erosion of Pelton turbine buckets," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(10), pages 1477-1483.
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