Efficiency Testing of Pelton Turbines with Artificial Defects—Part 2: Needles and Seat Rings
The erosion of Pelton turbine components in mountainous areas with high sediment input is a major challenge for energy- and cost-efficient operation. Quantitative data on possible efficiency losses associated with local damage are needed. A systematic experimental study was carried out on a model tu...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/11/2725 |
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| author | Florian Fahrni Thomas Staubli Ernesto Casartelli |
| author_facet | Florian Fahrni Thomas Staubli Ernesto Casartelli |
| author_sort | Florian Fahrni |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The erosion of Pelton turbine components in mountainous areas with high sediment input is a major challenge for energy- and cost-efficient operation. Quantitative data on possible efficiency losses associated with local damage are needed. A systematic experimental study was carried out on a model turbine to determine the efficiency losses caused by damaged needles and seat rings. For this purpose, artificial patterns of erosion-like damage were generated on the surfaces of needles and seat rings. These patterns were gradually deepened, and hill charts were measured repeatedly. The combination of needle and seat ring defects was also studied, and the finding is that superimposing the individual efficiency losses of the needle and seat ring resulted in the same efficiency loss measured for both damaged parts. The results of the measurement campaign show that damaged needles should be replaced at an early stage of deterioration, as efficiency losses can quickly add up to several percent and become unacceptable at partial load operations of the turbines. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6cd09ddc2dbf4f1b8d24e5065a522fc9 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-6cd09ddc2dbf4f1b8d24e5065a522fc92025-08-20T02:23:03ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-05-011811272510.3390/en18112725Efficiency Testing of Pelton Turbines with Artificial Defects—Part 2: Needles and Seat RingsFlorian Fahrni0Thomas Staubli1Ernesto Casartelli2Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 6048 Horw, SwitzerlandLucerne School of Engineering and Architecture, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 6048 Horw, SwitzerlandLucerne School of Engineering and Architecture, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 6048 Horw, SwitzerlandThe erosion of Pelton turbine components in mountainous areas with high sediment input is a major challenge for energy- and cost-efficient operation. Quantitative data on possible efficiency losses associated with local damage are needed. A systematic experimental study was carried out on a model turbine to determine the efficiency losses caused by damaged needles and seat rings. For this purpose, artificial patterns of erosion-like damage were generated on the surfaces of needles and seat rings. These patterns were gradually deepened, and hill charts were measured repeatedly. The combination of needle and seat ring defects was also studied, and the finding is that superimposing the individual efficiency losses of the needle and seat ring resulted in the same efficiency loss measured for both damaged parts. The results of the measurement campaign show that damaged needles should be replaced at an early stage of deterioration, as efficiency losses can quickly add up to several percent and become unacceptable at partial load operations of the turbines.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/11/2725Pelton turbineshydro-abrasive erosionmodel Pelton test righill chart measurementsPelton nozzlesneedle and seat ring |
| spellingShingle | Florian Fahrni Thomas Staubli Ernesto Casartelli Efficiency Testing of Pelton Turbines with Artificial Defects—Part 2: Needles and Seat Rings Energies Pelton turbines hydro-abrasive erosion model Pelton test rig hill chart measurements Pelton nozzles needle and seat ring |
| title | Efficiency Testing of Pelton Turbines with Artificial Defects—Part 2: Needles and Seat Rings |
| title_full | Efficiency Testing of Pelton Turbines with Artificial Defects—Part 2: Needles and Seat Rings |
| title_fullStr | Efficiency Testing of Pelton Turbines with Artificial Defects—Part 2: Needles and Seat Rings |
| title_full_unstemmed | Efficiency Testing of Pelton Turbines with Artificial Defects—Part 2: Needles and Seat Rings |
| title_short | Efficiency Testing of Pelton Turbines with Artificial Defects—Part 2: Needles and Seat Rings |
| title_sort | efficiency testing of pelton turbines with artificial defects part 2 needles and seat rings |
| topic | Pelton turbines hydro-abrasive erosion model Pelton test rig hill chart measurements Pelton nozzles needle and seat ring |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/11/2725 |
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