CHAPTER - 1

INTRODUCTION
Over the year since it was first patented in 1889, the Pelton turbine has
been the subject of many research projects. On this basis alone one may think
physics, i.e. the flow mechanisms, in the turbine is fully understood due to the
age of the technology. However, the reality of the knowledge within Pelton
turbines is that there are still areas within the physics that are still not
understood completely. These gaps in the understanding of the flow within
Pelton turbines have therefore been given increasing interest by the research
community within multiple fields.
1.1 Problem description
This is due to the increasing demand for energy on a global basis in
addition to the growing focus on meeting the increasing demand by utilizing
renewable energy resources. An increase in efficiency in the order of 0.1%
would lead to large increase in power production. As an example one can use
Bieudron which is the largest power plant in the world with regard to head
(1869m) and power delivered by a single turbine (423MW). An increase of
0.1% in efficiency would correspond to an increase of 0.432MW in power
delivered by a single turbine. For a full year in operation this increase in power
is equivalent to the mean power consumption of approximately 182 average
Norwegian households in 2009[1]. Innovation within the energy business is kept
a close corporate secret and all research done on a turbine designed by
commercial companies is confidential. Thus the different research communities
have no common practical case with which they can cooperate within their
distinctive fields. At the time the Waterpower Laboratory, NTNU, have two
open reference turbines; a Francis and a Reversible Pump Turbine, which are
1

readily available to all who are interested. This availability includes the design
strategy and software, if one exists, the simulation setup and results, the model
test results and the model turbine itself. It is believed that this will better the
possibility for different academic or corporate institutions to conduct research
on a common geometry and thereby increase the knowledge within turbine
technology.
1.2 Scope
The scope of this project is to design and manufacture and to explain
Pelton turbines where each new turbine is based on the knowledge and
experience gained from the previous turbines. All the knowledge will be
published and thereafter be made available to the public with any additional
data or software available at a yet to be defined web page. The design strategy,
and methods, planned simulation methods and experimental facilities that will
be used in said project will be presented and discussed in the following.

CHAPTER - 2
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
2.1 Pelton wheel turbine
According to Strandh, the Pelton wheel is an impulse type water
turbine. It was invented by Lester Allan Pelton in the 1870s. The Pelton wheel
extracts energy from the impulse of moving water, as opposed to water's dead
weight like the traditional overshot water wheel. Many variations of impulse
turbines existed prior to Pelton's design, but they were less efficient than
Pelton's design. Water leaving those wheels typically still had high speed,
carrying away much of the dynamic energy brought to the wheels. Pelton's
paddle geometry was designed so that when the rim ran at half the speed of the
water jet, the water left the wheel with very little speed; thus his design
extracted almost all of the water's impulse energy which allowed for a very
efficient turbine.
2.2 Main components of Pelton wheel
According to Civil Engineering Terms,
Penstock
Penstock is a solid pipe structure and it is used to carry the water from
dam to turbine at very high speeds.
Spear
In the penstock spear is provided and it is used to increase and decrease
the speed of water which was entering in to the turbine. By moving the spear
3

back and forward the water enter into the turbine by moving forward excess
water is entering to the turbine.
Nozzle
Nozzle is attached to the end of the penstock. Main purpose of the
penstock is used to increase the velocity of the water. The height velocity the
water hits the buckets of the turbine.
Buckets
To the runner a specified No. of wheels are attached. With the impact
given by the buckets the runner starts rotating in the Pelton wheel.
Runner
Runner is a large circular disc, where to that disc buckets are arranged.
Then next runner is attached to the shaft.
Brake nozzle
To stop the turbine, water flow must be send back of the buckets by using
another nozzle which is known as brake nozzle.
Pelton turbine design available is scarce at best due to the competitive
nature of the industry and the resulting secrecy surrounding design methods and
innovations. This project therefore plan to apply a basic design methodology of
aiming for a near constant relative water velocity through the runner. The means
to achieve this will be to maintain a constant curvature of the surface for water
flowing through the runner in different directions as seen in

The impingement of the jet on the bucket will change due to the relative
motion of the turbine and hence one must define the priority of the
impingements.

Fig.2.1 Ideal flow of water through bucket

The theoretical way of investigating a Pelton runner has been to study a
cross section in the centre of the runner when the water hits the runner normally
to the splitter as, i.e. a cross section through the centre of the jet in figure above.

2.2.1 Installation model of Pelton wheel turbine

i. In order to improve the speed and flow, two or more nozzles are
regularly installed on one runner. Sometimes the two (or more) runners are
installed on in one main shaft to improve the single output of the unit.
ii. Large and mediumsized Pelton turbine usually use vertical layout,
which can reduce the area of power house and is also convenient to installed
multinozzle.

iii. Small and mediumsized Pelton turbine usually adopts horizontal

arrangement, which can simplify the structure, lower cost with convenient
installation and maintenance.

2.2.2 Pelton turbine hydro-electric set up

A typical setup of a system generating electricity by using Pelton Turbine
will have a water reservoir situated at a height from the Pelton Wheel. The
water from the reservoir flows through a pressure channel to the penstock head
and then through the penstock or the supply pipeline to the nozzles, from where
the water comes out as high speed jets striking the blades of the Pelton Turbine.
The penstock head is fitted with a surge tank which absorbs and dissipates
sudden fluctuations in pressure.
For a constant water flow rate from the nozzles the speed of turbine
changes with changing loads on it. For quality hydroelectricity generation the
turbine should rotate at a constant speed. To keep the speed constant despite the
changing loads on the turbine water flow rate through the nozzles is changed.
To control the gradual changes in load servo controlled spear valves are used in
the jets to change the flow rate. And for sudden reduction in load the jets are
deflected using deflector plates so that some of the water from the jets do not
strike the blades. This prevents over speeding of the turbine.

Fig.2.2 Hydraulic

turbine and Electrical

generator

2.2.3 Impulse turbine-Pelton wheel

Impulse Turbine wherein the available hydraulic energy is converted into
kinetic energy by means of a nozzle. The high velocity jet issuing from the
nozzle then strikes a series of suitably shaped buckets fixed around the rim of a
wheel. The buckets change the direction of jet without changing its pressure.
The resulting change in momentum sets buckets and wheel into rotary motion
and thus mechanical energy is made available at the turbine shaft. The jet leaves
the runner with a reduced energy. An impulse turbine operates under
atmospheric pressure, there is no change of static pressure across the turbine
runner and the unit is often referred to as a free jet turbine.
2.2.4 Governing of Pelton turbine
According to Johnson, Victoria, and Jenna Wilson, when a turbine drives
an electrical generator or alternator, the primary requirement is that the
rotational speed of the shaft and hence that of the turbine rotor has to be kept
fixed. Otherwise the frequency of the electrical output will be altered. But when
the electrical load changes depending upon the demand, the speed of the turbine
changes automatically. This is because the external resisting torque on the shaft
is altered while the driving torque due to change of momentum in the flow of
fluid through the turbine remains the same. For example, when the load is
increased, the speed of the turbine decreases and vice versa. A constancy in
speed is therefore maintained by adjusting the rate of energy input to the turbine
accordingly. This is usually accomplished by changing the rate of fluid flow
through the turbine- the flow in increased when the load is increased and the
flow is decreased when the load is decreased. This adjustment of flow with the
load is known as the governing of turbines.

Fig.2.3 Governing of Pelton wheel

In case of a Pelton turbine, an additional requirement for its operation at
the condition of maximum efficiency is that the ration of bucket to initial jet
velocity has to be kept at its optimum value of about 0.46. Hence, when U is
fixed. Therefore the control must be made by a variation of the cross-sectional
area, A, of the jet so that the flow rate changes in proportion to the change in the
flow area keeping the jet velocity same. This is usually achieved by a spear
valve in the nozzle. Movement of the spear and the axis of the nozzle changes
the annular area between the spear and the housing. The shape of the spear is
such, that the fluid coalesces into a circular jet and then the effect of the spear
movement is to vary the diameter of the jet. Deflectors are often used along
with the spear valve to prevent the serious water hammer problem due to a
sudden reduction in the rate of flow. These plates temporarily defect the jet so
that the entire flow does not reach the bucket; the spear valve may then be
moved slowly to its new position to reduce the rate of flow in the pipe-line
gradually. If the bucket width is too small in relation to the jet diameter, the
fluid is not smoothly deflected by the buckets and, in consequence, much
energy is dissipated in turbulence and the efficiency drops considerably. On the
other hand, if the buckets are unduly large, the effect of friction on the surfaces
is unnecessarily high. The optimum value of the ratio of bucket width to jet
diameter has been found to vary between 4 and 5.
9

Fig.2.4 Spear valve to alter jet area in Pelton wheel.

Fig.2.5 Jet deflected from bucket

2.3 The Pelton turbine operating principle
The Pelton turbine is an impulse turbine that only converts kinetic energy
of the flow into mechanical energy. The transfer of the total energy from the
nozzle exit to the downstream Reservoir occurs at atmospheric pressure.
The Pelton wheel or Pelton turbine is a tangential flow impulse turbine.
The water strikes the bucket along the tangent of the runner. The energy
available at the inlet of the turbine is only kinetic energy. The pressure at the
inlet and outlet of the turbine is atmosphere.

10

Fig.2.6 Buckets
This turbine is used for high heads and is named after L.A. Pelton, an
American Engineer. The water from the reservoir flows through the penstocks at
the outlet of which a nozzle is fitted.

Fig.2.7 Pelton turbine operating principle

11

The nozzle increases the kinetic energy of the water flowing through the
penstock. At the outlet of the nozzle, the water comes out in the form of a jet
and strikes the buckets (vanes) of the runner. The main parts of the Pelton
turbine are Nozzle and flow regulating arrangement (spear), Runner and
buckets, Casing, and Breaking jet.
2.4 Extraction
Pelton turbine design is always aimed at extracting maximum power from
water jet, or maximizing efficiency. Power extracted by the bucket, P is product
of jet impulse force and bucket velocity.
So power extraction is maximum when product of impulsive force and
bucket velocity is maximum. Let's consider 2 different operating conditions.
If Pelton wheel buckets are held stationary, there will be a huge impulse
force produced. But power extraction will be zero since buckets are not moving.
If buckets are moving with same speed of jet, water jet won't be able to
hit the bucket. This will lead to zero impulse force. Again power extraction will
be zero. In short, power extraction is zero both at zero bucket speed and when
bucket speed is same as jet speed. So with respect to jet to bucket speed ratio,
power extraction will vary.

CHAPTER 3
12

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Conceptual design

Fig.3.1 Conceptual design of Pelton wheel

The Pelton turbines have been given increasing interest by the research
community within multiple fields. This is due to the increasing demand for
energy on a global basis in addition to the growing focus on meeting the
increasing demand by utilizing renewable energy resources. An increase in
efficiency in the order 0.1 % would lead to large increase in electrical power
production. Innovation within energy business is kept a close corporate secret
and all research done on a turbine designed by commercial companies is
confidential. Thus the deferent research communities have no common practical
case with which they can cooperate within their distinctive fields. The literature
on Pelton turbine design available is scarce at best due to the competitive nature
of the industry and the resulting secrecy surrounding design methods and
innovations. In the last decade a lot of papers about numerical and experimental
analysis and design of Pelton turbines have been published.
3.1.1 Design description

13

In the Pelton wheel to a rotor or rotating shaft circular disk is mounted.

The circular disk consists of cup shaped blades. The cup blades are known as
buckets. Those are placed at the circumference with equal spacing. To the wheel
nozzles are arranged so the water jet ejects from the nozzle. The nozzles are
tangential to the wheel circumference. No of nozzles depends upon the available
water head and the operating requirement of the shape. The nozzles placed
around the wheel are varying.

Fig.3.2 Design description

3.2 Materials
Frame
14

It is a mild steel component. It is made using arc welding. Dimensions:

267x275x290 mm.
Shaft
It is made up of cast-iron. Dimensions: 15 mm in diameter and 300 mm
in length.
Sprocket
It is made up of cast-iron and a sprocket set of 25 tooth and 8 tooth is
used to transmit power between shaft and generator.
Bucket
It is a stainless steel component of 80 mm diameter which is mounted in
disc. Twelve buckets or provided in our Pelton wheel. A divider is provided in
each bucket to reduce the cavitation and damage in inner surface of the bucket.

Fig.3.3 Buckets
Pelton wheel

15

It is mounted in the shaft at the one end and another end contains a 25
tooth sprocket and this shaft drives the generator. Chain drive is used to transmit
the power.
3.3 Working of Pelton wheel turbine
In the Pelton wheel turbine the water from the nozzle straight strikes the
buckets arranged to the circumference of the wheel. In the middle of the bucket
we can see the splitters. The water jets are divided into two equal watercourses.
The watercourses are also known as streams. The water flows along with the
internal curve of the bucket.

Fig.3.4 Water jet

The water leaves from the opposite direction of the incoming jet. With the
help of the high speed water turbine the Pelton wheel must be worked. The
Pelton wheels are expanding with the help of high pressure water through the
nozzle to the atmospheric pressure. It receives the high pressure water jet from
the water body which was situated at the high level to flow the water downward

3.4 Efficiency measurements on Pelton turbines

16

The measurement techniques have remarkably evolved during recent

years: for example the introduction of automatic data acquisition has allowed to
increase considerably the number of measurement points without slowing down
the execution of tests.

Fig.3.5 Efficiency measurement

This process permits also to reduce greatly the measurement errors and,
therefore, allows to check with more accuracy the performance of industrial
machines. In this way, research and investigation activities concerning the
determination of parameters to adopt for model-prototype step up, may be easier
developed.

3.5 Physical limitations with regard to the design

17

At the current time the Waterpower Laboratory, NTNU, are in possession

of boss produced for a different turbine with exchangeable buckets that will be
used for the first design. Said boss limits the number of buckets to 22, in
addition the diameter of the boss in combination with the size of the test rig
limits the diameter of the turbine.

Fig.3.6 Water jet striking bucket

The nozzle of the test rig has been found acceptable and this will
therefore effect the diameter limitation due to the basis of the design, i.e. the
ratio between jet diameter and runner diameter. Said nozzle has a jet diameter of
7.6cm, but has the possibility of changing the nozzle ring as to adjust the jet
diameter on a small scale
The design will be based on the empirical data found by Hermod Brekke
with regard to bucket width and runner diameter [4]. These parameters, in
addition to others chosen are shown in the table below.

Table 3.1 Physical parameters

Parameter

Value
18

Head
Jet diameter (d)
Runner diameter (D )
Bucket width (B)

70 (m)
0.076(m)
0.4 (m)
0.04 (m)

3.5.1 Description of the bucket surface

Due to the complex and double curved nature of the surface of the Pelton
bucket NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines) has been used as a
descriptive method.

Fig.3.7 Pelton Bucket described with NURBS

3.6 Numerical simulation methods and limitations
Accurate simulations of Pelton turbines have been sought after for many
years and as the computational resources and knowledge of the flow
mechanisms increase the accuracy increases. At the current time there are two
approaches to numerical simulations of Pelton turbines. These are based on
either the Eulerian og Lagrangian specification of a flow field. Where the
Eulerian specification requires the flow volume to be defined by a set of
volumes that the fluid flows through the Lagrangian defines the flow as small
19

moving volumes of fluid that flow through an empty space. Both methods will
be utilized in this project and their use is here presented in short.
3.6.1 Eulerian specification
At the Waterpower Laboratory, NTNU, the ANSYS Workbench with
CFX 13 is used for Eulerian simulations. A bucket of a turbine from a
Norwegian producer has recently been analysed and the results shown are
acceptable correspondence with experiments conducted on said turbine. The
total torque from the best corresponding simulation is compared to the

experimental result.
Fig.3.8 Torque result graph
3.6.2 Lagrangian specification
In the later years the SPH method of flow simulation has been introduced.
Originally introduced by Gingold and Monaghan and Lucy in 1977 for
astrophysical simulations, it has later been modified for fluid flow simulations.

20

Fig.3.9 SPH- simulation of optimal rotational speed

This method is still young compared to the methods using the Eulerian
specification and therefore it is subject to much research. As of now multiple
open-source software as well as commercial, corporate and private codes exist
and are being verified against experimental data the output of an SPH
simulation the comparison of efficiency from simulations and experiments at
different nozzle openings, both conducted by Koukoyvinis.

Table.3.2 Experimental and simulation results

Nozzle

Efficiency

Efficiency

opening

(m)

(l/s)

(%)

(%) SPH

(mm)
20
24

69.3
67

37.1
41.1
21

experimental
82.6
82.1

78.60
76.49

28
32
36

65.1
63.6
62.7

44.3
47.6
48.4

82.1
81.8
81.7

77.32
75.19
75.66

The inclusion of an SPH simulation in the design procedure in this

project is intended and currently the SPH solver is chosen. This is due to the
open-source nature of the solver but there are still considerations to be made
with regard to accuracy compared to other solvers.

22

267

240

275

P R O J E C T T I T L E D E S IG N A N D F A B R IC A T IO N O F P A R T N O .

P E L T O N W H E E L T U R B IN E

ST U D E N T
NAM E

R IS H IK E S H .P
K A V IN K U M A R .K

PA R T NA M E
D R A W IN G N O .

RO LL NO .

14M EL195
14M EL183

MATERIAL

SC A L E

1 :5

Q U A N T IT Y

A L L D IM E N SIO N S A R E IN M M U N L E SS O T H E R W ISE SP E C IF IE D

D O N O T SC A L E

Fig.3.10 Frame

23

01
FRA M E
01
M IL D S T E E L
01

R E V ISIO N :

15

300

PR O J E C T T IT L E

ST U D E N T
NAM E
RO LL NO .
SC A L E

D E S IG N A N D F A B R IC A T IO N O F P A R T N O .
P E L T O N W H E E L T U R B IN E

R IS H IK E S H .P
K A V I N K U M A R .K

PAR T NA M E
D R A W IN G N O .

1 4 M EL1 9 5
1 4 M EL1 8 3

MATERIAL

1 :5

Q U A N T IT Y

A L L D IM E N SIO N S A R E IN M M U N L E SS O T H E R W ISE SP E C IF IE D

D O N O T SC A L E

Fig.3.11 Shaft

FRA M E

24

02
SH A FT
02
C A S T IR O N
01

R E V ISIO N :

P R O J E C T T IT L E

ST U D E N T
NAM E
RO LL NO .
SC A L E

D E S IG N A N D F A B R IC A T IO N O F P A R T N O .
P E L T O N W H E E L T U R B IN E

R I S H I K E S H .P
K A V IN K U M A R .K

PAR T NA M E
D R A W IN G N O .

14 M EL1 95
14 M EL1 83

MATERIAL

1 :2

Q U A N T IT Y

A L L D IM E N SIO N S A R E IN M M U N L E SS O T H E R W ISE SP E C IF IE D

D O N O T SC A L E

Fig.3.12 Sprocket (25 Tooth)

FRA M E

25

03
2 5 TE E TH S P R O C K E T
03
C A S T IR O N
01

R E V ISIO N :

P R O J E C T T IT L E

ST U D E N T
NAM E
RO LL NO .
SC A L E

D E S IG N A N D F A B R IC A T IO N O F P A R T N O .
P E L T O N W H E E L T U R B IN E

R I S H I K E S H .P
K A V IN K U M A R .K

PAR T NA M E
D R A W IN G N O .

14 M EL1 95
14 M EL1 83

MATERIAL

1 :1

Q U A N T IT Y

A L L D IM E N SIO N S A R E IN M M U N L E SS O T H E R W ISE SP E C IF IE D

D O N O T SC A L E

Fig.3.13 Sprocket (8 tooth)

FRA M E

26

04
8 TE E TH S P R O C K E T
04
C A S T IR O N
01

R E V ISIO N :

360

TR U E R 1 8 0

P R O J E C T T IT L E

ST U D E N T
NAM E
RO LL NO .
SC A L E

D E S IG N A N D F A B R IC A T IO N O F P A R T N O .
P E L T O N W H E E L T U R B IN E

R I S H I K E S H .P
K A V IN K U M A R .K

PAR T NA M E
D R A W IN G N O .

14 M EL1 95
14 M EL1 83

MATERIAL

1 :5

Q U A N T IT Y

A L L D IM E N SIO N S A R E IN M M U N L E SS O T H E R W ISE SP E C IF IE D

D O N O T SC A L E

Fig.3.14 Disc

FRA M E

27

05
D IS C
05
C A S T IR O N
01

R E V ISIO N :

TR U E R 4 0

80

P R O J E C T T IT L E

ST U D E N T
NAM E
RO LL NO .
SC A L E

D E S IG N A N D F A B R IC A T IO N O F P A R T N O .
P E L T O N W H E E L T U R B IN E

R I S H I K E S H .P
K A V IN K U M A R .K

PAR T NA M E
D R A W IN G N O .

14 M EL1 95
14 M EL1 83

MATERIAL

1 :2

Q U A N T IT Y

A L L D IM E N SIO N S A R E IN M M U N L E SS O T H E R W ISE SP E C IF IE D

D O N O T SC A L E

Fig.3.15 Bucket

FRA M E

28

06
BUC KET
06
C A S T IR O N
12

R E V ISIO N :

300

P R O J E C T T IT L E

ST U D E N T
NAM E
RO LL NO .
SC A L E

D E S IG N A N D F A B R IC A T IO N O F P A R T N O .
P E L T O N W H E E L T U R B IN E

R I S H I K E S H .P
K A V IN K U M A R .K

PAR T NA M E
D R A W IN G N O .

14 M EL1 95
14 M EL1 83

MATERIAL

1 :1 0

Q U A N T IT Y

A L L D IM E N SIO N S A R E IN M M U N L E SS O T H E R W ISE SP E C IF IE D

D O N O T SC A L E

Fig.3.16 Pelton wheel

FRA M E

29

07
P E L TO N W H E E L
07
C A S T IR O N
01

R E V ISIO N :

CHAPTER-4
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Fabricated prototype

Fig.4.1 Fabricated model of Pelton wheel

In this chapter it deals with the results obtained in fabrication process.
Results obtained fabricated process, the various parts are designed in previous
chapter and they are assembled using solid works 2013.
4.2 Assembled view
Results obtained in design process is assembled view. The various parts
are designed in previous chapter number 3 and they are assembled in solid
works 2013 is shown in fig 4.2.
30

P R O J E C T T IT L E

ST U D E N T
NAM E
RO LL NO.
SC A L E

D E S IG N A N D F A B R IC A T IO N O F P A R T N O .
P E L T O N W H E E L T U R B IN E

R I S H I K E S H .P
K A V IN K U M A R .K

PA R T NA M E
D R A W IN G N O .

14M EL195
14M EL183

MATERIAL

1 :1 0

Q U A N T IT Y

A L L D IM E N SIO N S A R E IN M M U N L E SS O T H E R W ISE SPE C IF IE D

08
P E L T O N W H E E L T U R B IN E
01

R E V ISIO N :

C A S T IR O N
08

D O N O T SC A L E

Fig.4.2 Assembly drawing

4.3 Efficiency

FR A M E

The input hydraulic power to the Pelton Wheel is the product of the inlet
pressure and flow rate.
Different efficiencies
31

Hydraulic efficiency
Hydraulic efficiency is defined as the ration of power developed by the
runner to the power supplied at the inlet of the turbine
Mechanical efficiency
Mechanical efficiency is defined as the ratio of the power available at the
turbine shafts to the available power at the turbine runner.
Volumetric efficiency
Volumetric efficiency is defined as the ratio of the volume of the water
strikes the runner to the total water supplied by the jet to the turbine.
Overall efficiency
Overall efficiency is defined as the ratio of the power available at the
shaft of the turbine to power available from the jet.
4.4 Advantages
This turbine can strictly extract energy as of any fast-moving fluid, for
example air, but almost always use water for utmost efficiency.
They can prepared out of metal, plastic, ceramic materials, while
metal is generally preferred.
To derive more power, multiple jets (2 to 6) Pelton wheel may be
used.
It creates the ideal for hydro-electric power generation.
Simple in, construction and easy maintenance.
4.5 Disadvantages

32

 As Pelton turbine is not only turbines in existence, they are absolutely

the mainly ideal impulse turbines while low flow rates or small
streams are only sources of water accessible.
While they are ideal for location in which a stream of water has a high
quantity of pressure by a low flow rate.
The quantity of energy to be extract as of small streams that would
have or else gone to dissipate.
This is not the best turbines for low-pressure streams by a high flow
rate.
A lot of head loss occurs when the river discharge is low.
4.6 Applications
Pelton wheels are ideal in a high velocity, low flow environment.
They are best suited for use in supplying hydrologic power to
mountainous or hilly areas where small, fast moving streams are
common.
Perhaps a more unique application of the Pelton wheel is its use in
Disneys Geyser Mountain Project in Irvine, CA.
The steep drop guests ride down allows for a significant build-up of
kinetic energy in the flowing water.
Much of this energy is then harnessed using Pelton wheels and
recycled back into making the ride run.

4.7 Cost estimation

Table.4.1 shows the total cost of design and fabrication.
S.No.
1

Component
Buckets

Quantity
12
33

Price (Rs)
700

2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Disc
Shaft
Sprockets
Chain
Generator
Bearings
Labour charge

1
1
2
1
1
2
-

50
100
150
200
400
80
2200

Total

3880

CHAPTER - 5
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
The Pelton wheel turbine was successfully designed. The working model
of Pelton wheel during the course of this work leads to the following
conclusions. The Pelton wheel bucket has been modelled in SOLIDWORKS
2012. During the fabrication of Pelton wheel, the cavitation problem has been

34

found in buckets. In order to overcome the problem the divider has been placed
in buckets.
Initially to transmit power from shaft to generator the gear drive is
suitably placed, while operating the water droplets divert from the bucket is
directly falls into the generator. The water droplet causes damage to generator
so chain drive has been introduced to increase distance between shaft and
generator to prevent generator from damage.
The analysis carried out in this project is just one step towards
optimization. There is large scope of work in this subject. The fatigue analysis
of Pelton wheel can be done. The Pelton turbine is suitable for installing small
hydro-electric power plants in case of high head and low water flow rate. A
complete design of such turbines has been presented in this paper based on
theoretical analysis and some empirical relations. The maximum turbine
efficiency was found to be 97% constant for different values of head and water
flow rate. The complete design parameters such as turbine power, turbine
torque, turbine speed, runner dimensions and nozzle dimensions are determined
at maximum turbine efficiency.

5.1 Conclusions
Thus the model is installed successfully in the lab and opened for
students view and working, with or without teaching the model continues to
explain about the concept.
It serves a medium that everyone can understand this model and can
easily grasp the concept of the working. It also gives a better understanding for
35

the students. The teaching now became very easy and even more interesting
with come along with practical working and example. Various manufacturing
techniques and industrial standards were studied.

REFERENCES
1.

Civil Engineering Terms, (2012), Parts of Pelton Wheel

2.

Johnson, Victoria, and Jenna Wilson, (2008), "Fluid Flow in a Micro

Hydro System."

3.

Strandh, (1979), A History of the Machine Vol II, Book X, Chapter V.

4.

Reynolds, (1970), Windmills and Watermills

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5.

Sayers, Hydraulic and Compressible Flow Turbo machines. Mcgraw

Hill Book Co Ltd.

Web References
1.

http://people.rit.edu/rfaite/courses/tflab/Cussons/pelton/pelton

2.

http://www.learnengineering.org/2013/08/pelton-turbine-wheelhydraulic- turbine

3.

http://www.open.edu/openlearn/sciencemathstechnology/science/pentonwheel turbine/content section

4.

http://papers.sae.org/2000-01-1417/
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5.

http://www.design.com/catalog/epa-converters/

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