Effect of size and concentration of silt particles on erosion of Pelton turbine buckets

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) 2009-10, Vol.34 (10), p.1477-1483
• Main Authors: Padhy, M.K., Saini, R.P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Correlation; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Engines and turbines; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Erosive wear; Exact sciences and technology; Pelton turbine; Silt concentration; Silt size
• ISSN: 0360-5442
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2009.06.015

Erosive wear of hydro turbine runners depends upon different parameters such as size, hardness and concentration of silt particles, velocity of flow, properties of the base material of the turbine components and operating hours of the turbine. Various researchers have conducted experiments to study the effect of these parameters on erosive wear. Most of these experiments were on small-size samples at different types of test rigs to simulate the flow conditions in turbines, however actual flow conditions and the phenomenon of erosive wear are too complex to simulate. Under the present study, effect of these parameters on erosion in actual conditions has been investigated experimentally. An extensive experimental study has been carried out on a small scale Pelton turbine. Based on the experimental data collected for different parameters, correlations have been developed for wear rate of Pelton turbine buckets as a function of critical parameters, i.e., size and concentration of silt particles and jet velocity.