DISCUSSION Reaction Turbine
DISCUSSION Reaction Turbine
DISCUSSION Reaction Turbine
The purpose of the experiment was to study the characteristics curves of a reaction
turbine. Turbine are generally used in hydroelectric power plants to generate power from
reservoir of water, steam and gas. The theory of scheme is it develops torque by reacting
to the pressure or weight of fluid and the operation of reaction turbines is described by
Newton's third law of motion which the action and reaction are equal and opposite. The
graphs obtained were compared with standard graph that explained the exact curves of
efficiency (%), Power (Watt), Pressure and Torque vs Speed.
Other than that, Figure 5 showed the efficiency is 0.181706 % at speed 2903.02
hyd
(1/min) and this gives the highest efficiency. Efficiency is related to the power of
x100
el
hydraulic over power of electrical multiple
by 100.
From the graph obtained, it can concluded the efficiency at 3000rpm 200 rpm is
relevant compare with the actual curve as mention is Figure 1 and 2. However the
fluctuating in the curve Figure 5 is due to the inconsistency of the flowrate is not being
control carefully. This will be affected the electrical power and also the speed of
performance. Based on theory, the consistent and higher efficiency is important to
determine the performance of the machine. In this case, a good efficiency cannot be
obtained as it is not have a stable performance.
Next, Figure 6,7 and 8 showed the Torque (Ncm), Electrical Power (Watt) and
Efficiency (%) against Speed (1/min) at flowrate 4000rpm 200rpm. From graph 6, the
torque have similarity with the graph at Figure 3 as it is a descending curve. The torque is
consistent reducing from 500 (1/min) to 4000 (1/min) and it gives the stable performance.
The highest different in speed can be obtained from 2124.512 (1/min) to 1145.996
(1/min) as it is 978.516 (1/min) different. This is because the regulatory valve is suddenly
tight and cannot control.
The comparison of Figure 7 and Figure 1 is made to check the difference and
similarity between both graph. A similar curve of electrical power from the experiment
with the standard curve is obtained from speed 0 to 3500 (1/min). It showed the
consistency of the performance is achieved during this time. As water moves over the
runner the shaft rotates and turns the generator thus producing electricity. However the
graph shows fluctuating line occurs as the flowrate is remained constant or no many
change during controlling the valve. The efficiency based on Figure 8 at this flowrate is
effected by the speed as the flowrate at 4000 (1/min) to 3500 (1/min) has no big
difference. The highest declination of efficiency can be seen at speed 4065.43 to
4063.965 (1/min) as the efficiency is 0.052459 % and 0.09164% respectively.
At flowrate 5000rpm 200rpm the torque (Ncm) against Speed (1/min) based on
Figure 9 has no much difference with Figure 1 and 2. The similarity showed that force
and displacement vector are at the ideal value. Howsoever, the curve at Figure 10 gives
malformed as the electrical power is not have similar characteristic with Figure 2. This is
because the value of electrical power at this stage is on off due to the there is no water
moves over the runner shaft and rotates to generate the electricity. Meanwhile, the
efficiency showed in Figure 11 is achieved the standard curve.
Other than that, the lowest value for Torque and highest value for both Electrical
Power and Efficiency from each different value of Water Flowrate, n (3000rpm, 4000rpm
& 5000rpm) were obtained as in Figure 12. The lowest torque is seen at water flowrate
5000rpm as the torque is 0.2 (Ncm). This is because the reaction turbine is depends on
the speed. When there is higher speed, the torque will be lower as low of force and
displacement vector. There are closed similarity of torque at water flowrate 4000 and
3000 rpm. This is due to the error during water flowrate 4000rpm. The torque should be
less than 0.035 (Ncm).
Figure 12: Lowest value for Torque against three different Water Flowrate
Furthermore the highest value for both Electrical Power and Efficiency against three
different Water Flowrate, (3000rpm, 4000rpm & 5000rpm) is obtained at Figure 13 and
14. The highest value For Electrical Power is 300Watt at water flowrate 5000rpm. This is
because when there are high water moves, it gives high flowrate then will generate more
electricity. Thus, the higher the water flowrate, the higher the electrical power to generate
electricity.
Figure 13: The highest value for Electrical Power against three different water
flowrate
Besides, the highest efficiency from three different water flowrate is obtained at
Figure 14. It is showed that the highest efficiency is at water flowrate 5000rpm. This is
because the Pressure of Hydraulic and Pressure of Electrical Power at water 5000rpm is
the lowest among other flowrate. When there are high water flowrate, the pressure will be
decrease, it gives the performance more efficient as it is remain stable and constant
efficient. At this stage potential energy available in the water and the amount of power to
be generated are higher due to high water flowrate.
There were few possible errors were the students are not control the regulatory
valve consistently as it effected speed. The computer window is too old as it cannot
capture the result immediately.
In a nutshell, the water flowrate affect the torque, electrical power and efficiency.
When there are higher water flowrate, all the variable will have more efficient than low
water flowrate. The more efficient the process, electricity produce will be higher and
constant.
There was recommendation to overcome the possible errors. Firstly, student must control
the regulatory valve correctly to avoid more or less water flowrate produce. Secondly,
student need to wait for the reading to stable before record the result from the computer.
Thirdly, the experiment need to do for three or four times above to get the best result.
Finally, student need to be patient when handling the valve as it can be loose and tight
without control. Thus, the ideal expected results could be achieved.