An improved model for predicting the efficiency of hydraulic propeller turbines

• Published in: Canadian journal of civil engineering Vol. 32; no. 5; pp. 789 - 795
• Main Authors: Manness, Jessica, Doering, Jay
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa, Canada NRC Research Press 01.10.2005; National Research Council of Canada; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Buildings. Public works; Computation methods. Tables. Charts; Dams and subsidiary installations; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Engines and turbines; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Hydraulic constructions; Hydraulic turbines; Structural analysis. Stresses; Turbines; Canada, Manitoba; Data analysis; Efficiency; Database; Yield; Mathematical model; Forecast model; Modeling; Hydraulic turbine
• DOI: 10.1139/l05-029
• ISSN: 0315-1468

Field performance testing of hydraulic turbines is undertaken to define the head-power-discharge relationship that identifies the peak operating point of the turbine. This relationship is essential for the efficient operation of a hydraulic turbine. Unfortunately, in some cases it is not feasible to field test turbines because of time, budgetary, or other constraints. Gordon (2001) proposed a method of predicting and (or) simulating the performance curve for several types of turbines. However, a limited data set was available for the development of his model for certain types of turbines. Moreover, his model did not include a precise method of developing performance curves for rerunnered turbines. Manitoba Hydro operates a large network of hydroelectric turbines, which are subject to periodic field performance testing. This provided a large data set with which to refine the model proposed by Gordon (2001). Furthermore, since these data include rerunnered units, this provides an opportunity to refine the effects of rerunnering. Analysis shows that the accuracy of the refined model is within 2% of the performance test results for an "old" turbine, while for a newer turbine or a rerunnered turbine the error is within 1%. For both an old turbine and a rerunnered turbine, this indicates an accuracy improvement of 3% over the original method proposed by Gordon (2001).Key words: hydraulic turbine, efficiency, simulation modeling