Experimental Investigation on Effect of Head and Bucket Splitter Angle on the Power Output of A Pelton Turbine

Abstract

This paper investigates through experiment, the effect of head and bucket splitter angle on the power output of a pelton turbine (water turbine), to improve the power generation by the use of efficient Hydro-electric power generation systems. Experiments were conducted on pelton turbine head conditions, high head and low flow with increased pressure delivered more energy on the bucket splitter which then generates a force in driving the wheel compared to the result obtained from low head and high flow operating conditions. The power output was maximum at 23^o splitter angle followed by 21^o, 15^o, 10^o and 3^o using varied turbine speed (1700, 1400, 1200 and 1000rpm). The force generated by the bucket due to the splitter was increased as the turbine speed was increasing. The force generated by the bucket was increased (0 to 0.38N) due to the energy delivered to the wheel by the head, the turbine output increases from (0 to 7.47kW) which influences the output. This increase in the power output was as a result of their head conditions and the bucket splitter angle.