INSTALLATION AND TESTING OF A 5kW HYDROPOWER TURBINE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51406/jnset.v11i2.1963Keywords:
Hydraulics, turbines, Francis turbine, power, dynamic pressureAbstract
This work focused on installation and testing of a hydro power turbine to generate 5 kW of energy for domestic applications. Water flows into the penstock from the dam at a height of 6m; the pipe diameter was reduced to with a reducer socket. Water pressure decreases as it flows through the elbow joint. But such decrease or loss is recovered by a reduction of the pipe diameter to 80 mm and the pipe is long enough, (length = 2000mm) for the water to be fully developed before it enters the turbine at optimum speed. As the water flows through the runner of the turbine, its pressure reduces. The reduction imparts reaction on the runner and power is transferred to the turbine shaft. To prevent back flow or sucking back of water pressure into the turbine, a draft tube and a non-return valve are incorporated into the outlet of the turbine. The turbine shaft speed recorded with the aid of a tachometer is 298.33rpm and the dynamic pressure recorded at the turbine inlet, with the aid of a water pressure gauge is 170 kN/m2. This gave an output power of 4.98 kW at a design flow rate of 0.106 m3/s. The installation and testing of Francis turbine, pipe network and fittings were successfully carried out. It is obvious from the test results that the output power can power the street lights along Imo-street in the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
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